welcome to this week's newsletter
In this week’s newsletter we celebrate 2 anniversaries, 1 launch and a whole swag of records!
As I type this it is Sunday night and I’m sitting in Perth Airport waiting to board the 11:50pm flight back to the Gold Coast. I’ve got one eye on the cricket playing above me on the monitor and am quietly reflecting on what was an epic ‘Super Saturday’ for parkrun in Australia.
Here on the West Coast I had the pleasure of attending Claisebrook Cove parkrun’s 1st anniversary at which a course attendance record of 212 people were present. Adding to that their course record was lowered by parkrun debutant Mark See to 14:50, just 8 seconds slower than the current Australian record held by Olympian Marty Dent at Ginninderra parkrun. This was my first time running at Claisebrook Cove and I was truly amazed by the incredible scenery along the course as it snaked beside the Swan River. We even had a pod of dolphins offering their congratulations from below! The theme for the day was ‘pyjama party’ and the majority dressed the part, including Event Director Jon Storey who wore a flash tiger onesie. Jokes aside, perhaps the biggest compliment I can pay to Jon and his team is not only have they created a great event at Claisebrook Cove but that they have inspired the establishment of 3 more events in the region at Rockingham, Canning River and Aveley, with several more on the horizon. This really shows me that the community they have created and the manner with which they have done so has been totally first class, and for that I sincerely thank them.
Back on the East Coast Coomera parkrun also celebrated its 1st anniversary with a record attendance of 141 people gathering at the Highland Reserve. Event Directors Renee and Adam Gimbert have done a stellar job at Coomera over the last 12 months, an event that is rightly renowned for its welcoming family atmosphere and child-friendly course. Well done guys.
But the biggest news on Saturday was the new global record attendance for an inaugural parkrun at Blackbutt with a whopping 538 beating the previous record of 340 at Marley parkrun in Ireland. In the days leading up to the launch Event Director Garry Wells and his trustee team in the Region of Runners generated a serious amount of #BUTTfever so it is great to see this translated into ‘butts on seats’ on Saturday.
So with the launch of Blackbutt we now have 38 parkruns and 46,003 registered parkrunners in Australia. Last week alone we welcomed over 1,000 new parkrunners into the family so if things keep tracking at this rate we will be around 70,000 strong by the end of the year! We also broke the Australian weekly total record with 4,506 parkunners across 36 events (Newy and Mitchelton were cancelled), up 116 from the previous record of 4390 three weeks ago.
So I wasn’t joking when I used the term ‘epic’ above was I? This Saturday should see ‘normal’ service resume with all 38 events set to run, weather pending of course. I’m planning on visiting Kingscliff for the first time in a good few months and I’m looking forward to pushing Jack in the pram followed by some of Wendy’s delicious cake!
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.
Blackbutt (aka The Butt) parkrun launch
Blackbutt parkrun launched on 3rd August with a feeling that it just might be something special. With the Stockland/parkrun relay completed we braced ourselves for a few runners to come try out a beautiful but challenging course. And they came, and came, and came… flooding in through the car park that caused a delay to the start. By 8:05 the grassed briefing area was packed. The feeling at that stage was that the global record attendance for an inaugural parkrun was in trouble.
Following a humorous run briefing that included Nat Heath's acknowledgement of the traditional owners, thank yous to sponsors, a few words from Dean Frith from our local supporters Baker Love, a 50 run shirt presentation to Karen and some course safety notes, we walked off to the start line. At that point we knew the numbers were big. In the end 538 runners big. The finish time gap was from 18:29 (Lorcan Redmond) to our sweeper who brought the last group in at 1:11. Every runner/walker had beaten Blueberry Burn, enjoyed the emus and kangaroos along Emu Alley plus finished with a run around Daytona Corner.
A sausage sandwich provided by Stockland Jesmond was a great way to fuel up while clapping and cheering on the runners as they finished. Given the slightly over five30-runners on course, the volunteers and Blackbutt reserve handled it really well. One of the most pleasing parts of the day was the amount of fun that everyone enjoyed and goes well for the future of parkrun in the Region of Runners of which Blackbutt is just number 4.
FYI, our list of records broken:
- Global attendance for an inaugural parkrun - 538 runners.
- Most Facebook likes at launch – 850.
- Most fun at a launch.
- First parkrun to run past the living Coat of Arms of its Country.
- First parkrun to combine a sponsor partnership relay before launch.
