Happy 13th birthday Southwark parkrun + Move Against Cancer: moving for the Big Half and take off for the 2026 Southwark Slam!
After a week of changeable weather, I stepped out of my home and walked through Burgess Park to Southwark Park for the commencement of the 2026 Southwark Slam, which is completing all the parkruns in the London Borough of Southwark in the month of September.
I started this ‘challenge’ in September 2015 following the death of my foster mum in August that year, as a tribute to her.
It’s become a great way to visit different parts of my Borough, gain some tourism credits and sample different cafes; it’s become part of my annual running calendar, completing the Slam with friends new and old.
Having joined the Volunteer 250 Club last week, I’ve decided to volunteer at each event of the 2026 Southwark Slam and for this event I was down to do the pre-event set-up.
Parkrun is about running, and it’s also about walking, volunteering, hanging out, meeting up, making friends and being a human. Guided by Southwark regulars Mehboob, Norm and Joe, I got to work setting up and assisting with their very impressive double-funnel operation. The sun was up, the sky was blue, and the vibe was great for their birthday.
Jane, a Southwark regular, led the first-timers' welcome to new runners and many visitors using the event as a shake-out run before tomorrow’s Big Half half marathon in London. Tourists had come from Portugal, South Africa, Colombia and India, making for a truly international field!
Southwark parkrun starts on a grass lawn with a long start line. It always reminds me of 'The Charge' by the Riders of Rohan at the Battle of the Pelennor Fields in The Lord of the Rings 🙂
Orla, today’s Run Director, shared today’s announcements, counted us down, and then we were off, with me pretending to be King Theoden, leading the line, for the first 3 secs 🙂
The start line arrows runners onto the park path for an anti-clockwise three laps, the third being slightly shorter before finishing on the grass and entering the magic of the double funnel.
The course takes you past the boating lake, the beautiful pavilion cafe and the impressive athletics track. The course is largely sheltered from direct sunlight; the paths are well maintained and wide. As always, there were plenty of marshals and a strong sense of camaraderie filled the air.
Today’s first female finisher was Dee O’Brien
Today’s first male finisher was Josh Halderthay
The 569 participants included members of the Southwark Branch of 5k Your Way, Move Against Cancer. This group encourages people living with and beyond cancer, their families, friends and those providing cancer services to attend. Exercise is one of the most important things anyone diagnosed with cancer can do to enhance their well-being and improve health outcomes both during and after treatment. You can find out more about what they do by clicking here.
I first encountered the ‘Big C’ when I heard it was whispered as the cause of my mother's death when I was 6 years old. Over the past 20 years, it’s visited numerous cousins and a close friend. Then in 2015, it took my foster mother’s life. Cancer has been a shadowy companion for most of my life.
According to Cancer Research UK there were 169,979 deaths from cancer between 2022 - 2024. Speaking to members of the 5k Your Way group was energising and inspiring.
Today’s event wouldn’t have happened without the 45-strong volunteer team. I wanted to highlight that you can volunteer and run; simply speak to the Run Director about the many roles you might want to give a go. You can look at their future roster by clicking here.
Next Saturday I’ll be heading to Peckham Rye parkrun for the second leg of the Southwark Slam. You can look at their volunteer roster by clicking here. I’m already looking forward to seeing lots of familiar faces and other ‘Slammers’.
Happy running, walking, or volunteering.
How parkrun began
You can read about how parkrun was created by the founder, Paul Sinton-Hewitt, a care leaver, in his book ‘One Small Step’, The Definitive Account of how a run became a Global Movement by clicking here.
This one touched me. RIP to those who have passed on ♥️ Well done on your continued engagement and community building - you are one of the greats. Enjoy your season of slamming.