Valentine's Day Parkrun Proposal Captivates London Crowd
In a heartwarming and unexpected turn of events, a running couple celebrated a Valentine's Day they will never forget by getting engaged in front of more than 2,300 participants at the Valentines parkrun in Ilford, London. Justin and Laura, who traveled from Ashford for the event, shared their joyous moment moments after crossing the finish line at the UK's busiest parkrun this weekend.
A Surprise in the Finish Funnel
As Laura collected her finish token in the densely packed finish funnel, Justin dropped to one knee to propose, sparking cheers and applause from fellow runners, walkers, and spectators. Laura, who is currently recovering from an injury and completed the 5k event by walking, initially mistook the gesture for Justin tying his shoelaces. She recounted, "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."
Four Months of Planning for a Perfect Moment
Justin had meticulously planned the proposal for four months, seizing the opportunity as Valentine's Day fell on a Saturday for the first time in 11 years. He saw the parkrun as the ideal setting and quietly coordinated with friends from his local running club to ensure familiar faces were present to witness the special occasion. The couple first met four years ago at a church food bank, with Justin participating in parkruns since 2015 and Laura joining him in August 2023, making running a central part of their relationship.
Overwhelming Support from the Parkrun Community
Since the engagement, Justin and Laura have been flooded with messages of congratulations from the parkrun community, highlighting the supportive and inclusive nature of the event. They expressed their gratitude, saying, "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." The couple is now looking forward to completing a parkrun in Ashford when they get married in September, continuing to integrate their love for running into their life together.
Parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5k event held every Saturday morning in parks and open spaces across the UK, run entirely by volunteers and open to people of all abilities. This engagement story underscores the community spirit and memorable moments that can unfold at these popular gatherings.
