July 13th 2024.
It's amazing how time flies when you're having fun. For Katherine and her sister Caroline, it only took eight years, three house moves, two jobs, and one pandemic to complete 50 parkruns. That's roughly 2,821 days of dedication and determination. But for them, it wasn't just about achieving a milestone, it was about the joy of being part of a weekly running club.
Their journey began in 2016, when they both decided to try their first parkrun together. Katherine had been running on her own for a while, but convinced her sister to join her for a run in the great outdoors. Caroline, who was more of a treadmill runner at the time, was a bit hesitant, but decided to give it a try on Katherine's birthday.
As they lined up for their first free 5km runs, they were nearly 300 miles apart – Caroline in Whitley Bay and Katherine in Mile End. Despite the distance, they both shared the same experience of traversing a figure-of-eight course four times, with the only distraction being the smell of KFC halfway through. Katherine enjoyed it enough to go back once, but Caroline's experience was a little more life-changing.
While Katherine continued her love affair with parkrun at various locations, Caroline became hooked – completing over 222 parkruns and discovering a newfound love for outdoor running. She even went on to complete numerous half-marathons and two full marathons, with plans to train for the New York marathon.
For Katherine, parkrun remained a casual hobby, but one that she was very serious about. She continued to participate in various events, making new friends and even volunteering at times. Her move to Shoreditch meant that she was between events, but she found a regular meetup with friends at Highbury Fields, where she tackled the challenging five-lap parkrun course seven times.
After three years at Highbury Fields, Katherine relocated to Rotherhithe and discovered Southwark parkrun – her local event and a lovely flat, leafy course with wide paths. She continued to run and volunteer, even achieving her personal best time of 24.26. But with a busy life, she couldn't always make it to parkrun on a Saturday morning. Sometimes, she just needed a break or a lie-in.
Her most recent move brought her to Catford, where she discovered yet another beautiful parkrun event at Mountsfield Park. This course was surprisingly muddy and hilly, but still open to everyone. One of the things that Katherine loves about parkrun is that there is no pressure or judgment. It doesn't matter how fast you run or what you wear – everyone is welcome.
For Katherine, parkrun has always been a fun and enjoyable experience, but for her sister Caroline, it has been life-changing. That's why, even though Caroline has completed more parkruns, Katherine has never felt competitive or stressed about it. She's just happy to see her sister loving something so much.
Their 50th parkrun was a special one, as it coincided with a trip up north to visit Caroline's new local event at Rising Sun. As they lined up for the big 5-0, they were joined by another runner who was also celebrating their 50th parkrun with a helium balloon. Caroline even organized a shout-out for Katherine, reminding her of how wonderful and thoughtful her sister is, and how supportive everyone at parkrun is.
The run itself didn't start off smoothly, as Katherine's Apple Watch crashed and her sun cream began melting into her eyes. But crossing the finish line, she felt a sense of accomplishment and happiness, multiplied by the milestone of her 50th parkrun. She wished she had done it sooner, but running it with her sister made it all the more memorable.
For some, completing a parkrun may seem like a small feat, but for others, it's an emotional moment. Everyone has their own reasons for participating – whether it's the start of a journey, the end of one, or just a stepping stone along the way. For some, it may even be a lifeline.
But one thing is for sure, running and parkrun can truly transform lives. Some people, like Caroline, are dedicated and rarely miss a run, while others, like Katherine, come when they can and are always welcomed with open arms. For Katherine, running is a hobby, a way to clear her head, and a challenge. She has her sights set on the New York marathon with her sister, and maybe even the big 100 parkruns in the future.
But no matter how long it takes her, she knows that no one is judging her. And that's the beauty of parkrun – it's not just for runners, it's for everyone. It's a community that supports and empowers each other, no matter their speed or abilities. And that's why Metro has partnered with parkrun – to share stories of inspiration and wellbeing, and to support mental health and societal cohesion. So, whether you run, walk, jog, or strut, come join us and be a part of something special.
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