welcome to this week's newsletter
In this week’s newsletter we launch Logan River parkrun, welcome a running legend to Geelong, digest Professor Alan’s monthly stats round up, and prepare to RunPositive at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon.
On Saturday I attended the launch of Logan River parkrun, about 40 minutes north of my home on the Gold Coast and 20 minutes south of Brisbane. This event has been in my thoughts for months as every time I drive along the M1 between the Gold Coast and Brisbane I have found myself staring at the Logan River Parklands and its iconic red steel bridge. So finally the day came and, knowing that Event Director Sarah Logan (yes, the event has her surname) would have everything under control, I made a plan to take part in the run, something I rarely get to launch at launch events. I’m delighted to report that Logan River parkrun didn’t disappoint, with 114 runners, a sea of enthusiastic volunteers, and wonderful support from City of Logan Council. And I had a pretty decent run myself, finishing 5th in 19:14, my fastest time this year. But parkrun is of course a run not a race, so participation is what matters, and before the run started I was privileged to present Ian Robertson with his 50-Club shirt, well done Robbo Sr.
This weekend sees the launch of another parkrun event in Perth with Aveley getting ‘up and running’, good luck to Event Director Dave Allmark and team and I look forward to catching up with all of you in August.
On Sunday I am doing the Half Marathon at the Gold Coast Airport Marathon which I am really looking forward to. I haven’t ‘raced’ over that distance for a couple of years and am hoping to go sub-1:30 for the first time, wish me luck!
Happy running,
Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)
Were you a first timer last weekend, or did you run a personal best? We would love to hear about your experience on email, @parkrun_au or on Facebook.
A Geelong Legend Makes His Debut
It was a dim and foggy start to the day. A great atmosphere was brewing at Balyang Sanctuary parkrun, all hoping to meet their local running legend... but where was Lee Troop? He said he would come down didn't he? Maybe something came up and he couldn't make it? There was a palpable tinge of disappointment as the announcements came and went and the crowd lined up on the start line. 8am came and the run got under way as usual, but without Lee. Then, once everyone was well into the first km, having already meandered past Shannon Avenue Bridge, a stealth like figure cut past the onlookers at the start line and proceeded to chase down the pack. Words of encouragement and inspiration flowed through the 114 runners... it was Lee Troop making his Australian parkrun debut!!!
Like a true gent he chose to hang back and let usual proceedings unfold without the need to go out and smash a record and, as he promised on twitter, he stayed around to talk to anyone and everyone post run, posed for photos and offered advice and encouragement aplenty. No less than 27 runners recorded a new PB! But Lee wasn't the only first timer, a huge welcome goes to the other 16 first timers too!!! And two of those were Obaidullah Jamshidi who was first over the line for the lads in 18:36 and Sarah Walker who brought home the ladies in a time of 19:44. Congratulations go to all who took part. As Lee epitomised today, it's not all about breaking records or taking home the meat platter! Taking part is what parkrun is all about and there were 114 running legends out there today!
Adam & Greig from Balyang Sanctuary parkrun
By The Numbers – Longest parkrun Edition
June saw another month of records: on 8th June we saw Australia break through the 4,000 parkrunner barrier in a big way (4,303), and this weekend we had 36 events, not bad in just 118 weeks...
We also saw another record in June with our second year of ‘Longest parkruns’ in Australia. This year we had 3 Longest parkruns: Brisbane & South; Region of Runners; and Western Australia. Although the Longest parkrun is a ‘fun’ non-timed event we asked people who took part to submit their times to the Professor and from the 89 responses we can now take a look at how we all did...
Looking at number of runs I declare Brissy wins with 190 runs at 7 events, and WA a creditable second with 108 runs over 5 events, whilst Region of Runners only had 53 runs but they did do all 7 runs in less than idyllic conditions - so well done you all!
