Surprise proposal steals the show at the UK’s busiest parkrun

Justin and Laura, who were travelling from Ashford, got engaged moments after crossing the finish line at the UK’s busiest parkrun this weekend, taking place in Ilford, east London.

As Laura collected her finish token in the packed finish funnel, Justin dropped to one knee, prompting celebration from fellow participants and spectators.

Laura, who is currently recovering from injury and completed the event by walking, admitted she initially thought Justin was tying his shoelaces. She said: “I thought he could not have chosen a better place to do his lace up at the end of the busiest finish funnel I have ever been in!

“When I realised that he was proposing, I was surprised and very happy to say yes.”

The couple first met four years ago at a church food bank. Justin has been taking part in parkruns since 2015 with Laura joining him in August 2023. Running has now become a central part of their relationship.

Justin had planned the proposal for four months. With Valentine’s Day falling on a Saturday for the first time in 11 years, he saw parkrun as the perfect opportunity. He quietly coordinated the proposal with friends from his local running club to ensure familiar faces were there to witness the special moment.

Since getting engaged, they have been inundated with messages from the parkrun community, and they are looking forward to completing a parkrun in Ashford when they get married in September. They said: “The parkrun community has shown us how amazing you all are. It has made us feel so special and loved in ways that cannot be underestimated.”

parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k event held every Saturday morning in parks and open spaces, run by volunteers and open to people of all abilities.

To find out more about parkrun and where your nearest event to run, walk or volunteer is, visit parkrun.org.uk.