Garry from The Butt parkrun
Key Tag Success!
Thanks to everyone who has purchased a parkrun Athlete ID Key Tag in recent months. I spoke to Terry from printers Bent Logic last week and he has sold a massive 1,300 units which means our next 13,000 replacement or new finishing tokens will be free of charge, saving us over $2,500! If you are new to parkrun or are yet to order yours you can click here to find out more.
This Must Be Getting Serious
After 2 years or operating parkrun from my home office I’m delighted to announce that we have now taken the big step and moved into a ‘proper’ office at Sports House in Varsity Lakes on the Gold Coast. Sports House is a state-of-the-art community, sports and recreational facility that has been developed to encourage increased participation in sport and recreation.
Our neighbours in Sports House include organisations such as the Australian Sports Commission, Queensland Cricket and Gold Coast Recreation & Sport, and sporting groups like Varsity Fitness Personal Training, Gold Coast Sailing Club and Australian Canoeing. It really will be a great place for parkrun to call home as we move into an increasingly busy but bright future and I would like to personally thank Dale Salmon and the board of Varsity Lakes Community Limited for inviting us in.
The parkrun show Australia
As reported last newsletter Episode 1 of the parkrun show Australia was downloaded over 1,000 times in its first week! Well Episode 2 did even better rising to become the number 1 Sports & Recreation podcast in Australia, beating out the likes of the AFL, BBC and ESPN!
This just blows my mind and speaks volumes for the quality of the production and effort put in by hosts Dave Robbo and Russ Jefferys. Well done boys. Episode 3 should be live tonight and you can download it from the official parkrun show Australia website.
Gold Coast Optimal Running Workshop
Have you ever wanted to run further, faster and with fewer injuries? One of the most rewarding ways to improve your own running is through discovering your own Optimal running technique. Join The Running Physio Dave Coombs and Coach Caine Warburton as they guide you through techniques, drills and exercises to improve your running technique. The session offers a perfect introduction to people new to running or those who have not worked on their own technique before. If you are unsure what to do don't worry we will guide you the whole way. Click here for further details.
Importance of Stretching
We all know how important good nutrition is. It is what keeps us moving, keeps us strong, keeps us balanced, it heals us, protects us and allows us to do what we love to do...whatever your passion is.
Then if we throw exercise into the mix it becomes a marriage made in heaven. When you exercise regularly you instantly choose healthier foods. But there is a 3rd part to this healthy living pie and that is stretching.
If you exercise regularly you need to stretch regularly, but do you? Tightness shows an imbalance within the body and stretching can help rebalance, alleviate pain and tightness and keep you on the “parkrun” track longer.
Most of us know about the importance of a warm up and cool down, but are they the only times that stretching should occur?? Quite simply the answer is no!! Stretching throughout the day has many benefits - releases stress and tension from our muscles and mind, helps the muscles feel loose and relaxed, and breaks up the monotony of the day in the office. Cats and dogs stretch throughout the day, why can’t we?
I understand that in our time poor world that finding 30 minutes to dedicate to just stretching is well, stretching it.....so here is a quick solution, it’s not the only stretch you need to do and other stretching needs to be done as well, but the benefits of holding this stretch for up to 2 minutes, 3 times a day is remarkable - this is the stretch to stretch. ARE YOU READY FOR IT......It is the Downward Dog!! And here is why:
Click here to read more.
Trish from Enrich Health & Nutrition
Upcoming Event Launches, Anniversaries & Cancellations
Our 20th launch for the year is coming up on August 31 in Cairns. Other confirmed launch dates include: September 7 for Warwick; September 28 for Merimbula & Toowoomba; and October 12 for Berwick Springs.
Balyang Sanctaury celebrates its 1st anniversary on August 24.
Kingscliff is cancelled on September 7 due to the SALT Multisport Festival.
The Pointy End
Who are you? Albert Melbourne parkrunner John Dutton who recently completed the Gold Coast Airport Marathon in a staggering 2:27:37!
How the hell do you run so fast? Put simply, I believe it has been a matter of durability over the last couple of years. I have been able to keep improving results as my body has coped with the training workload. In that sense, it’s possible for anyone to see improvement with a sensible approach to their running.
How the hell do you run so fast? Put simply, I believe it has been a matter of durability over the last couple of years. I have been able to keep improving results as my body has coped with the training workload. In that sense, it’s possible for anyone to see improvement with a sensible approach to their running.