Looking at average finish times of all runners the Region of Runners is the clear winner - probably due in no small way to the “Robbo” home advantage
Brisbane & South scooped the final prize, fastest finisher thanks to the herculean efforts of Ryan Stoddart (of Kirra/Kingscliff parkruns) who managed an impressive average of 19:59 across 7 parkruns with his fastest two times (19:31/19:32) at two of the hilliest course in the area (Coomera and Cleveland).
Ryan also did an unofficial extension of another 1.44 parkruns (at Kirra) to make it into a Marathon parkrun. Speaking as one of the 3 people who staggered around 8.44 parkruns last time he really has my admiration!
But the Longest parkrun is not all about records, it is a chance to meet and run with parkrunners and share our passion for parkrun on some beautiful courses. It was great to meet people, friends old and new, and a big thanks to the local event teams for the efforts they made to accommodate and welcome us tourists. I think most of the photos of the events have now been uploaded, so please have a look at the albums here.
I have compiled a list of all the finishers at each set of longest runs:
Brisbane and South
Region of Runners
Western Australia
A combined list of finishers ordered by number of runs and average run times:
Combined average times
Thanks everyone for the great feedback and I was pleased to see all our respondents enjoyed their longest runs and most people are very keen to do this again next year
Professor Alan & Róisín from Wynnum parkrun.
RunPositive @ GCAM
The Gold Coast Airport Marathon is this weekend and it is going to be a big one!
On Saturday morning parkrun is providing volunteers to hand out t-shirts to the finishers of the 10km race. We still need a few more people to put their hands up to help out so please email me if you can assist.
Over the course of the weekend 114 of you have registered for team ‘parkrun Australia’ and we are going to have a couple of tents stationed in the BYO Tent area, located north of Nind Street in Broadwater Parklands between Nind and North Street, as per the Precinct Map below (marked ‘SPACE ONLY TENTS’). Note that this is an area for meeting other parkrunners and supporting runners coming into the finish area. It is not a secure area so please don’t plan to leave your valuables here.
As announced last week our friends from Suncorp Bank are once again making their RunPositive tent available to parkrunners who want to soak up the excitement of the finish line. They have provided me with 50 wristbands for each day that are ideal for anyone wanting to spend the whole day supporting runners. If this is you then please email me and let me know: a. what day; and b. how many tickets (max 4) you would like. I cannot guarantee anything at this stage until I know the demand so cross fingers and stay tuned.
Women’s Running Australia
As an entrepreneur at heart I love it when I hear about other people who have gone out on a limb to try and succeed in their chosen field. Never has this been truer than when my mate Sarah Joyce told me she was planning to buy Women’s Running Australia magazine from original publishers Run For Your Life Ltd. Well the deal has now been done and Sarah is the Queen Bee, and to celebrate I want as many of you as possible to support her by accepting the below offer of a 6 month / 3 issue subscription for only $10!!! To subscribe visit the Women's Running Australia subscription page before July 31 and enter the promo code parkrun2013 at the checkout. Sarah, you owe me a coffee!
Boost explodes with colour
You have probably heard of adidas’ new boost technology by now, and today the new season energy boost explodes in bright new colours. By combining thousands of micro energy capsules into one midsole, BOOST provides significantly more energy return than any other material available on the market. For you, this means less energy exertion required during strenuous training periods and during your Saturday morning parkrun. Check out the new colours now.
Bridge to Brisbane
In 2013 parkrun is an official training partner for Bridge to Brisbane. This is an amazing partnership as it guarantees us exposure to thousands of new runners who will hopefully become part of the parkrun family!
If you are planning on running B2B this year then we invite you to join the parkrun team, details are as follows: 5km | Team Name - parkrun 5k Team | Team No. – 72338; 10km | Team Name – parkrun | Team No. – 58568.
Upcoming Event Launches, Anniversaries & Cancellations
Our 17th launch for the year is coming up this Saturday, July 6, at Aveley in Perth. Other confirmed launch dates include: July 13 for Gatton; September 7 for Warwick; and September 28 for Merimbula.
