Paul Sinton-Hewitt: The parkrun Revolution

What if one small act of hope could change millions of lives?

Join Paul Sinton-Hewitt, founder of the global parkrun movement, for an uplifting and deeply inspiring conversation about resilience, belonging and the extraordinary power of simply showing up.

In his Sunday Times bestselling memoir One Small Step, Paul shares how, following injury and personal struggle, a free weekly run in a local park grew from just 13 runners into a worldwide community of more than 10 million people.

For Folkestone’s passionate parkrun community – and anyone who has ever found friendship, purpose or unexpected joy at 9am on a Saturday – this is a celebration of movement, human connection and the simple ideas that can quietly change the world.

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Events last one hour unless otherwise stated, followed by a book signing in The Clearing. Our official bookseller is Waterstones.

Folkestone Book Festival is our annual celebration of stories, ideas and conversation by the sea. Curated by novelist Sophie Haydock (The Flames, Madame Matisse), this year’s festival brings together more than 60 events across two weeks, welcoming world-class writers, thinkers and storytellers to Folkestone.

Discover another event, browse the bookshop, explore Folkestone’s vibrant arts scene, independent cafés, bars and galleries, and share the experience with a friend. The best festivals are as much about the conversations between events as those on stage.

The Festival is part of Folkestone is a Library, our ambitious town-wide celebration of reading, writing and storytelling, helping make Folkestone one of the UK’s most exciting literary destinations.

We believe great conversations should be for everyone, which is why every event includes a £5 Cost of Living Ticket, available with no questions asked.

Please help us spread the word. Together, we’re building a thriving community of readers, writers and curious minds.

Folkestone Book Festival is proudly supported by Eurotunnel, Canterbury Christ Church University, Holiday Extras, and the Friends of Folkestone Book Festival. Creative Folkestone is supported by Arts Council England, Folkestone & Hythe District Council and Saga. Founding Funder The Roger De Haan Charitable Trust.