What type of training do you typically do? My training weeks are pretty dense. They are typically simple in design, but complex in execution. My usual training week consists of a Sunday long run, midweek long run (shorter than the Sunday run), tempo runs, short interval repetitions, long repetitions, easy runs and the occasional rest day. During my peak training weeks, I will often be running twice a day. A lot of my recovery is what is called active recovery. I like to get the crap out of my legs from a hard session by making the next run and easy one.
How long have you been running and have you always been so damn good? Ha ha. I have been running since 2006 and started out like many others have. My running consisted of going from fun run to fun run without doing much training at all, and finding very little improvement while doing it. In my eyes I was a brilliant runner and wasn’t really giving running the respect it deserved. I didn’t realise this until Melbourne Marathon in 2008 however. My first marathon – I was under trained and overly ambitious. And the day turned sour. I gave myself a choice after that. I either stopped wasting my time and try and learn as much about running as I could and do everything I could to improve – or quite simply – just stop running. Running is definitely something I now work extremely hard at, but I’ll stop short in saying ‘I’m so damn good’. I still have so much improving left to do, but now my ambition does not outweigh my training. I’m now also enjoying my running more now than I ever have, and that is a big part in why I am willing to keep pushing myself week after week.
What is you favourite distance? Definitely now I have stepped up in distance and re found the marathon – or should I say – the marathon re found me; that this is both a distance I like and one that seems to suit me the best. You find out a lot about yourself late in a marathon and how you cope when your body wants to give up and stop. Even a good day in the marathon won’t always go 100% to plan. That is the intriguing nature of the event that draws us all in. Whether you are a complete novice at the event or an Olympic Champion, it’s one event where both can share the one piece of road. Truly is exciting!
Do you have a coach and do you train with a squad? I do have a coach. My coach is Keith Fearnley and my squad is one of great promise. A young squad who have already tasted success – with numerous state and national Champions within the group. It’s not always easy to get noticed. Ha ha. My training partner Jack Rayner recently won the National U20 title for 5000m in an amazing 14:29. He is only 17. I owe my recent comeback and form revival after a 5 month layoff with glandular fever to Jack. We work well together as a team and we enjoy as a group being able to share the group’s success. It can get contagious! Once I am in marathoner mode however, I venture out on my own for most of my training and have developed a rare ability to push myself to the MAX even while on my own. This helps a lot, as with a marathon, you won’t always be in a group on race day!
How much faster would you like to go? The 2013 Gold Coast Airport Marathon opened my eyes to what I can do off a more limited preparation than what I’d call ideal. Over the past year nonsense has become dreams. And now dreams have become goals. Next goals will become reality. Within 2 years I see myself running inside 2:17 for the marathon. That is the qualifying standards for both the Commonwealth Games and the World Championship teams. In order to do this, I will need to improve my 10km by a huge 2 minutes and my half marathon by a further 4 minutes to be on track to achieve a 2:17. After that, my dream, just like many others – is to represent Australia at the Olympics in the marathon. The next part – very much myth still – only 5 Australians have ever broken 2:10 for the marathon. I want to join that group!
What big events do you want to run? In March 2014 I will make my international marathon debut at Lake Biwa in Japan. To be allowed entry into this prestigious event a marathon time of under 2:30 must be achieved. It is super exciting considering through illness I missed the chance race there in this year’s event. I would also one day love to represent Australia at the very least in a World Championships or possibly an Olympics. Depending on how I perform at Lake Biwa, I would one day like to run marathons in London, New York and Berlin and test myself against the best.
Feedback from the field
Laurel Holm - My husband and I just want to say thank you to Alan Burrell for all his work at Wynnum parkrun. We have really enjoyed our runs there. We have had our last there for some time as we are moving tomorrow to Ukraine. We are planning to keep running there as often as the weather will allow. So on Saturday about 2pm you can remember us as we do perhaps the first unofficial Kyiv parkrun. It will be 7:00am Kyiv time. Hope to be back and running with you again in two years.
