Top left: Martin with sons James and Trent. A young parkrunner in England was doing parkour jumping between buildings, fell, and unfortunately was killed. His father sent out the image internationally and asked if people would wear the image to raise awareness and in remembrance for the boy. James and Trent were keen to show their support. Bottom left: James in action (aged 15), carrying his diabetes medication in his backpack. Right: James at a recent Queenstown event.
JAMES O'SULLIVAN – ŌTAUTAHI CHRISTCHURCH
Twenty-one-year-old art student James O’Sullivan has been doing parkrun since he was 10, which is around the same time that he was diagnosed with type 1. His dad, Martin, was already a runner, so it was inevitable that James and his older brother Trent would join in. James earned his 250 t-shirt last year and has since hit the 300 mark, as well as setting the current record as the only Kiwi to complete every
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DIABETES WELLNESS | Summer 2024
course in the country. The O’Sullivan whānau has steadily worked their way around the country, seeking out parkruns most weekends. To date, James has been to 49 different courses around the country and another two in Australia. James’ dad, Martin, is his biggest fan, and he is quick to rave about what his son has achieved. ‘James is an example of what parkrun is all about. A young person who struggled at school as he has autism as well
as type 1 diabetes and epilepsy.’ James enjoys travelling and trying each area’s courses. ‘Some are easy, some are hard. My favourite one is Scarborough Park (Christchurch), and Waitangi Park (Wellington).’ Asked if he’s ever found any not fun, he describes the course he did for his 250th: ‘One I didn’t enjoy was Queenstown. It looks really great, but it was more challenging. It was the hardest one I’ve faced.’
