At London Mums, we spend a lot of time cheering from the sidelines at sports days, swimming galas, and Saturday morning parkruns. But last night, our very own young reporter, 19-year-old Elenya Panesar, swapped the sidelines for the start line. She laced up her trainers to run shoulder-to-shoulder with one of Britain’s greatest ever athletes: Sir Mo Farah CBE.
The event was part of the BST Hyde Park Open House series, which transforms London’s iconic Royal Park into a hub of music, entertainment, and community experiences throughout the summer. On a golden June evening, runners of all ages and abilities gathered at the Great Oak Stage, buzzing with a unique mix of pre-race nerves and festival energy. The mission? A 3km run through Hyde Park, led by the man himself.
A warm-up to remember
Before a single stride was run, Mo and Adam Clarke (co-founder of the URUNN community) took to the stage to lead a group warm-up. For those unfamiliar, URUNN has built a reputation for creating inclusive, high-energy running experiences that blend fitness with a festival atmosphere, perfect partners for an evening like this. Seeing a four-time Olympic champion demonstrating lunges and high knees against the backdrop of one of London’s most beautiful parks was a wonderfully surreal sight, and according to Elenya, it set exactly the right tone: joyful, welcoming, and just a little bit giddy.
Sir Mo Farah: A legacy beyond the track
For any young person, running with Mo Farah is more than just a workout. Born in Mogadishu, Somalia, Mo arrived in the UK at the age of eight, speaking barely a word of English. His journey from those uncertain early days to becoming the most decorated British track athlete in Olympic history, with four gold medals across the 5,000m and 10,000m at London 2012 and Rio 2016, is the stuff of legend. Add to that six World Championship titles and a knighthood for services to athletics, and you have a figure who transcends sport. He’s a symbol of dedication, resilience, and the power of showing up, day after day.
It’s one thing to read about those achievements; it’s another entirely to feel their shadow beside you on a tree-lined path.
“An inspiring experience I will always be proud of”
Here’s what Elenya had to say about her evening:
“As a 19-year-old female university student, I had the opportunity to take part in a run with Mo Farah in Hyde Park. It was an inspiring experience to run alongside one of Britain’s greatest distance runners and hear his words of encouragement throughout the event. The atmosphere was full of energy, with people of all ages coming together to enjoy the run and celebrate fitness. Taking part motivated me to push myself further and reminded me that dedication and perseverance can help you achieve your goals. It was a memorable experience that I will always be proud of.”
Elenya completed the full 3km route, starting and ending at the Great Oak Stage, and was awarded her very own finisher’s medal to take home. It’s a piece of hardware we suspect will be worn with immense pride long after the summer fades.
Stories beyond the finish line
The evening didn’t end with the run. After catching their breath, participants gathered back at the Great Oak Stage, where Mo sat down for a live Q&A hosted by the brilliant BBC broadcaster Nihal Arthanayake. In the fading light of a perfect summer evening, Mo reflected on the journey that shaped him, not just the victories, but the setbacks, the sacrifices, and the unwavering belief that kept him moving forward.
Why these moments matter for our children
At London Mums, we’re always championing the idea that inspiration doesn’t just come from textbooks or screens. It comes from experiences. It comes from seeing greatness up close and realising that even our heroes were once beginners. Elenya’s run with Mo is a reminder to all of us, and to the young people we’re raising, that fitness can be fun, that icons can be approachable, and that sometimes the best memories are made when we simply say “yes” to an opportunity.
We are incredibly proud of Elenya for representing London Mums with such enthusiasm and grace. She ran with a legend, and she came away with a story she’ll tell for a lifetime.
Monica Costa founded London Mums in September 2006 after her son Diego’s birth together with a group of mothers who felt the need of meeting up regularly to share the challenges and joys of motherhood in metropolitan and multicultural London. London Mums is the FREE and independent peer support group for mums and mumpreneurs based in London https://www.londonmumsmagazine.com and you can connect on Twitter @londonmums
