Sophie Raworth: from BBC News to Marathon des Sables — Why parkrun still grounds me

This week on the Parkrunners Podcast, Catherine Stenson is joined by one of the UK’s most recognisable broadcasters — but also one of the parkrun community’s most inspiring runners — Sophie Raworth.

Many people know Sophie as a trusted BBC News presenter, but away from the newsroom she has quietly built an extraordinary running journey that began in her 40s and continues to redefine what’s possible in later life.

Now aged 58 — and fitter and stronger than ever — Sophie has completed more than 220 parkruns, countless marathons and ultra-distance events, including the legendary 250km Marathon des Sables across the Sahara Desert. She also achieved an astonishing parkrun PB of 20:31 at the age of 51 — proof that progress doesn’t have an expiry date.

In this uplifting and deeply honest conversation, Sophie shares:
🏃‍♀️ How running transformed her life after 40
🌳 Why parkrun became such an important part of her story
💪 Recovering mentally and physically after a fractured ankle forced her to stop running for a year
🔥 What drives her to keep challenging herself
📖 The inspiration behind her new bestselling book Running on Air
❤️ Why community, movement and Saturday mornings still matter so much

From her Richmond Park parkrun memories to ultra marathons in the desert, this episode is a powerful reminder that it is never too late to begin — and that one small step can truly change everything.

Whether you’re chasing a PB, coming back from injury, walking your first parkrun, or wondering if it’s “too late” to start… Sophie’s story will leave you inspired.

🎧 Listen now on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Buzzsprout and all major podcast platforms.

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