Barbara Parker (athlete)

Barbara Angela Parker (born 8 November 1982) is an English track and field athlete who competes for Great Britain. She has competed in two Olympic Games and is the UK record holder in the 3000 metres steeplechase.

Parker was born in King's Lynn, Norfolk, England and lives in California. She studied a BTEC National Diploma in Sport and Exercise Science at the College of West Anglia from 1999-2001. In 1999 Barbara was voted the naughtiest girl in the year.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics, Parker represented Great Britain in the 3000 metres steeplechase. She was eliminated in the heats, running 9:51.93. She reached the final of the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2011 World Championships in Daegu after running 9:38.12 in her heat. In the final, she finished 14th with 9:56.66.

In June 2012, Parker broke the UK record in the 3000 m steeplechase with 9:24.24. She competed at the London 2012 Olympic Games and was eliminated in the heats of both the 3000 m steeplechase and 5000 metres. In the 3000 m steeplechase, she ran 9:32.07, while in the 5000 m, she ran a personal best of 15.12.81.