One Small Step by Paul Sinton-Hewitt

One Small Step is the autobiography of parkrun founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt. Published in 2025, it is described as The definitive account of a run that became a global movement. But it is more than just the story of parkrun, it is the often difficult life story of the man who started it.

My husband, parents and sister and I, who have collectively run nearly 1,500 parkruns, were lucky enough to go along to see Paul Sinton-Hewitt speak at Cheltenham Literature Festival recently. The large room was packed with faces we recognise from parkrun and local running clubs. Of course, after hearing him speak, I had to buy the book, get it signed and get a photo with the man himself.

Now in his mid-60s, Paul was born and grew up in South Africa. Neglected by his mother, she left her three young children when he was just 5. His father was unable to cope, so Paul and his brother and sister were put in care. After three years, they went to boarding school. Institutional living was hard on such a young child, who found himself the target of bullies. Reading about his childhood is really tough.

As an adult, he struggled to hold down relationships. He sought counselling after his first marriage ended. It was only then that he realised what an impact his childhood had had on his life.

Throughout adulthood, Paul had enjoyed running. He ran with clubs and colleagues. And he took part in the time trials, which were common in South Africa.

Fast forward to living in England, he was training really hard and chasing the dream of completing London marathon in 2:30. All the indications from previous races were good that he would make it. He then suffered a catastrophic injury, which would keep him away from running for years. Not only had he lost his exercise and his headspace, he’d also left his social life, which was all linked to running.

So he came up with an idea of replicating the time trials he’d enjoyed in South Africa, as a way to socialise with runners. And so Bushy Park Time Trials began in October 2004 with no insurance and no permissions. Just 13 runners, five volunteers, a clipboard and a set of washers from a DIY shop with numbers punched into them.

Gradually more runners turned up, then another Time Trial started in Wimbledon. And the rest is history…

One Small Step details the exponential growth of parkrun across the UK and around the world, including the addition of junior parkrun and parkrun in prisons. It talks about the development of the systems to make it work and the staff needed to keep it running.

It also mentions how his favourite volunteer role is parkwalking – basically walking to keep other walkers company, in case they feel they ‘shouldn’t’ be walking at a run. This is reassuring to me, as I volunteered as parkwalker a couple of times recently and found myself questioning whether it was a ‘proper’ volunteer role. Well if it’s good enough for the founder, it must be OK!

If you love parkrun as much as I do (or if you love it not quite as much as I do because it is literally my favourite thing!), you will love One Small Step.