welcome to the newsletter
In this week’s newsletter we welcome 2014 with a bang, hear from a parkrunning poet who didn’t even know it and celebrate another parkrun love story.
So we are now one week into 2014 and already things are going gangbusters here at parkrun!
On New Year’s Day I had the pleasure of attending Mitchelton parkrun with 219 other folk who had decided to start 2014 in style. This was my first time at Mitchelton and the reasonably flat out-and-back course was ideal for pram running with my son Jack. It was also the first time my 1 week old daughter Evie had been to a parkrun and she was suitably impressed! She still can’t believe it’s free!
We weren’t alone in our New Year’s Day parkrunning. In fact 20 events were held around the country with a total attendance of 2,163, all made possible by 146 dedicated volunteers. I think it is safe to say that all of our festive period events have been a big success and that the tradition looks set to grow stronger come the end of 2014.
On Saturday just past we returned to regular service with all of our events in operation and another wonderful launch in Brisbane with Rocks Riverside parkrun getting underway. However the day for many of our parkrunners in South East Queensland will be remembered for one thing, extreme heat, with temperature records smashed right across the region. I was at Main Beach parkrun on the Gold Coast where even with sea breezes and shelter from sand dunes it was the hottest I have ever been at a parkrun.
Meanwhile over on the west coast it seems the weather was perfect for running as almost every WA event set a course attendance record. Could it be that Western Australian’s are taking their new year’s resolutions extra seriously this year? I’ve since been informed by Claisebrook Cove parkrun Event Director Jon Storey that around 20 members of our national women’s hockey squad, the Hockeyroos, and their head coach Adam Commens took part in his event. In fact, the first female finisher was none other than Hockeyroo Anna Flanagan in a very respectable 20:24!
As 2013 is now ancient history, well a week old at least, we have started to crunch some of the numbers that show very clearly just what it great year it was for parkrun, both here and abroad. Looking globally, there are now over 760,000 registered parkrunners across 10 countries, with over 332,000 folks completing their first run with parkrun in 2013. Just over 1.95 million runs were recorded last year taking our total number of runs since we started in the UK in 2004 to 3.92 million! Making all this possible was the amazing 42,800 unique volunteers who volunteered in excess of 180,000 times across 362 events or locations while delivering 14,015 events during the year. 153 new events were added in 2013 and the parkrun tourist fever continued to grow.
In Australia in 2013 we had 221,337 runs at 1,757 events in 56 locations on 54 dates. We had 43,001 different identified runners of which 19,803 were males and 23,198 females. Go ladies! Interestingly, according to Road Running Australia, this actually makes 5km the most popular running distance in the country (approx. 260,000 completed) with the 2nd most popular being 10km (104,000).
Did somebody say “running revolution”?
Finally, I want to give a huge shout out to Main Beach parkrunner Morgan Nihot (see picture below on the right) who joined the 50-club on Saturday. Oh, one more thing, Morgan is only 5 years old!!! Well done also to Morgan’s parents Paula (55 runs) and Karl (68) who are of course the inspiration behind Morgan, Ciarn (JW14 55) and Ethan (JM14 69). Incredible!
Happy running,
Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)
p.s. Only 283 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.
Cleveland parkrun by Run Director Jacqui Rhodes
5.45am, the alarm goes beep, beep, beep,
Oh Man! It’s too early, let me go back to sleep.
But it’s the thought of the hundred odd bright, smiling faces,
Waiting ready, on the basketball court, to be put through their paces.
The Event Team are out hammering flags on the course,
The lure of feet pounding the pavement, it’s a phenomenal force!
The Stop watch is set, shoelaces tied,
Don’t forget your barcode and keep to the left hand side.
Through park, scrub and boardwalk we are ready to run,
But the main thing is to remember, of course, is have fun!
Volunteers, cheering us in their bright yellow vest,
We think you’re awesome, really the best.
From babes in prams to young at heart,
We gather around getting ready to start.
The Run Director’s cry goes out and off we all go,
It’s only 5ks, and it doesn’t matter if you are fast or you’re slow.
We cheer each and every one of you as you cross over the line,
As you all check your watches eager to know your finish time!
So what is this wonderful, community thing dragging us all from our bed?
Why it’s Cleveland parkrun and I can’t get it out of my head!
Without one woman’s vision we all wouldn’t be here,
So Olivia Coop we thank you and we’ll now give a big cheer!
A Life-Changing Year by Yvonne Hick
The year is now over, and didn't it fly by? I had the most amazing year and thought I would take a moment to share one of my 2013-highlights with you.
