100 parkruns: Setting Goals, Finding Friends and Embracing the Challenge

Guest STRIDE Story By Trevor Hirst

For me, parkrun is about much more than running 5km. It’s about setting goals, challenging myself, staying active and enjoying the people I meet along the way.

I’m naturally a goal-driven person. Throughout my career and personal life, I’ve always believed in setting targets, taking responsibility for achieving them and holding myself accountable. Having something to work towards gives me focus and motivation, and that philosophy extends to my running.

Every Saturday morning, parkrun provides an opportunity to get out, exercise and enjoy a little friendly competition. What started as a weekly run has developed into something much more significant, and recently I celebrated completing my 100th parkrun.

More than a Saturday morning run

One of the things I enjoy most about parkrun is its social side. Over time, I’ve built up a network of fellow runners who have become genuine friends. There’s something special about sharing a common interest, encouraging one another and catching up each week, often over a coffee afterwards.

Although we’re all there for different reasons, there’s a shared understanding that simply turning up and taking part is an achievement in itself. Of course, it’s nice to run well, and there’s always a little competitive spirit, but the experience is about much more than finishing time.

As I’ve got older, my priorities have evolved. I’m realistic enough to recognise that I’m unlikely to be competing for a win or setting a personal best every week. That doesn’t mean I’ve lost my competitive edge; I’ve simply found different ways to challenge myself and measure success.

Becoming a parkrun tourist

More recently, I decided to introduce a new challenge: visiting a different parkrun location every week.

Having completed my 90th parkrun, I set myself the target of running at nine different venues for runs 91 to 99, building towards my 100th event. It was a simple idea, but it added a completely new dimension to my Saturday mornings.

Being a parkrun tourist involves much more than turning up somewhere new. I need to work out where I’m going, how long the journey will take, where to park, what facilities are available and how to find the start. Then there’s the unfamiliar route itself, along with the opportunity to meet a new group of runners.

Each week brings its own little logistical exercise. I enjoy that process. It gives me something to plan, something to look forward to and somewhere new to experience.

There’s also a real sense of satisfaction in arriving somewhere unfamiliar, completing the run and knowing I’ve achieved another small personal goal.

The running is only part of the adventure. Discovering new places and expanding my network of running friends have become equally important.

The next challenge is already taking shape

One of the great features of parkrun is the range of challenges available through the parkrun app. These provide additional goals for those of us who enjoy having something to work towards.

I’m making good progress with several of them, but the parkrun alphabet is particularly high on my radar. The idea of completing parkruns at locations beginning with different letters adds another layer to my weekly tourism challenge.

Now, when I’m choosing where to run next, I’m not just looking for somewhere new; I’m also thinking about which letter I can tick off.

For someone who enjoys planning, setting targets and being accountable for achieving them, it’s an ideal combination!

Of course, not every challenge will go to plan, and that’s part of the appeal. Sometimes the practicalities of getting to a venue, the weather or the route itself will present unexpected difficulties. The important thing is to adapt, keep going and enjoy the experience.

Celebrating the achievement

I know there are many parkrunners who have completed hundreds of events, and plenty who have achieved far more than I have. But I think it’s important to recognise and celebrate our own milestones rather than constantly comparing ourselves with others.

Completing 100 parkruns was a significant achievement for me, and I’m genuinely proud of it. Each event represents a Saturday morning when I made the effort to get out, stay active and do something positive for myself.

The milestone is also a reminder of the friendships I’ve developed, the places I’ve discovered and the challenges I’ve taken on along the way.

My focus now is on continuing that journey, exploring more venues, progressing through the parkrun challenges and, of course, working towards my next milestone of 250 events.

Why I’d recommend giving it a go

For anyone who hasn’t tried parkrun, I’d absolutely recommend giving it a go. You don’t need to be a fast runner, and you certainly don’t need to be competitive. You can run, jog or walk the 5km at your own pace, and the welcoming community makes it a great way to get started.

For those already taking part, perhaps there’s an opportunity to introduce a new challenge of your own. It might be visiting a different venue, improving your consistency, working towards a milestone or simply making the commitment to turn up every Saturday.

For me, parkrun has become a valuable part of maintaining an active lifestyle, setting personal goals and building friendships.

It’s a reminder that achievement doesn’t always have to mean winning or being the best. Sometimes, it’s about showing up, challenging yourself and enjoying the journey.

And if you’re a fellow parkrun tourist, keep an eye out. I might just bump into you at one of my future Saturday morning adventures!

Trevor Hirst is a Non-Executive Director at Spark Academy, with a professional background in engineering, strategy and governance. A keen parkrunner, he recently celebrated his 100th event.

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