From 13 runners in Bushy Park to more than 2,500 events across 23 countries and millions of lives changed, Paul Sinton-Hewitt's story is one of the most remarkable in modern sport and community building.
In this special episode of *Masters on the Move*, Justin Hill sits down with the founder of parkrun to explore the journey behind a movement that has transformed Saturday mornings around the world.
Paul shares the adversity and trauma that shaped his life, how running helped him navigate mental health challenges, and the extraordinary series of events that led to the first Bushy Park Time Trial in 2004. He reveals the philosophy that keeps parkrun free, inclusive and volunteer-driven, reflects on milestones including the one millionth parkrun event and the first 1,000 parkrunner, and celebrates the incredible volunteers who make it all possible.
They also discuss:
• Paul's early life and the experiences that shaped his values
• How running became a powerful tool for mental wellbeing
• The injury that unexpectedly led to the creation of parkrun
• Why parkrun was designed to be free and held every week
• The story behind the name \"parkrun\" and the famous lowercase lettering
• The evolution of results emails and milestone shirts
• The importance of volunteers and community connection
• Bruce Fordyce's influence on parkrun in South Africa
• The growth of parkrun in New Zealand
• How communities can start their own parkrun
• Paul's advice for living a meaningful and connected life
Whether you're a runner, walker, volunteer, or someone searching for belonging and purpose, this conversation is a powerful reminder that one small step can change everything.
📖 Paul's book: *One Small Step*
🌍 Are you part of the parkrun community? Share your parkrun story in the comments and let us know where you join your local event.
👍 If you enjoyed this conversation, please like, subscribe and share the episode to help more people discover the inspiring stories of Masters on the Move.
#MastersOnTheMove #parkrun #PaulSintonHewitt #RunningCommunity #Volunteering #MentalHealth #BruceFordyce #NewZealandparkrun #RunningPodcast #HealthyAging
00:00 The Extraordinary Beginning
03:36 Childhood Trauma and Its Impact
06:44 The Role of Running in Mental Health
12:16 Lessons from Adversity
14:15 The Birth of Parkrun
24:45 Gaining Structure and Permission
29:32 The Evolution of Results and Communication
34:34 Rebranding to Parkrun
37:36 The Evolution of Parkrun's Identity
39:00 Milestones and Community Impact
45:53 The Role of Volunteers in Parkrun
56:38 Encouraging Participation and Inclusivity
01:00:07 Reflections on Personal Connections and Legacy
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