Lily Janmohamed, 10, is believed to be the fastest 10-year-old female in the world to run 5K at Battersea parkrun

A West London schoolgirl who held the record as the world's fastest nine-year-old to run 5k has now shattered her own achievement. Lily Janmohamed, 10, slashed her previous time of 19 minutes and 45 seconds by a full thirty seconds, crossing the finish line at Battersea Parkrun in 19 minutes 15 seconds on Saturday, October 17.

Lily first made headlines as the world's fastest eight-year-old girl to run 5k, completing the distance in 20 minutes 16 seconds at Battersea on April 26, 2025, surpassing the 2015 record of 20 minutes 30 seconds held by Gabrielle Hall.

She then eclipsed that personal best at age nine on March 14 this year - a feat widely considered to be a world record, despite Guinness World Records not tracking the 5k distance for Lily's age group.

Lily, who trains three times a week with a local running club, clocked a time 30 seconds quicker than her previous effort on Saturday - a remarkable feat given she had competed in two school races in the preceding two days.

Lily, from Stanmore, Middlesex, expressed her delight at breaking her own record.

She said: "When I was told my new record I couldn't believe it, it felt so amazing! Whenever my legs got tired I just reminded myself that I was doing it for Scope, and that kept me pushing. I'm so thankful to Joe who ran with me, he kept checking my pace and encouraging me."

She added: "Running has helped me go from being really shy at school to being very confident. I hope this shows other children what is possible. My dream is to run for England one day and represent my country in athletics."

Dame Kelly Holmes posted a 'well done' message to Lily on Facebook, and joked that she'd have to fix her calf injury before Lily dents her ego.

"I was so excited that she posted about me," Lily told Sell Us Your Story. She added: "She is one of my ultimate heroes. Her joke really made me smile. I'd love to run Park Run with her one day."

Her father Faizal, 42, and mother Shahliza, 36, both marketing professionals, revealed that neither Lily nor her brother Daniyal, 11, an enthusiastic runner himself, inherited their sporting talents from their parents. Lily has set up a JustGiving page, which has raised nearly £4,000, in support of the disability charity Scope.

She said: "I chose Scope because I know how much it helps when someone believes in you. I want every child to feel as happy and confident as I do. I got a card and a 'good luck' video from Scope, I was so touched and it helped me run my hardest to help them."

Shahliza said: "Lily is a superhero to us. We are endlessly proud of her dedication, hard work, and the heart she put into this. Lily stays so humble and grounded. After all that hard work and pressure, she was just thrilled to go out for dinner for her favourite meal at Nando's!"

Faizal said: "It's lovely to see that she is doing this to help other children and not only to achieve a personal best. When she crossed the finish line aged eight it was one of the most emotional moments of being a father. Her mum and I are incredibly proud of her. The way she combines her natural ability with her determination and love for running is amazing to see."

Lily doesn't run 5K often because of training guidelines for her age. She's under 11 so was accompanied by an adult, Joe Wood-Lowe, 31, as per the event rules.

Lily is proud to have been made athletics captain at her school, St Albans High School for girls, this year. Lily will run the Park Run again in spring next year (2027), to submit a qualifying time for the London Mini Marathon under 12s.

Lily said: "Running makes me feel so free and strong, like I can do anything. I love chasing new goals and getting better each time."