welcome to the newsletter
In this week’s newsletter we update you on the proposed New Zealand tour, hear from our Antarctic Explorer and a member of a global parkrunning family shares her story.
On Saturday I was lucky enough to attend the launch of Ipswich QLD parkrun. I say lucky because it was a real honour to finally meet new Event Director Rochelle Vaisanen who has one of the most inspiring stories I have ever heard, and that is saying something given some of the incredible people within the parkrun family. To hear Rochelle’s story in full listen to this week’s episode of the parkrun show Australia podcast, you won’t regret it!
The good people at Gungahlin parkrun have put together an awesome promotional video for their booming event. Watch it here... next stop the Logies?
During the week one of our Event Directors asked me to remind you all of our policy surrounding dogs at parkrun so here is some excerpts from the parkrun support website:
- Most of our events do allow runners with dogs, though in some locations this may not be possible, please ask at your local event.
- Please note that we allow 1 dog per runner.
- We ask that at all times your dog is under firm control, kept on a short lead or harness, and that you take extreme care to avoid tripping other runners.
- Remember, you cannot register your dog, or any other animal, with parkrun - this is for humans only.
Lastly, just a reminder that although it is possible in some locations to ‘do the double’ and run 2 parkrun events on a single Saturday (Kirra-Kingscliff, Curl Curl-St Peters), only your first run of the day will count towards your parkrun club shirt. Your second run of the day will be published as ‘unknown runner’. The reason we do this is that we want to encourage you to stay back after parkrun and mingle with your family, friends and the broader community.
Happy running,
Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)
Only 248 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.
Essential stats
Number of runners – 10, 833
Number of volunteers – 555
Number of new registrations – 2,155
Total number of registered parkrunners – 86,297
New Zealand tour update
The full itinerary for the proposed parkrun tour of New Zealand is now available on the Facebook event page. A brief summary is as follows:
The package is a cooperation between Flight Centre and NZ specialist tour operator ANZCRO and any questions can be directed to our 'dedicated' parkrun travel agent, Kim Ober, on kim.ober@flightcentre.com.au.
Antarctica 'pop up' parkrun update
Blackbutt and Newy parkrun Run Director Jodie Tersteeg is currently in Antarctica as part of her studies and last week organized an amazing ‘pop-up parkrun’. We have created a Facebook event page for Jodie so make sure you check it out for more info! Here is the latest update from Jodie –
I was due to fly back yesterday but due to the weather the flight has been delayed until Monday. And that is not guaranteed so it may be even later in the week. I don't mind so much!! The only challenge is that my check-in luggage has already been checked in and I won't see it again until Christchurch, so I have only my carry-on bag for the next couple of days. Lucky I kept a few spare clothes in it. Another slight challenge is the water desalination machine is playing up so we have tight water restrictions. Which means no showers! Feels like we're out in the field again. It also means not flushing every time you use the bathroom!
At the moment there are 30 knot winds and very heavy snow. It looks incredibly beautiful but we are not allowed to go outside unless absolutely necessary. This is the first time I have seen snow travelling horizontally.
Scott Base is a really nice, comfortable place. It has a wonderful lounge/library room with big windows that look out over the water. Last night we were watching big icebergs float by. Because of the strong winds and the lack of sea ice, large chunks have been breaking off the Ice Shelf and floating out to sea. One of these icebergs had a colony of Adelie penguins on it!! The night before a pod of killer whales cruised by. I have never seen so many people jump up from the dinner table at one time and rush to the windows. It was a special sight, even for the Scott Base staff who have seen just about everything.
It certainly is a very special place out here!!
Explosive Energy has arrived!
Check out the latest innovation from adidas – Springblade. 6 years in the making, the shoe features 16 individually tuned blades that store and release more energy with every stride, and literally, propels you forward.
Springblade’s radical design combines energy performance benefits with superior cushioning and comfort – giving you the feeling of springs under your feet. These futuristic looking running shoes are undeniably explosive. Click here to check out more.
My Global parkrunning Family by Louise Gaspar
I am one of five children, we are spread all over the world and it takes a wedding or a family crisis to get us together. We were lucky enough to all be together for Christmas last year and as we gathered at the Sunshine Coast my 11 year old nephew from London (in the orange shirt below) suggested a parkrun, for EVERYONE. He had conquered the Wimbledon Common parkrun course in the UK and was keen to set a mean pace at an Australian parkrun. A quick Google search showed us that Kawana was our closest. On the Friday night we put down our wine glasses, registered online, cut out bar codes and laid out running clothes for an early Saturday morning start.
My husband and I are keen runners and were skeptical about how a 5km timed run could replace the simplicity of going for an ordinary run as part our own exercise regime. How wrong we were.
Our first parkrun was full of so many firsts. My # 2 daughter ran her first 5km. My # 1 daughter ran her fastest time. I was first finisher in the old lady category (45-49). My sister proudly walked the 5km and my other sister who has taken up running a year ago, blitzed it. As for my nephew who started all of this he finished in just over 20min!
parkrun has changed our Saturdays. We love the run. We love going out for breakfast afterwards to celebrate. We love waiting for the results after our much deserved lunch time rest. We love the photos that come out in the afternoon and we love the email with our place in our category.
As our holiday came to an end we vowed to keep going and have found a parkrun close to our home. Although not together as a family with work and school pushing us to the corners of the world, we can do the parkrun whenever we are. Last weekend my sister did the Darwin parkrun, we were at New Farm parkrun and my nephew was doing the course in Wimbledon Common. When family and friends come to visit us at the Sunshine Coast house rules are you have to bring toilet paper and a magazine, now my rules are you have to do Kawana parkrun (might slow down our visiting numbers for a while but it's worth it).
