Free Weekly Timed

BBC Sport commentator Andrew Cotter joins us this week to talk about his dogs Olive and Mabel, who rose to fame during lockdown when he would commentate on them performing regular dog acts.  We also catch up with Josephine from the “Ugandan Crew” from Burgess Park in South London.

Our special guest this week is Sandy Gilmour, who answered parkrun founder Paul Sinton-Hewitt’s offer of a (not)parkrun round Bushy Park. She tells us how it came about and why there was more talking than running! We also hear from parkrun’s newest recruit Callum who shares his tips on how to impress during a job interview.

As parkrun prepares to resume in Tasmania, we speak to Ivor Leonard about the good news. He tells us how the community has filled the gaps without parkrun over the last 6 months. Vassos and Helen share their stories from last weekend’s London Marathon and we receive a rather lengthy email.

parkrun's Global Head of Communications Russ Jefferys joins us to talk about parktoberfest, which encourages people to get together with friends, family and neighbours to inspire each other to complete as many (not)parkruns as possible in the month of October. We get a sneak preview of Vassos’ chat with Paul Sinton-Hewitt on the eve of parkrun’s 16th anniversary, and we check in with the return of parkrun in the Falkland Islands.

parkrun CEO Nick Pearson joins us to explain the news that parkrun events in England will not restart at the end of October as planned due to the rise of Covid-19 cases across the UK. Helen checks in with the return of parkrun in parts of Australia and in an FWT first, we have music from a marching band.

Visually impaired parkrunner Kelly Barton joins us this week to talk about finding love at and with parkrun. We also hear from parkrun’s Head of Health & Wellbeing Chrissie Wellington. And we learn Vassos doesn’t practice what he preaches!

Tim Hollingsworth, the boss of Sport England joins us to chat about their part in helping parkrun return in England. We hear more of your bad jokes and Helen speaks to someone who helped Witney get to the top of the (not)parkrun leaderboard.

In this special edition of FWT, parkrun Global Chief Executive Officer Nick Pearson joins us for a detailed discussion around the announcement of parkrun's intent to resume events in England toward the end of October.

Amanda Jennings from Co-op joins us to chat about their upgraded partnership with parkrun and some of the initiatives they've been involved with. Mike Weed is back to tell us about his review  regarding the transmission of Covid-19 in outdoor settings. And Vassos and Helen disagree on whether an email we received is our best or our worst!

Ahead of publishing his findings, we hear from Professor Mike Weed who has been commissioned by parkrun to carry out a review of the evidence regarding the transmission of COVID-19 in outdoor settings. Also, Helen finds out how to improve your running technique.

Our special guest this week is Martin Yelling, who tells us about his new project Stormbreak - which aims to improve mental health in children by promoting physical activity in primary schools. We also hear about a listener's experience of running their local parkrun course in reverse. You can follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/freeweeklytimed

parkrun’s Chief Operating Officer Tom Williams is back again this week to answer your questions after publishing the COVID Framework for how parkrun events will return. You can follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/freeweeklytimed

parkrun’s Chief Operating Officer Tom Williams talks us through the framework for how parkrun events will return, when the time is right. You can follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/freeweeklytimed

BBC TV and radio presenter Rachel Burden joined us for a chat this week. She tells us how a trip to Moscow introduced her to parkrun and why it is now part of her weekend routine. Kirsty Woodbridge from HQ talks us through her role as Communications Manager and how parkrun has changed her life.

After setting himself the challenge of breaking 20 minutes for his downhill (not)parkrun, Vassos talks us through how he got on. Mike Graney, parkrun’s Head of Analysis joins us to discuss some of the surveys that have been done regarding the return of parkrun and we hear from Taz, who tells us what it is like turning up on a Saturday morning wearing a hijab.

With the huge success of (not)parkrun, we speak to HQ’s Technical Lead and IT wizard, Ian Rutson. Ian talks us through some of the numbers and why it’s been such a success worldwide. We also hear from the ED whose parkrun has the highest number of walkers, and the listeners help Vassos find his ultimate downhill 5k. You can follow us on Twitter here https://twitter.com/freeweeklytimed

As parkrun returns in New Zealand, we speak to Trevor Masters, Event Director at East End parkrun to find out how it all went. parkrun COO Tom Williams tells us what HQ learnt from that first weekend back. Finally, we speak to an avid parkrunner who has just finished an amazing challenge for charity… and he’s from Helen’s hometown! You can follow us on Twitter here: https://twitter.com/freeweeklytimed

parkrun CEO Nick Pearson is back on the pod this week. He tells us about the partnership with World Athletics, why the New Year’s Day double is no more and the latest on puppy Apollo! Helen chats to someone doing 100 parkruns in 100 days, and the stats quiz returns... sort of!

To mark the two year anniversary of the parkrun practice initiative, we’re joined by parkrun’s Global Head of Health and Wellbeing Chrissie Wellington. She tells us how proud she is of it and how much of a team effort it was to get off the ground. We also check in with two doctors who have different stories about how parkrun has helped them and their local community.

With the announcement that parkrun will resume at the beginning of July in New Zealand, we speak to COO Tom Williams. He tells us how it happened quicker than they expected and why it’s a boost for all parkrunners around the world. Helen breaks down some of the myths of running during pregnancy with Andrew Shennan, Professor of Obstetrics at King’s College London and Vassos gives us an update on his plans to be a running coach. Follow us on Twitter here https://twitter.com/freeweeklytimed