Spencer Matthews' Six-Year-Old Son Completes 8 Parkruns, Aims for 50 by Age Seven

When Spencer Matthews first brought his six-year-old son, Theodore Matthews, to a Saturday morning Richmond Park ParkrunRichmond Park, he didn’t expect his son to finish the full 5K. But by November 16, 2025, Theodore had run it eight weeks in a row — rain or shine — clocking a personal best of 34 minutes 48 seconds. What started as a gentle nudge out of his comfort zone has become a ritual, a quiet revolution in parenting, and a testament to the power of community fitness.

From Walking to Running: A Father’s Quiet Experiment

Spencer Matthews, known to millions through the reality series Made in Chelsea and as CEO of health supplement company Clean Co Ltd, didn’t set out to create a fitness prodigy. He just wanted Theodore to move. "He’s a quiet kid," Matthews told Hello! Magazine during a November 18, 2025 interview at their Notting Hill home. "He likes books, puzzles, drawing. But he doesn’t naturally seek out physical challenges. So we thought — why not make it routine?"

The first Parkrun on September 7, 2025, ended with Theodore walking half the course. By October 26, he completed his first full 5K in 37 minutes 12 seconds. Now, he runs it without stopping. His mother, Vogue Angela Williams, who married Matthews in 2018, says the decision was deliberate. "We wanted him to experience something unstructured, uncompetitive, and completely free. No trophies, no rankings — just people cheering you on. That’s the magic of Parkrun."

The Richmond Park Phenomenon

Founded in 2014, the Richmond Park ParkrunRichmond Park is one of the UK’s most popular weekly events. Every Saturday at 9 a.m., over 1,200 runners — from toddlers to octogenarians — lace up on the same 5K loop through ancient woodland and open heathland. Organized by Parkrun Ltd, the charity has grown from 13 runners in Bushy Park in 2004 to 3,217 events across 24 countries today.

Head volunteer Margaret Thompson, 68, has been coordinating Richmond Park’s volunteers since 2015. "Theodore’s progress has been extraordinary," she told The Sun. "He started with walking breaks. Now he’s out there with the 4-14 age group, running alongside kids his own size. He’s got this little grin on his face every time he crosses the line. You can’t fake that joy."

Why This Matters Beyond One Family

What makes Theodore’s story unusual isn’t just the consistency — it’s the age. Most children under eight don’t complete 5Ks without parental assistance. But Parkrun’s inclusive model — no entry fees, no timing pressure, no elite athletes hogging the spotlight — makes it uniquely suited for young participants.

Dr. Eleanor Clarke, a child development specialist at King’s College London, says early exposure to non-competitive physical activity builds lifelong habits. "Children who engage in regular, low-pressure movement before age seven are far more likely to remain active into adolescence," she explains. "The fact that Theodore’s parents are modeling this behavior — showing up week after week — is more impactful than any coach or gym membership."

A Goal That Feels Real

Matthews has set a target: 50 Parkruns by Theodore’s seventh birthday on August 2, 2026. That means 37 more Saturdays — and counting. The family plans to participate in the festive Christmas Day ParkrunRichmond Park, where children under 11 will run a special 2K "Santa Run."

"I don’t care if he breaks records," Matthews said, watching Theodore sprint across the garden with a toy dinosaur in hand. "I care that he shows up. That he learns what it means to stick with something. That he knows there are people — strangers, really — who’ll clap for him even if he finishes last."

That’s the quiet brilliance of Parkrun. It doesn’t ask you to be fast. It just asks you to be there.

Behind the Scenes: The Matthews Family and Their Routine

Theodore’s weekly ritual begins the night before. His parents pack his running shoes, a banana, and his favorite dinosaur water bottle. They leave by 8:15 a.m. from their Notting Hill home, arriving at Richmond Park just as the volunteers start setting up. The event itself lasts about an hour. Afterward, they grab coffee from the nearby café, where Theodore often chats with other kids.

On Sundays, they review his time on the Parkrun app. No celebrations, no scolding. Just quiet acknowledgment. "We don’t say, ‘You did great!’" says Williams. "We say, ‘You showed up. That’s what matters."

The family splits time between London and their €5.2 million home in Killiney, County Dublin — purchased in 2021. But even when they’re in Ireland, they’ve already scheduled a Parkrun at nearby Dalkey. "He’s not just running for us," Matthews adds. "He’s running for the volunteers. For the kids who cheer him on. For the next kid who’s scared to try."

What’s Next?

With 37 Parkruns left to reach his goal, Theodore’s next milestone is clear: completing 10 consecutive events by Christmas. Parkrun Ltd has already invited him to be a "Junior Ambassador" — a role that involves helping new families at events. "We’re not pushing him," says Williams. "But if he wants to do it, we’ll be right beside him."

Spencer Matthews’ own athletic history — he ran the 2022 London Marathon in under four hours — may have sparked the idea. But this isn’t about legacy. It’s about letting a child find his own rhythm.