She may have World, European and Commonwealth Games medals to her name, but three-time Olympic swimmer Hannah Miley will be bringing up the rear in this weekend’s Carlisle parkrun.

However, rather than experiencing a dramatic loss in fitness, the 28-year-old will actually be participating in UK Sport’s #teamparkrun event, acting as the ‘tail walker’, to ensure that – as is the parkrun ethos – no-one finishes last.

On August 19 UK Sport is encouraging National Lottery funded athletes to follow Miley’s lead and be a tail walker at their local parkrun as a way of saying thank you to the millions of people who play the National Lottery each week and, in doing so, help fund elite sport in the UK.

Miley will be out on the route at 9.00am on Saturday for a rare event on dry land, and highlighted the difference funding has made to elite sport in the UK.

“I’m really looking forward to the parkrun, it’s always good to give something back to UK Sport, they’ve been such a huge help in my career,” said the swimmer.

“It’s nice to be able to give back and a great way to make sure that nobody is left behind. The fact it is taking place across the whole of the UK should help inspire people to get active.

“I’m looking forward to giving back to the community and going out there to meet new people and hearing their stories.”

Parkrun is a nationwide network of organised, free, 5km timed runs that take place every Saturday morning and encourage anyone, of any ability, to get active – with a volunteer tail walker, such as Miley, at the rear to ensure no-one finishes last.

And despite discovering Park Run only recently, Miley insists an active lifestyle is a must for her, and that the opportunity to be a tail walker was not one to pass up.

“I wasn’t able to do the parkrun last year but when I heard about this year’s one I made sure I would be available and I can’t wait for it,” she added, “I think it’s great that so many athletes are showing their gratitude to UK Sport. I’m not the best runner so being at the back will probably be the best place.”

To thank the public for their support through playing The National Lottery, Britain’s top athletes will volunteer as Tail Walkers at parkrun events across the UK on Saturday August 19. Everyone is welcome at parkrun - be part of it! www.teamparkrun.com