Longrun Meadow Parkrun's Hannah Taunton to compete at Tokyo Paralympics

On Friday, September 3, Hannah will compete in the women's 1500 metres T20 event for athletes with intellectual disabilities.

Last year, she set the women’s T20 5000 metres world record at the British Athletics Championships in Manchester.

Before leaving for Japan, Hannah said: “I am excited and nervous, but very proud to be representing Great Britain at the Tokyo Paralympics.

“I would like to thank Taunton Athletics Club and my coach Charlotte (Fisher), Running Forever Running Club, Longrun Meadow Parkrun and other local Parkruns for their support.”

Hannah, 30, has taken part in 163 timed runs at Taunton’s Longrun Meadow Parkrun and has completed 208 Parkruns in total.

She also enjoys volunteering as a marshal at her ‘home Parkrun’ in Taunton, which takes place just down the road from Castle School, where she used to be a pupil.

Joint event director and volunteer coordinator at Longrun Meadow Parkrun, Jamie Hill, said Parkrun provides a great opportunity for new and experienced runners to improve as part of a supportive group.

He said: "The thing about Longrun Meadow Parkrun particularly is that it’s a real family, a real supportive group.

"It enables people of all abilities to come down and run, and one of the things about Hannah being part of Parkrun is that she is an inspiration to a lot of people.

"She’s often the first lady coming across the line, and she’s there scanning, marshalling and bringing in some of the last people."

Hannah's parents, Gill and Hugh Taunton, will be watching her compete at the Paralympics from their eldest daughter Rebecca’s home in Thornbury, Gloucestershire, with their son who will travel from Cardiff.

Because of the eight-hour time difference between Japan and the UK, they will have to stay up until the early hours to watch Hannah race – but the late night will not dampen their enthusiasm.

"We’re really, really excited," said Gill. 

"We have a supporters’ box from British Athletics - which Hugh is wearing a T-shirt from at the moment - and there’s tea and flags and balloons that we’re going to put up when we’re there on Friday."

Hannah spent just over a week at the British Athletics Holding Camp in Yokohama before she moved into the Olympic village.

"She’s really enjoying herself, despite all the restrictions. She’s absolutely loving it," said Gill.

The different time zones and Hannah’s twice-daily training makes contacting each other more challenging than usual, but the family has made it work.

Hugh said: "We have contact with her every few days, and we’ve got to time the communication carefully to make sure that she’s not asleep or we’re not asleep." 

Before Longrun Meadow Parkrun took a 497-day hiatus because of coronavirus, Hannah was a regular both as a runner and as a volunteer.

And when she returns to Somerset, it will not be long until she's back at the meadow.  

"Parkrun is a very inclusive place to run," said Gill.

"Hannah’s just loved the camaraderie and encouragement. She has a learning disability, and people have just been so supportive of her and looked after her.

"She has come first lady numerous times in this Parkrun and other Parkruns, and has made many friends coming here, so it’s really important for her.

"She’s actually volunteering on the first Saturday she comes back. She’s going to be the tail walker - the person at the back.  

"She doesn’t want to start training for a couple of weeks until she gets back properly, so she’ll encourage people who are not quite so fast, who are perhaps doing their first Parkrun, or are here because they’ve come as a Parkrun tourist."

Parkrun returned to Longrun Meadow on July 24, with members of the local running community eager for it to re-start.

"The anticipation of Parkrun coming back was palpable. People were emailing us asking how soon we’d be back and when it would happen," said Jamie.

"On the first week, we were slightly worried that we’d be overwhelmed with visitors because surrounding Parkruns weren’t able to go ahead, but we ended up with about 250 which was quite manageable – less than we’d normally see.

"Each week, we’re seeing the numbers creeping up as people are getting their confidence back."

Across the country, Parkrun prides itself on being a community event, and that community spirit is evident in Taunton.  

Next week, Longrun Meadow's members will be running in blue in honour of one of their friends, who sadly lost his battle with cancer recently.

Jamie said: "We’ve got people with mental health issues, people with disabilities, people fighting cancer, and it’s all about including people and starting people on their journey into enjoying running.

"Some people have really transformed. There are people here who before had to walk the 5k and are now running marathons."

Parkrun relies on volunteers but they are sometimes in short supply.

People who take part are encouraged to try volunteering once or twice a year – something Jamie says “is a lot easier than people think”.

“We struggle for volunteers from time to time, but every time I put out an appeal, people come forward and we always manage to fill the roles,” he said.

“People thank me for what I do, but really, Parkrun’s given me a lot. I’ve made many, many friends here. 

“To be back, to have that one thing a week to look forward to on a Saturday, is marvellous for me.”

On Saturday, 403 people ran, jogged or walked the course, many of whom will be rooting for Somerset’s very own Hannah Taunton on Friday.  

"We’re incredibly proud,” said Hugh.  

"She’s come through a long journey to get to this point, which has had its challenges and difficulties. We’re also really pleased with the role model that she is.

"There’s so many people we know within the running community and the other friends she has in the area, particularly those who have disabilities, who have been so encouraged by what Hannah’s achieved."

Ahead of her race on Friday, Jamie said: "I’d say to Hannah, just go and do what you do. Run fast - that’s it. And Good luck!"

For more information about Longrun Meadow Parkrun, visit its website or Facebook page.