In this episode of The Parkrunners Podcast, Catherine is joined by Labour MP Nick Smith, Member of Parliament for Blaenau Gwent in South Wales and Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on parkrun. From a New Year’s resolution in 2017 to more than 240 parkruns and 50 volunteer stints, Nick shares how a Saturday morning 5k became a non-negotiable part of his life – for both his health and his community.

With The Economist recently dubbing parkrun an “unwitting British public-health success” and valuing its benefits to Britain at up to £668 million a year, this conversation dives into why parkrun is now firmly on Westminster’s radar.

Nick explains what the parkrun APPG actually does in Parliament, how MPs are thinking about inactivity, health inequalities and community sport, and why volunteering is just as powerful as crossing the finish line.

He also reflects on running marathons for charity, the importance of inclusivity and accessibility, and his hopes for parkrun’s future across the UK and beyond.

Stay tuned to the end for a quick-fire round where Nick reveals his favourite parkrun course, go-to volunteer role, and the one change he’d love to see for the parkrun community.

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