One Small Step - The incredible story of parkrun

You''ve seen them, haven''t you? Hundreds of smiling, slightly out-of-breath people running around your local park every Saturday morning. (You may even be one of them!) Well, this is the surprisingly heartwarming origin story of parkrun, told by the person who started it all - Paul Sinton-Hewitt. Paul''s love affair with running started as a lifeline during a tough childhood, offering a taste of freedom. Years later, sidelined by injury and feeling adrift, he had a simple idea: a free, weekly timed run for anyone who wanted to join. No pressure, no prizes, but guaranteed to happen every weekend come rain or shine (and yes, even on Christmas Day!). From a humble group of thirteen slightly bewildered runners, parkrun exploded. Now, twenty years later, it''s a global community of over 10 million runners, walkers, and enthusiastic cheerers. Proving that the simplest ideas can bring together people from every walk of life in pursuit of fitness, happiness, and community spirit. Whether you''re a seasoned marathoner, or someone who once thought about going for a jog, One Small Step reveals how something as easy as turning up in a park on a Saturday morning can change your life, start a global movement, and maybe, just maybe, make the world a slightly better place.

About the author

Paul Sinton-Hewitt has been recognized for his contributions to fitness and public health, receiving awards such as the CBE from Queen Elizabeth II for services to grassroots sports participation in 2014 and the Albert Medal from the RSA. One Small Step is his first book, written in collaboration with close friend and fellow runner Matt Whyman.

Product details

• Authors: Paul Sinton-Hewitt
• Publisher: Pan Books
• Languages: English
• Age Recommendation: from age 18
• Product format: Paperback
• Release: 19.02.2026
• EAN: 9781035065073
• ISBN: 978-1-0-3506507-3
• No. of pages: 304
• Subjects: Guides > Sport; London, Greater London, SPORTS & RECREATION / Running & Jogging, Memoirs, HISTORY / Africa / South / Republic of South Africa, HISTORY / Europe / Great Britain / 21st Century, True stories of heroism, endurance & survival, Biography and non-fiction prose, True stories of heroism, endurance and survival, Early 21st century c 2000 to c 2050, Running and jogging, HEALTH & FITNESS / Mental Health, Coping with / advice about mental health issues, BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Memoirs