This week Helen speaks to the man tasked with setting up parkrun in The Netherlands -  Deri Thomas. He tells us how the interest has grown to get one started and when we can expect it to be up and running. Vassos has a chat with Ben Smith whose latest project, the USA 2020 Challenge plans to raise £1 million for charity by running a marathon in each of the 50 US state capitals and Louise also joins us for her tourist report.

The Nordics, the Netherlands and the name dropper

Free Weekly Timed explores everything parkrun and is presented by Vassos Alexander and Helen Williams. The pair share experiences, chat to guests and interact with fellow parkrun runners as they debate the big talking points of the week.

To get in touch, email us at hello@freeweeklytimed.com or tweet us @freeweeklytimed. You can also get in touch via our website Freeweeklytimed.com

Fitness

Health & Fitness

Radio presenter Jenni Falconer is on the pod this week to chat about her love of running and parkrun. She tells us about her quirky way of counting steps while running.

Counting steps with Jenni Falconer

Andy Large is our guest this week who tells us how finding out he had diabetes prompted him to start going to parkrun.

Finding parkrun through adversity

The brilliant Malcolm from Bolton joins us this week to chat about his decision to retire from parkrun at the tender age of 91. He completed 100 parkruns at Bolton and has volunteered 205 times making him a parkrun legend. We also hear from Hugh Brasher, the London Marathon Event Director who tells us all about his love of parkrun.

Retiring from parkrun

Helen’s on her own this week as we celebrate junior parkrun turning 12. She speaks to the Crebbin family about why they got involved with parkrun and how it has become an integral part of their weekend. Volunteer Adrian Dixon also joins the pod to tell us why parkrun is so important to him and his mental health. And Helen’s kids Rosie and Aston make their FWT debuts.

Celebrating 12 years of junior parkrun

Author Matt Whyman is on the pod this week to talk about his new book - ‘Failure is an Option’. He tells us his story of a love of running that developed from school cross-country through parkruns, to one of the toughest events in the world. He also recounts the story of how Muhammad Ali changed his life.

The Nordics, the Netherlands and the name dropper

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