On the 12th of January I took part in Claisebrook Cove parkrun, it was my 7th parkrun and I did enjoy every single run but this one was special because it changed my life. It was a beautiful sunny day and I had a good run. Just a few meters from "Heartbreak Hill" a very fit and good looking guy overtook me. I have to admit, I am highly competitive and I was slightly disappointed in losing my overall position just a few meters from the finish line. Apparently I muttered some incomprehensible abuse after he passed me - that is certainly not true (Ha! ha!). However, not wanting me to think he was the classic male chauvinist, just because he pipped me to the finish, he came over to me to set the story straight. That's how our relationship started.... I am now the happiest I have ever been. He is the love of my life.
In the meantime we've moved to Europe but parkrun has earned a special place in our hearts and we miss it dearly!
Happy New Year!
Upcoming Special Events
January
11 - Shepparton (Vic) & Pioneer (WA) launches
18 - Point Cook (Vic) launch / St Peters (NSW) 2nd anniversary
February
8 - Ipswich (Qld) launch / Lake Mac (NSW) 1st anniversary
15 - Kirra (Qld) 2nd Anniversary
22 - Tuggeranong (ACT) 1st anniversary
Feedback from the field
Tom Barnsley – Last Saturday was my first time at Fingal Bay parkrun and I really enjoyed it. Great atmosphere and very well controlled. I congratulate the volunteers on a great effort in putting it together. Well done all.
Gary Clarke - This week we said goodbye to a Tuggeranong parkrun family who have been part of our community here since March. Dale, Darlene and Grace Murray have run a combined 365km @ parkrun, been tourists at 3 different parkruns in 3 states, run 14 PBs, volunteered 7 times, claimed a Junior 10 shirt (when they were available) and two parkrunners of the month whilst being a great support to the Tuggeranong team of Directors. Their "Team Salvos" mates celebrated with breakfast at our local cafe (5Senses) and presented them with a memento of their time at Tuggeranong parkrun (see image below. Having now moved to Armidale, the pressure is on for them to work with some locals to get "Australia's Highest parkrun" up and running.......
Joanne Lawrence – Coomera parkrun is such a beautiful and friendly event. Thank you for making us all feel so welcome. It was very hot but we still really enjoyed the 5km course, my favourite parkrun so far. Also, a delicious breakfast afterwards!
David Laird - I did my 50th parkrun at Newy on New Year’s Day and I, together with 2 others, were very pleased to be acknowledged for having achieved this milestone. While a group of us were chatting after the run, Chris Smith, who has become quite a personality at Newy, joined us and told us that it was the anniversary of his first parkrun. His first parkrun, on 1.1.13, took about 1hr, and he now has a PB of 39.02. More importantly, in the last year Chris has also achieved a very significant 50. He has lost 50 kilograms!! Chris I salute you, your effort well and truly trumps my 50. And what a wonderful example of the enormous public health benefits available to our communities, for free, every week, through parkrun and its volunteers!!
Samantha Summons - It was the beginning of October 2013 and after having a new baby 5 months earlier I decided to get back on the road to fitness and better health! It just so happened that a friend of mine mentioned the new Berwick Springs parkrun that was starting up where you do a 5km fun run every Saturday and try to better your time each week! I thought I'd give it a go so I downloaded some music onto my phone and participated in one of Berwick Springs' dry runs! I managed to shuffle along and completed the run in 42.23. I have since attended 12 parkruns and have beaten my PB 8 times with my latest PB being 28.55. I have lost over 9kg due to eating better and also lots of exercise and I love that parkrun has become one of my weekly training sessions! It's free, fun and the organisers and participants are all so lovely and encouraging! They have enthusiastically helped to celebrate my achievements and I've loved watching them achieve their own goals too! I can't wait to smash some more PBs in 2014! Thank you parkrun!
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: Lexi & Kato
Club: parkrun is my club!
Age: 41 & almost 3
Home parkrun: Claisebrook Cove
Occupation: Comms Tech. & Puppy
Number of runs: 40 official, plus 4.5 freedom runs on the longest parkrun day. I missed the first half of one due to the need to sleep.
PB: 28:02. But only because of the support of fellow parkrunners.
Number of times volunteered: 13
Favourite volunteer role: Tough choice. But I like being at the finish. Every single person smiles after they cross the line, no matter what.
What do like about volunteering at parkrun: Same as what everybody says, it's such a special thing to be part of, and as a volunteer you get to know the names of the faces you see every week.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: 1st Birthday Bash at Claisebrook Cove, the theme was PJ party. Loved being the tail runner wearing slippers and matching stripy onesies.
How can we improve parkrun: We are lucky that the Running Centre support our volunteers. But maybe if you volunteer more than 3 / 5 /10 times a year, you get points towards your parkrun club shirts.
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
Our Sponsors
all out performance
adidas has been focused on athlete's performance since the first running spikes were made in the 1920's earning the first Olympic gold medal in adidas shoes. Today, adidas is proud to be supporting parkrunners everywhere. Explore adidas running
building our future
Stockland is Australia’s largest diversified property group. We develop and manage residential communities, retirement living villages and retail centres – the building blocks of thriving communities. Explore Stockland