welcome to this week's newsletter
In this week’s newsletter we welcome our 52nd event to the family, the kids take over at Fingal Bay, and we prepare for the final weekend of 'boost your parkrun'.
On Saturday I attended Mudgeeraba parkrun for the first time, our 5th event on the Gold Coast, and the first on the western side of the M1. When we launched Main Beach parkrun back in April 2011 I predicted that the Gold Coast could handle a maximum of 4 different parkrun events so I have now been proven wrong as this location is the perfect addition to an already fabulous offering of events. Well done to Event Directors Carl and Stuart and thanks to Remax Regency for your local support.
People often ask me why parkrun has boomed in places like the Gold Coast, Brisbane, Newcastle and Perth but is yet to really make an impact in our two biggest cities, Sydney and Melbourne. I don’t have a definitive answer for that although I assume it has something to do with the fact that Sydneysiders and Melbournians already have a plethora of different events and activities on offer around the clock, both running related and otherwise, that must diminish the need for things like parkrun. I could be completely way off the mark with this guess though so if you have any ideas why this could be I would love to hear them.
We welcomed a new event to the family on Saturday, our 52nd, at Diamond Creek in north-east Melbourne (see image above) and I received this wonderful account from Event Director Nikki Waterfall the following day –
We had 47 runners cross the line and amazing feedback. It is hard to describe the feeling of people seeking you out to say thank you for organising it. I will absolutely admit that I was on a high watching every person make the 5km and cross the line because of something we have worked hard to organise and make happen. All day we have been getting more 'Likes' on Facebook and already some more registrations. Several people told us they would be telling their friends. So it's onwards and upwards for us down here in Diamond Creek.
It absolutely warms my heart to receive feedback like this from our Event Directors. I simply can’t stress enough how wonderful these people are for brining you your parkrun week after week and quite literally changing your lives for the better. Thank you Nikki and thank you all of our other amazing Event Directors.
Lastly I want to give a big shout out to all of the Warwick parkrunners who set yet another course attendance record of 156 on Saturday. This is fantastic in itself however given the town has a population of less than 15,000 it is totally bonkers!
Happy running,
Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)
p.s. Only 325 days until International parkrun Day 2014
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.
Boost your parkrun
This weekend is the 3rd and final weekend where you can boost your parkrun with adidas! This Saturday we will be measuring the total number of runners as a percentage of the event's total number of registered runners. This means every parkrun is in with a chance, no matter how big or small. They just need you! The parkrun with the largest number of attendees will be rewarded with a $1000 towards a parkrun party, so bring your game this Saturday.
Need that extra boost to smash your PB? Try adidas Boost. By combining thousands of micro energy capsules into one midsole, BOOST provides significantly more energy return than any other material available on the market. Learn about it here
#boostyourparkun
Kids Rule @ Final Bay parkrun
I'd just like to say how proud I was as Event Director at Fingal Bay parkrun on Saturday morning when we hosted our wonderful young volunteers for the day. I cannot express how awesome they all were... right from the start with everyone chipping in to set up parkrun, then young Jack our Run Director welcomed everyone and gave an overview of the course before handing over to little Josh who dished out the best ever warm-up to ensure our runners the best chance at a PB. The turn-point marshals wore their little arms out giving high-5s to everyone, and our pacers and tail bike did a fantastic job at pushing the runners to their best, and making sure everyone got in safe and sound. The timing went smoothly with the girls keeping pace on handing out finish tokens, and the scanning crew were like a well-oiled machine ) All in all, a brilliant team effort... demonstrating that parkrun volunteering is fun, easy, and very rewarding!
Jaci from Fingal Bay parkrun
2014 and beyond...
