The Queens of Burgess parkrun pt2 - Josephine Ocaka joins the 500 club - Burgess parkrun #614 - 16/05/26

Josephine joins the parkrun 500 club. Photo credit Geoffrey Ochieng.

Throughout the week, I kept hearing reports that on Saturday, London would be the destination for the Unite the Kingdom march and that people from outside the city would be travelling to take part.  The reports were right, Josephine Ocaka, one of the Queens of Burgess parkrun, was about to complete her 500th parkrun, and friends, family, runners, walkers, Run Directors and Event Directors from all around the kingdom turned out in an incredible display of unity, appreciation and celebration. 

People came from near and far to celebrate with Josephine. Plot credit Geoffrey.

It was back in 1989 that Josephine came to the UK as a refugee. She and her family had to escape the tragedy and suffering that war brings. Not all of her family and school friends made it, she came with a heavy heart. Like so many who come to this country, she knuckled down, integrated, worked, whilst trying to heal.

Parkrun started for Josephine in April 2015, when she encouraged colleagues to sign up for her local parkrun as a team-building exercise, she said, ‘...before parkrun I didn’t run for anything, not even a bus, but because I signed up so many people I worked with, I couldn’t let the other members of the team down. I had to do it’.  

Immediately after feeling the benefits of running, Josephine encouraged everyone in her Ugandan community to get involved. This is the origin of the strong Ugandan contingent, which is a jewel in the Burgess parkrun crown. The Ugandan takeover of our event in October, where they share their culture, food, music and laughter with everyone, is a highlight of the running calendar. 

This was my 194th parkrun with Josephine which has included completing the Southwark Slam. Over the last 11 years, her sparkle, enthusiasm and cobalt smile have spread from Burgess parkrun, to the London running community, throughout the UK and beyond. 

At Mauerweg parkrun for Unity Day 2026; https://www.nuhorizons.uk/post/ich-bin-ein-berliner-germany-unity-day-mauerweg-parkrun-29-03-10-25

Josephine’s championing of parkrun currently includes 301 volunteer credits across 86 locations, and it doesn’t stop there. Going from 5k to conquering marathons, she is a Run Leader, Ambassador of This girl can, and is involved in many other initiatives, encouraging others to run, walk, and stay fit. 

Josephine you really are awesome. Photo credit Geoffrey Ochieng.

Paul Sinton-Hewitt created parkrun with inclusivity at its core. Josephine and the Ugandan community are a living, breathing embodiment of Paul’s vision. Josephine said, ‘I feel a sense of belonging with the parkrun community. I’ve met a lot of people who’ve become my friends and a great support system’. 

Josephine has taken Paul Sinton-Hewitt’s ideas of inclusivity and spread them near and far. The guard of honour she received today was a testament to her commitment and contribution to others. 

https://video.wixstatic.com/video/b09456_30259b9d711c4725ac9239d6c4be6a8a/480p/mp4/file.mp4

How to join the 500 club. Video credit Samuel Olara.

Thank you, Josephine, for everything you do and here’s to many more running adventures at Burgess parkrun and beyond. 

Happy running, walking and/or volunteering.  

www.nuhorizons.uk

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.