One Small Step : The incredible story of parkrun

‘It was the bonds I made with people through running that helped me to feel like I belonged.’

From childhood, Paul Sinton-Hewitt understood the intrinsic need for connection and belonging. After navigating the care system of South Africa in his childhood and enduring both his career and marriage breaking down years later, he turned to running as a lifeline. Longing for community and purpose, he had one simple idea: he would start a weekly run every Saturday morning in his local park. No prizes, no pressure, no fee. His only rule: he would always be there, whether anyone showed up or not.

From the thirteen runners who joined that first weekend, Paul created parkrun, which has grown into a truly global community over twenty years and united millions of people from all walks of life.

One Small Step is more than Paul’s inspiring memoir; it’s a blueprint for how coming together in simple ways can improve the health and happiness of millions worldwide.