The following locations have expressed an interest in having a parkrun start up in 2014. If you live in any of these locations and are keen to get involved please get in touch:
Airlie Beach, Albury & Wodonga, Alice Springs, Armidale, Ballarat, Bargara, Batemans Bay, Bathurst, Caloundra, Cessnock, Charleville, Charters Towers, Cheltenham, Chinchilla, Chirnside, Collarenebri, Coolum, Coonabarabran, Dalby, Devonport, Drysdale, Echuca, Emerald, Emerald Lakes, Evans Head, Fitzroy Crossing, Fitzroy Gardens, Forest Hill, Forestville, Frankston, Greensborough, Gympie, Hervey Bay, Hilbert, Hobart, Inverell, Ipswich, Joondalup, Karratha, Katherine, Kellyville, Kempsey, Kialla, Killalea, Kingaroy, Lake Hamilton, Lakes Entrance, Lennox Head, Lilydale, Lilyfield, Mackay, Medowie/Raymond Tce, Middlemount, Mornington Peninsula, Mt Barker, Nambucca Heads, Noosa, Ocean Grove, Palm Island, Penrith, Peregian, Pinjarra, Point Cook, Port Douglas, Rockhampton, Roma, Russell Island, Shepparton, Shoalhaven, Singleton, South Gippsland, South West Rocks, Stanthorpe, Summerland Point, Sutherland, Swan Hill, Tamworth, Torquay, Tuggerawong, Ulverstone, Warburton, Warrnambool, Wynyard, Yamba and Yarrabilba!
Tales from Launceston
Launceston parkrun celebrated its 1st anniversary on Saturday and to celebrate Event Director Craig Boon (shown receiving a plaque of recognition from local running identity Mike Spray) asked for testimonials from people who wanted to share their love of parkrun. Here are two of the best:
Lance Beament - In November 2012 I had my 5th hip operation in just over 20 years since I had turned 18. After the awesome work of my surgeon, I started swimming for recovery and found I actually enjoyed it, so much so that I was swimming a minimum of 4 times a week, and doing 1.5 - 2 km each time. In January at much persuasion by my wife I did my first fun run with her and our three children, a 5km run on Australia Day in Launceston. The run took me 36 minutes, I was real slow but I enjoyed immensely. I was 103.7kg and I decided I just had to get the weight off and keep it off otherwise my hip would never get better. To give myself a goal to keep fit I made the commitment to do Launceston and Burnie 10’s and challenged all of my workmates to do the same. I started following a running plan and using a calorie counting apps on my Smartphone, and really ramped up the running. In February I found out about a wonderful weekly event called parkrun and after my first I was hooked. Great organisers, helpful and encouraging runners and all whilst fostering a competitive event. My 5km time quickly dropped from 36 minutes in January to a best of 22:17 in August. Not only have I been able to improve my own health and fitness through parkrun, but I have been afforded the wonderful opportunity to help other parkrun runners by volunteering at 3 events so far. Volunteering is such a great part of parkrun, as it allows such awesome event to be made available to no cost to the individual. So far I have successfully completed both Launceston and Burnie 10’s, Ross half marathon, and entered Point to Pinnacle and Cadbury half marathon. And the result, well now I tip the scales at 77.5kg, and I run 5km in 22:17, 10km in 47:57 and half in 1:48:17.
Leanne Evans - Throughout my school years I rarely ran, I did not view myself as athletic or a capable of running. My focus was swimming. During my 20’s I continued swimming, played netball and attended a gym. I was fit and healthy. Slowly through my 30’s, due to a degenerative heart condition, my exercise tolerance decreased to the point where I struggled to walk around the block. As my exercise ability reduced, my weight increased. At age 41 I had major heart surgery. Following my surgery I gradually began to exercise again. I attended a local gym and with the support of my husband and friends I began running. Initially I was barely able to run 50m. Gradually I increased the distance until I was able to run 5km. My goal was to enter a 5km fun run. I was running 5km once or twice a month with a friend. At the beginning of December attended my first parkrun, and have attended most weeks since. I am competitive against myself and the fact parkrun is a timed event encouraged me to improve my running and fitness. I quickly realised that my parkrun time is not going to improve with the odd 5km with my friend, therefore I began running more frequently and joined a local running group for support and training tips. I have taken almost 5mins off my 5km time. parkrun has transformed me into a runner. I have lost 18kg since my cardiac surgery, and feel better than I have done for many years. I no longer just run the odd 5km, but run 4 – 6 days a week. My immediate goal is the Point to Pinnacle in less than 2 weeks, then the Cadbury Half early next year. parkrun has provided an opportunity to meet some fantastic people, some, who like me, have recently started running and others who have run for many years. One aspect of parkrun which I really like is that it is a community event open for all people, from the serious runner to the recreational runner and those beginning their exercise journey. parkrun is a fantastic community event which relies on volunteers. I have volunteered numerous times and love encouraging people and seeing their improvement.
