Getting to know….. Fiona Bishop. Edition 21.
There Is No Finish Line.
Not for Fiona Bishop.
Four decades into her athletics journey — across rivers, roads, cross-country courses, race-walking tracks, European Championships, World Championships, and representing Great Britain in deaf athletics — she’s still racing, still competing, and still proudly pulling on the Woking AC vest. 
Fiona’s story begins somewhere you might not expect: the River Thames.
“In my early twenties I used to skiff along the Thames while working at BAe in Brooklands. When the company closed, I moved to Stevenage. I couldn’t find a rowing club nearby, so I started jogging instead.”
One day, while out running, someone spotted her and asked if she’d join their company team — and race a 9 km event with just a month’s notice.
She said yes.
She came third.
And that was the start.
From there, Fiona moved through club running, road races and short triathlons, before discovering race walking — a discipline that would take her across Europe and onto podiums at Masters World and European Championships.
“For the past 20 years or so I have been winning team medals in both race walking and road running at the World and European Championships.”
But her proudest sporting memory is something even bigger.
“I was selected to compete for the Great Britain deaf senior team at the 8th Deaf European Cross Country Championships in Portugal in 2006. We won team bronze behind Russia and Ukraine — and I was the oldest competitor there.”
She later competed at the 1st Deaf Athletics World Championships in Turkey in 2008 — completing the marathon and, once again, finishing as the oldest athlete on the start line.
Celebration, for Fiona, is simple and meaningful:
“I like to take a group photo after the event.”
Her achievements reach beyond athletics, too.
“When I was 17, I was invited to Buckingham Palace to meet Prince Philip for my Gold Duke of Edinburgh Award. I met him again years later while out running in Windsor Great Park — he asked me what I was doing!”
Ask her what brings her joy in sport and she doesn’t hesitate:
“I’m very much a team player and like to support everyone — whether fast or slow. It’s taking part that matters.”
(Editor’s note: Fiona is one of Woking AC’s greatest ambassadors — wearing the club vest more often, and in more countries, than almost anyone. She raises our visibility in the UK and beyond, embodies commitment, and lifts the whole team simply by being there. We are incredibly proud to have her. **)**
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Inspired by Fiona’s story?
Whether you’re starting out, starting again, or looking for a community to grow with, there’s a place for you at Woking AC.
Come run, walk, race — and see where your journey might lead.
Interested? Email seniors@wokingac.com to get started.