Dame Kelly Holmes Finishes 5K Parkrun, Then Doubles Back To High Five Runners

The Olympian gave these runners the motivation they needed.

If there’s one thing guaranteed to motivate you during a run, it’s a high five from Dame Kelly Holmes.

The Olympian posted a video of herself taking part in her local Parkrun this weekend. Unsurprisingly, Holmes had energy to spare at the free, 5K route, so she doubled back on herself to provide other runners with some encouragement.

This is what happens after a lot of my parkruns. I run backwards and cheer everyone on 👏🏽🏃🏻♀️🏃🏾♂️🏃🏻♂️🏃🏽♀️🏃🏼♀️
I enjoy running because it makes me feel good and if I can inspire others to keep going as well it’s a win win@parkrunUK @parkrunIE pic.twitter.com/lcAFTBIL11

— Kelly Holmes (@damekellyholmes) June 16, 2019

The feel-good video soon received more than 18,000 likes, inspiring people to share stories of encouragement they’ve received and witnessed at their own Parkrun.

I returned to parkrun yesterday after a dual organ transplant and about two years off from parkrun and was welcomed back with open arms! It was such a lovely feeling and so welcoming! ❤️parkrun!

— Lydia Beckett (@Lyddiebeckett) June 16, 2019

I love that at our park run those a bit quicker often walk back past the slower ones (me) and cheer them on. Its fab and what motivated me to finish!

— Rachel Mackay (@racheljmackay) June 16, 2019

What a great thing to do! There are a few runners that do this at the Rushmoor parkrun and it really does give you a boost.

— Mr White (@MatwhiteQPR) June 16, 2019

I love this! Love that Parkrun is a run, not a race. Inclusive of all abilities, children and dogs and that no one comes last! Plus it often ends with coffee and cake 😀😀!

— Fiona Blyth (@Drfionab) June 16, 2019

HuffPost UK previously spoke to amateur runners about the difference Parkrun has made to their lives.

Student Charlotte Saunders, 20, from Newcastle, said she could barely complete the first kilometre on her first week, but thanks to the encouragement of regular runners was motivated to return. Seven months later she ran her first 10K for charity.

“I’m really proud of my achievements,” she said. “The good thing with Parkrun is that there’s always a tail runner, so even if you’re slow, you’ll never be the last person.”

For Peter Johnson, 49, from Ross on Wye, signing up to Parkrun was a way to lose weight, but an unexpected benefit was the boost it gave his social life.

“It was pretty intimidating to just turn up at Parkrun and I was anxious about being last,” he recalled. “I was always last at school, but everyone was so friendly and there was zero pressure from anyone.”

To anyone thinking about giving it a go, he said: “Just do it. It doesn’t matter how slow you are, you can walk it and no one cares. It’s all about taking one step forward.”

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