Pass on the Salt
Ever wondered how much is too much??? The current RDA of sodium for an adult is set at 1600mg of sodium per day (approx 4 grams of salt), with an maximum upper limit of 2300mg (about 6 grams of salt) in order to prevent the onset of chronic disease. This is about half of what many Australians are currently consuming. Salt and sodium are not the same. Salt is made up of both sodium and chloride. A small amount of salt is important for good health – it helps to maintain the correct volume of circulating blood and tissue fluids in the body, it helps with nerve transmission and it is involved in the contraction and relaxation of muscles.
Click here to read more.
Trish from Enrich Health & Nutrition
Upcoming Event Launches, Anniversaries & Cancellations
Our 35th launch for the year is coming up on Saturday, November 30, at Minnippi [http://www.parkrun.com.au/minnippi/]. Other confirmed launch dates include: 7/12 – Bunyaville, Belmont & Mt Gambier.
Upcoming anniversaries include: 16/11 – Albert Melbourne (2nd); 23/11 – Sandgate (1st); and 7/12 – Torrens (1st).
Upcoming cancellations: 23/11 - Fingal Bay.
Feedback from the field
Libby Sargent - Congratulations to Julie Bryant from Main Beach parkrun, 1st Australian female to join the 100-club!
Captain Dale Murray from The Salvation Army - A big THANK YOU to parkrun and parkrunners across Australia who on 26th October generously donated to The Salvation Army's Bush Fire Appeal. All donations 100% will help the Salvos provide vital ongoing assistance in both the short and long term to hundreds of individuals and families in the Blue Mountains and surrounding areas who had their properties and livelihoods either destroyed or damaged by last month’s bush fires. The Australian community have again demonstrated their tremendous spirit of generosity at a time when other Aussies are in need and doing it tough. As a parkrunner myself, I am so excited this same spirit is truly alive and well in parkrunners across Australia. This is one reason why parkrun is such a fantastic community.
Verity Currey - I am the Chair of the Volunteer Organising Committee for Cancer Council Newcastle / Lake Macquarie Relay For Life and also a Newy parkrunner. I just wanted to say a huge thank you to parkrun Australia for becoming involved in our event and to Dave Robertson (Robbo) of Newy parkrun for donating his time and expertise to our first Relay Midnight 5km. I admit I was freaking out a little bit never having organised one but Dave's laid back attitude and quiet confidence calmed my nerves. It vastly exceeded all my expectations! It added a whole new level of fun to the Relay experience and from the feedback on Facebook, has given birth to a whole new group of runners! So I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone who took part, raised some money for a deserving cause and have given us such positive feedback about next year’s event! I hope with your blessing it will be “a keeper”. RUNNERS ROCK!!!
Jenny Pearson - I was a first timer recently and made the effort to go into South Bank to help smash some attendance records!! I will most likely be running closer to home at Cleveland or Wynnum from now on. I just wanted to say how much fun my boyfriend and I had and to say thanks for such a well organized event! We had a great run and lots of fun with 900 other people!! Thanks again.
Phil Ackland - This is how you run a Marathon parkrun style. Form a relay team of 5km Mt Gambier parkrunners to cover the 42km course between them and line up at the start. Exactly what our team did today. Plenty of support and fun along the way and the Port of Portland 3 Bays Marathon is done! I wonder how many teams we can fill for next year’s event?
Gillian Sandwith - Hello fellow parkrunners. I had a terrific time helping South Bank break the Australian record recently. Great effort. However, with a bigger than average group it is really interesting to note the gendered differences when running. I happened to be elbowed three times (and nearly knocked off my feet) on three different occasions by three different men. One was semi apologetic, he gave a wave and shouted a ‘sorry mate’, until he had to apologise again when he realised I was an older woman. Not fun. I love parkrun because of its emphasis on fun, community participation and accessibility rather than having a focus on ‘competition’ and ‘racing’. It is amazing that nearly half of the runners are women, indicating parkrun is safe, inclusive and fun for women too. Please guys remember your running etiquette when you are going for your PB’s, some of us women fear being knocked over and don’t like to be elbowed.
Terry Baker - I know volunteering is an important part of parkrun and a personal decision to make for each runner but I volunteered again this week at St Peters and took a swag of pictures which will become a running memory for that person and that makes me feel proud that I put and hand up to do the job. So if you have not volunteered have a go and maybe start with marshalling or collecting tokens after they are scanned anything that helps the parkrun experience.
