The Dolphin Runner
How inappropriate to call this planet Earth, when it's quite clearly Ocean
The Ocean is an incredible 322 million cubic miles of water - 97% of the water found on the planet. It covers 71% of the Earth's surface, provides 99% of its living space and is home to 80% of all biodiversity. The Ocean produces half of Earth's oxygen and absorbs 90% of the excess heat generated through global warming. Despite our health and survival being dependent upon the Ocean, it is the least invested in Global Goal and receives just 1% of global climate finance. Only 10% of the Ocean is covered by some form of marine protection.
Early days
My love for the ocean started when I was 4 years old in the early 1970s and collecting wildlife cards which came with a weekly magazine. I was fascinated by the diverse range of animals, the ability of some of them to thrive miles from the surface and the fact that so many looked even stranger than the aliens from outer space dreamt up in science fiction.
I particularly loved whales and dolphins, the fact that the blue whale is the largest animal which has ever lived and how so many of the 94 species were so intelligent. One species stood out - the Baiji or Yangtze River Dolphin. It was so pretty and yet the picture made it look so vulnerable.
I remember the moment in 2017 when for some reason, the Baiji sprung once again into my mind. I knew the Yangtze, like many rivers had transformed and I wondered how the Baiji had coped. I was devastated to find it hadn't and in 2006 had become the first dolphin species driven to extinction by human activity.
Running for the Ocean
I'd worked for a long time in the healthcare sector including in sustainability, but the ocean just wasn't given the voice it needed so a few of use formed a group, Healthcare Ocean. After years of advocating, writing and speaking at conferences, I became aware that I wasn't always speaking to the right people, and I needed to find another way.
I was therefore delighted when in 2024, my daughter Lucy introduced me to the wonders of the parkrun, and it was then I realised there was a way to reach lots of people every Saturday morning. All I needed was something which stood out.
So, in honour of the extinct Baiji, I decided to dress as a dolphin and Run for the Ocean. I do it for two reasons. The first is so I can educate a little when people ask me 'why' and the second, is simply to make people smile.
The future
The primary goal of the dolphin runner is to raise awareness in a way that people remember. Let's face it, seeing a dolphin at a parkrun is unusual. The dolphin is doing its first 10k in May 2026 and first half marathon in December.
I hope to raise money to fund the educational activities of CPDmatch and Healthcare Ocean whilst also supporting more established charities. I would love to be able to buy other keen runners the same outfit so we can have a pod of dolphins running out every Saturday around the country - what a sight that would be 😀.
My goal is to ensure no one ever forgets that whatever they are doing our lives and health are dependent upon a healthy ocean.
Sponsor the dolphin
The dolphin would love to hear from environmentally ambitious organisations so please reach out to me if you wish to discuss sponsorship opportunities. Sponsorship will be used to: develop the website, travel to speak at conferences and to smaller groups on sustainability (especially the ocean), pay for articles to be published open access and to purchase outfits for those who also wish to run as a dolphin.
