What did Laura Kenny achieve at the Alderley Park parkrun? The five-time Olympic gold medallist participated in this event on March 17, 2026, as part of the National Lottery Open Week, which ran from March 7 to 15.
Dame Laura Kenny, who is also the president of Team England, expressed her delight in attending the parkrun, stating, “I love living in the area and was delighted to come to parkrun today to celebrate National Lottery Open Week.” Her presence at the event highlighted the importance of community and fitness.
Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k event held every Saturday morning in parks and open spaces around the UK, and it is supported by National Lottery funding. More than 1,300 parkruns and junior parkruns across the UK benefit from this support, which raises approximately 32 million pounds each week.
During her visit, Dame Laura Kenny emphasized the significance of belonging at events like parkrun and the Commonwealth Games. She noted, “Parkrun brings everyone together. It doesn’t matter how fast you are or how fit you are, anyone can attend.” This sentiment resonated with many participants, as reflected in the enthusiastic reactions from attendees.
Tamara Morewood, a participant, remarked, “Her passion for getting people active and enjoying the outdoors was incredibly infectious and it made today’s event feel really special.” Similarly, Jane Morewood noted, “The reaction from everyone was just wonderful. You could see their smiles from a mile off.” This illustrates the positive impact of such community events.
As Dame Laura Kenny continues her journey, she is also training for the London Marathon, further showcasing her commitment to fitness and community engagement. The future holds exciting prospects for her as she balances her athletic pursuits with her role in promoting health and well-being.
While the event was a celebration of fitness and community spirit, details remain unconfirmed about any future initiatives that may arise from this engagement.