Melissa Erbacher - Hey parkrun Australia, just wanted to share with you this short video of John Taylor finishing his 50th run at Kawana parkrun this morning. John is the first person to run ALL 50 of his parkruns at Kawana, and he's 80 years young to boot - absolutely inspirational!
Gary Clarke - Had a ball at Tuggeranong parkrun today. Here are just some of the pacers helping people to run their PBs.
Dan Baldwin – Congratulations to Nikki and her eager and friendly team of volunteers for hosting the inaugural Diamond Creek parkrun. The rain held off for the briefing and the parkrun which we all thankful for. I was impressed with the out and back course which was very scenic along the creek with a few little rises. There was an excellent sense of parkrun community at the finish line with everyone talking about the run and other parkruns. For a parkrun tourist, this area is great to visit too. Thanks Nikki for a top morning.
Mark Northcott - Thanks to Jaci Richards for surprising me with my 50-club shirt at Fingal Bay parkrun on Saturday. I was not expecting it at all!
Jo Cootes - Wynnum parkrun has such a lovely course and welcoming atmosphere. Thanks again for making us all feel very welcome. We will come back again, I have to say you have it all... parkrun, water, breakfast and great coffee across the way and simply the best water / park for kids!! I really appreciate the time you take and invest into new people, very reassuring.
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: Kate Wake
Club: I joined the Five30 Runners club - they told me it would make me run faster but it just makes me laugh harder.
Age: Very young. And tall. Oh, look over there, a shiny thing!
Home parkrun: St Peters parkrun in sunny downtown Sydney by the Sea.
Occupation: Mother of the Year and Rainbow Warrior.
Number of runs: How many have I run or how many does it feel like I have run? I have run about 20. It feels like 200, or none, depending on the morning. Some mornings I'm full of butterflies and I feel like a knob. Others I rock up feeling like a too-comfortable (VERY YOUNG) veteran.
PB: I'm slow. Somewhere between half an hour and a full hour. When you like to think of the cup half full, surely that makes my PB a half full hour.
Number of times volunteered: um. I don't know. A few. If the bestest Event Director in the universe ever asks for help, I'll volunteer and co-opt a few of my friends. As far as we're concerned, if Paul Wilcock asks, he shall receive. He's a lovely human being, and his wonderful, patient, fast-running wife Emily supports our brilliant parkrun so far above and beyond the call of duty, it's a pleasure to jump in when necessary.
Favourite volunteer role: Chalking. Oh man, the Traffic Light themed singles parkrun chalking was ridiculously good fun. We have an amazing regular chalker, Athene, who comes up from Wollongong every Saturday and chalks before she actually comes back and runs it. On the singles Traffic Light run day she was stopped by train track work. I dragged Michelle McTavish Ward out with me at sparrow fart, and with a torch and buckets of rainbow chalk from the Summer Hill Rainbow Crossing we enlivened and envulgarated parkrun.
What do like about volunteering at parkrun: I love giving back to my parkrun what it gives to me. And it feels like it really is MY parkrun...that it's everyone's parkrun. I've done scads of volunteer work over the years, and I realise that without reliable, cheerful, volunteers in plentiful numbers, great things die. I never want to imagine a future with our parkrun.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: Well, I've mentioned the chalk.... But we HAVE to talk about the high-fives. Seriously. I get such anxiety about whether I should shove my hand out or not when I marshall. Some of those fast folk terrify me with their concentration, but then I don't want to snub them. And I don't want to look like Mr Bean going to high-five people when they don't want to high-five or haven't noticed my awkward (jazz) hand gestures. And so I keep my hand ready... but of course I miss a few. Then if I do get a willing "fiver" I'm not sure whether to do a clap, slap or tap kind of a high-five. I think we probably need a workshop in high-fives.
How can we improve parkrun: That high-five workshop?
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 barcode = No result = No exceptions. To order your barcode on a durable plastic key tag as shown above please click here. #dfyb (don't forget 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
You can download your copy of the parkrun show Australia here. The parkrun show Australia is the free, weekly, timed podcast celebrating parkrun Down Under, hosted by Dave Robbo and Russ Jefferys
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