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. From a local park initiative to a global fitness revolution, One Small Step shares the extraordinary journey of parkrun, proving how one person's vision can mobilize millions worldwide towards health, happiness and community. Paul Sinton-Hewitt has been recognised 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.
"Parkrun gave me hope and a community in a time where I felt lost. Paul's contribution to the world has helped so many people and understanding his story behind the worldwide movement is truly inspiring. This book is more than just a story about how parkrun began - it's a powerful reminder about why we lace up our shoes in the first place" -Georgia Bell, Olympian and British 1500m record holder
"Paul's story is as fascinating and surprising as it is inspiring. His legacy is of the greatest modern feel-good success stories" -Vassos Alexander, sports reporter and author of Swimmingly
"This book is perfect to inspire those to take those first steps into running, it shows there's still real strength and kindness in the world. Parkrun proves we haven't lost faith in each other" -Aimee Faulkner