Kate Bentley - Back in late December 2012 I was going for a walk at Main Beach early on a Saturday morning. I watched in awe as a huge group of people started to pound the footpath right past me. I didn't quite know what it was all about, but all I could think that it was some crazy running group filled with fitness fanatics - which was far from what I was. Along my walk I saw the parkrun signs and when I got home I of course had to Google parkrun. The next Saturday couldn't come around quick enough! I love walking so this was great and maybe one day I could even be running. I didn't want to do this health overhaul by myself so I started a social meetup group called Let's Get Physical & Social Gold Coast. We are a group of ‘mature’ adults and men who participate in activities nearly every day. Out of all the fitness activities that we have started parkrun is the only one that we still continue to do and have the most member participation. We have battled the elements of the weather, the heat and sun, torrential rain and wind, and very brisk cold mornings. We meet at 6.30am at the back of the surf life saving club, the majority of us wear pink tops to easily identify our group. After the run we head to the surf club for a social coffee/breakfast. If anyone would like to join us you will be made more than welcome. I am very pleased to say that I personally have now participated 23 times. Whilst I still mainly walk the 5kms my goal is to be running by the end of the year. A huge thank you to Main Beach parkrun for turning my life around for the better.
Mike Elder - I have only run North Lakes parkrun once after which I was hobbling with an old injury, but glad that I’d made a decent first show as a 58 year old. To stop me running the next week (because my physio daughter said, “Dad, your soleus needs a rest”), I rode my bicycle the 13 km so as to watch, being very careful not to put my running shoes in my panniers. One reason for doing such was to check out how to “do the stopwatch”… I figured out that if I volunteered, I wouldn’t have to run. Having done that, I cycled home, having already committed myself to volunteering the next week primarily to stop me running too soon… well I could see from the blogs, I would need to volunteer anyway, so why not whilst I was injured. I did, and it seemed that my inimitable style with accompanying commentary was accepted by all (at least I received no complaints from the 105 people I timed of whom the walker Pat was last!!) This coming week I plan to go against the flow of chasing PBs… it’ll also help my soleus recover completely. I plan to be a social runner and start from the rear of the field and slowly move forward through the field… it also really takes the pressure off that first corner. Such will also keep me away from chasing that PB and preserving my leg providing I keep that adrenaline rush under control. I will try and talk encouragingly to each runner I pass in a unique way. I should still do the run in under 25, but that of course depends on my leg holding out… either way, I can stretch it out as I cycle home. I have resolved myself to the fact that I will probably never be as fast as I was, AND there are many runners my age who are faster.. if not at this parkrun, then elsewhere. But I’ll be up at 5.30 am Saturday to get myself there on time. I am looking forward to many a parkrun to come.
Ken Stewart - Big thanks to Jon Storey, parkrun and all the Claisebrook Cove parkrunners. This time last year I was just a fun runner, now I feel proud to be part of this great group of people and call myself a runner. I even have a medal and shirt to prove it! I look forward to many more runs and meeting and making many more friends in the future from this great event.
Tony Smith - Great work Jon Storey with Claisebrook Cove parkrun’s birthday run and every other run you are part off. Proud to know you and your family and the fantastic stuff you do to promote running in WA.
Pete Conroy - Massive thanks to everyone involved in making today's Claisebrook Cove birthday a fantastic occasion. It was great to see so many people enjoying themselves. And thank you to everyone who has given up their time and volunteered throughout the year. Huge thanks too to Jonathan Storey and his family for all the hard work they put in to make this event happen. I know - to some extent- what is involved and it's all done during his own time. So, thank you all, and here's to another successful, fun filled year.
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: Stacy Edwards
Club: Run Inn Runners
Age: 40 (32 in my head)
Home parkrun: Mitchelton
Occupation: High school teacher
Number of runs: 14 + 5 Freedom Runs along the courses including at last year's Longest parkrun.
PB: 26:10 mins (11 more secs to go!) although my PB at parkrun is a little slower (27:51), probably because I'm too busy chatting or trying to smile for the photographer instead of looking exhausted.
Number of times volunteered: 4
Favourite volunteer role: Anything I can't stuff up really, but don't ever ask me to timekeep - eek!
What do like about volunteering at parkrun: Everything. The sense of anticipation I feel for the runners at the start; wondering where they are on course at any given time; the excitement of watching the leaders come around the final corner; and sharing with runners, the highlights of their run. But mostly, I love being a part of this wonderful community of people who come together for half an hour or so on a Saturday morning to run, especially when I'm injured and can't run myself.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: Kiara's Mars Bar Slice. Yes, that's right, we just don't celebrate a great run with a pat on the back, we have cake/slice too. What an awesome way to start the weekend!
How can we improve parkrun: Not sure. It's pretty good already.
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 AU
There is now a parkrun show podcast just for parkrun Australia.
You can listen to the show online now.
The parkrun Show Global
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.
Brought to you by Marathon Talk.
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