Kirra, Coomera, Main Beach and Kingscliff will be cancelled this Saturday due to the staging of the Gold Coast Airport Marathon. Note that Varsity Lakes will run as per normal.
Coomera & Claisebrook Cove celebrate their 1st anniversaries on Saturday, August 3.
Feedback from the field
Sharon Salu - Last year my husband and myself did longest parkrun Brisbane,I ran as far as Wynnum then did dome extra to make it a half marathon. My husband Michael finished at Main Beach. We had a fantastic time and vowed to do it again. But my world got turned upside down when I injured my back, after two failed discectomied I'm now looking at fusion or joint/disc replacement. So we missed this year’s longest parkrun. I LOVE PARKRUN AND MISS IT SO MUCH! My husband and daughter continue to do it. One day soon I hope to do it again, walking, as part of rehab. I guess everyone starts somewhere. Thank you parkrun.
Paul Emmerson – Still smiling about the company, the support and the friendship of so many wonderful people at Gatton parkrun. I have Mulgowie Market next week so can’t come but will see you the week after. And who was that girl that did the running while I did the puffin? She was great company – thanks.
Anna Hollingsworth - I'd just like to send a message to say thanks to everyone at Logan River parkrun. Saturday's event was my first ever parkrun, and Sarah and her crew made me feel so welcome! The weather was a bit grey and drizzly, the course a little damp but the enthusiasm of the volunteers and the runners was just amazing. I had an absolute ball and am looking forward to coming back, both to run and to volunteer. Thanks everyone!
Garry Wells - Just looked through my birthday wishes on my Facebook wall. 9 out of 10 are registered with parkrun - tells me something about the community that parkrun builds.
Lisa Schofield - I ran Curl Curl parkrun with 19 others on Saturday in absolutely miserable conditions and pouring rain, and just loved it! Amongst the people I chatted to there, everyone had a different story and a different motivation. And now I know my time, I can see how addictive it will be to get it lower. I'm a little disappointed it's my husband and son's birthday this Saturday as I really need to prioritise them and not go to parkrun, but watch out the weekend after!
Drop me an email if you have an interesting parkrun related fact, happening or comment that you would like to share with all parkrunners.
Volunteer Profile
Name: Hilary Donlon
Age: 40
Home parkrun: Coomera
Occupation: Accountant
Number of runs: 26
PB: 24.39
Number of times volunteered: 10
Favourite volunteer role: Putting up and taking down the signs. I live so close that it is easy for me to help out. Plus I enjoy banging down the signs at 6am ensuring all the neighbours are awake!
What do like about volunteering at parkrun: I feel part of the community and happy to help out when I can.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: Realising that I had put the signs up incorrectly as the arrows were pointing in the wrong directions… not easy to work out first thing on a Saturday after a few glasses of wine on a Friday night. What is usually a 5 minute job, took me ages to work out correctly. If anyone saw me they were probably wondering why I was putting up signs and then taking them down again! However, I did think if I left the signs the way they were, I might be in with a chance of actually coming first in parkrun…… the only one to go the right way!
How can we improve parkrun: Can’t think of anything, as it seems to run so smoothly, thanks to our Event Directors!
Reminders
Barcode reminder
Printed barcodes are used at all our events to record your result. Please click here to collect and print your barcode.
No printed barcode, No result.
All questions answered
Do you have a question about parkrun? How do I collect my club T-shirt? How do I get my barcode? All your questions are answered on our brand new support site
Volunteering at parkrun
We ask every parkrunner to volunteer 3 times a year. When volunteering you receive the maximum number of points towards the yearly competition.
Children at parkrun
All children under 11 must be accompanied by a parent or guardian. Guardians must ensure that children place themselves appropriately so as to prevent a situation where they are being repeatedly overtaken at the start. This is to ensure the safety of your child.
the parkrun show
You can download your copy of the parkrun show here. (iTunes)
The parkrun show is the audible roundup of the "goings on" of everything that caught the teams eye from the weekend in parkrunworld.
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