John’s 40-40-40 challenge: mission accomplished!

The challenge

In late 2024, NCETM Director for System Leadership, John Westwell, set himself a unique challenge. To celebrate 2025/26 marking his 40th year working in education, he decided to do a parkrun in each of the 40 Maths Hubs regions in England. And July 2026 saw him finally achieve that goal!

Already a regular parkrunner, John wanted something that combined a celebration of his 40 years, and his passion for the Maths Hubs Network. The answer was obvious – a parkrun in each region from Plymouth (CODE Maths Hub in the South West) to Newcastle (Great North Maths Hub in the North East). John started out at Town Moor in Newcastle on a cold December day in 2024, and finished in the heatwave of summer 2026 by returning to his home parkrun of Clarence Park in Bury on 11 July.

A team effort

Over the course of the 40 parkruns, John was joined by friends, family and colleagues. Often he was met on the start line by Maths Hub team members in the local region, and he was kept company during his challenge on over 30 of his 40 runs. He was even cheered over the line in Bury on 11 July by supporters wearing masks of John himself!

In the course of his challenge, John ran over 120 miles (200km). His total time spent running was over 20 hours, so he had plenty of opportunity to reflect on his 40 years in education.

“As I said after the last one, the parkrun community and the Maths Hubs Network have much in common. In both, you will find a very strong sense of a supportive community enabling people to strive to improve and always recognising everyone's efforts. Long may they continue.”

Although he has completed his challenge, John is already looking forward to continuing parkruns wherever he visits, so look out for him at a course near you in the future…