On his 85th birthday, Eric Hughes of Bridgend proved age is just a number as he raced alongside his great-grandson at a Parkrun event, an experience he described as unforgettable. “I planned to walk, but when I got there with my great-grandson, I decided to run”.
A lifelong runner and medalist in 18 British Masters Championships, Eric has been a passionate volunteer at over 500 Parkruns, helping to organize events that now see hundreds of participants. He believes these community runs are cultivating the next generation of athletes.
Eric is particularly inspired by seeing children, some as young as four, develop their natural talent through Parkrun. “They might start running with their parents, but soon they insist on running on their own,” he shared.
The director of Porthcawl Parkrun praised Eric as a role model and vital part of the volunteer community. Eric’s competitive spirit remains strong, as shown on his birthday, when he celebrated not only his own passion for running but the joy of passing it down to future generations.