Advertising on the parkrun.com.au website
Many of you will know that parkrun survives on commercial revenue from sponsors and partners. Well, we've been working on an exciting new development for 2014 which will allow us to display digital ads on the parkrun.com.au website. These ads will replace the automatically generated Google Adsense ads, and will allow us to display more relevant, better curated ads to you when you visit parkrun.com.au.
We're keen to support the organisations that support us, and so whilst we trial the system we're offering a special introductory rate for February and March. To find out more, and to receive the full media kit with traffic, stats and available placements, drop Russ an email on russ.jefferys@parkrun.com
Nutrient Absorption: It’s not only what you take, but what you take it with that makes the difference
Does this sound familiar, it’s 6.30am you have quickly eaten breakfast and are racing out the door when you realize you haven’t taken your supplement (s) for the day. You dash back in grab them all and throw them down with your cup of coffee that you have just made???? Phewwwww, lucky you didn’t forget…but how much value are you getting from those supplements when you take them all together or even with a cup of coffee?
Click here to read a few simple tips to help you get the most out of your nutrients and your money!!
Trish from Enrich Health & Nutrition
Upcoming Special Events
February
15 – Kirra (Qld) 2nd anniversary
22 – Tuggeranong (ACT) 1st anniversary
March
8 – Albury Wodonga (NSW / Vic) launch, Parramatta (NSW) 1st anniversary
15 – Cambelltown (NSW) launch, Albert Melbourne (Vic) cancelled
22 – Mount Barker (SA) launch
29 – Riverway (Qld) 1st anniversary
Feedback from the field
Kerry Bray - I was a first timer at St Peters parkrun last Saturday. What a fantastic morning! I loved the concept, the excellent organisation and the extremely friendly fellow runners. I shall return!
Caroline Marshall - Last Saturday my husband, our 12 year old son and I braved the 8am run at the Rockingham parkrun and we had a great time. In spite of hurting his calf muscle my husband, son and I all finished and felt really thrilled to be a small part of such a cool community event. Many people smiled and clapped and encouraged us as we ran past and it was just an awesome, easy way for us to get out and try the 5km distance in a non-threatening environment!! Runners of all shapes and sizes, some doing a jog some really looking super fit and professional and yet all had that common goal of finishing the distance and having a good time doing it. The organisers were friendly and helpful and did not judge us for only having just got off the couch My family will definitely be back on Saturday this week and hopefully each week we'll improve on our PB's and if nothing else I'll survive the Triathlon I'm training for in March:) If you were wondering about giving this a go, wonder no more, come down and give it a go!!!
Terry Baker - I travelled from Sydney to Adelaide last weekend to do the Torrens parkrun and had a very memorable day. Great course, nice weather, got the run done before it heated up and met a bunch of really nice people. After 42 parkruns I finally got to do the post run breakfast and chat session and that is just another hidden parkrun gem. I still had time to do some actual tourist stuff as well. This is my sixth different parkrun course and like the others it is well organised and helpful for first timers or tourists so put it on your wish list. I would like to think I can get back here again. Thanks Torrens.
Mil Clayton - Just a quick note to congratulate you on such a well organised event. I attended my first ever parkrun at New Farm parkrun last Saturday and loved it. Well organised, friendly folks, a lovely run along the Brissie River... and to top it off I got a new 5km PB! I’m definitely keen to return and to try out more courses. Thanks to all the volunteers and organisers too - well done!
Kate Hosking - I'm a Tuggeranong parkrunner and on a recent trip back to Melbourne I timed it so that I could stop in and do the Highlands parkrun. I can highly recommend this event as it is a small group of incredibly friendly and helpful runners. The run is
three loops around a lake. As one runner pointed out to me, the repetition works on your mental stamina. Nice. They are discussing extending the track to make it one loop. There is a cafe at the start/finish line that allows you in to use the toilet before the run and is open and ready to serve you post run. I'm a bit fussy about my piccolo lattes and this one was perfect. There were comments made that as Albert Melbourne parkrun will lose a parkrunday due to the Grand Prix they should all head up to Craigieburn. What a great idea! Yes it's on the other side of town, but traffic is light at that time of day. If they could car pool, it would make for a lovely morning out. Just saying
Shaheera Huggins - After relocating to Sydney from Melbourne this year we have been enjoying being parkrun tourists, with so many parkruns to choose from! Today we headed up to Lake Mac parkrun for their 1st anniversary celebrations. I was overwhelmed by the generosity of a fellow runner who ran with me and paced me to a great finish - thank you Shane. parkrunners are an amazing group of generous people.
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: Grant Wholey
Club: WA Marathon club
Age: 50
Home parkrun: Kalgoorlie Boulder parkrun
Occupation: Sales
Number of runs: 16
PB: 19:10
Number of times volunteered: 10
Favourite volunteer role: Finish tokens or photos
What do like about volunteering at parkrun: I like to feel that I’m contributing to a community event and giving back to running which has helped me so much. I like to see how happy people are when the finish with a sense of achievement on their faces.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: New Year’s Day in the rain, watching everyone cross the line soaked but happy they had started the year on a positive note.
How can we improve parkrun: Wow that’s a tough question, all the jobs are all so easy and so much fun, once people volunteer once they see how easy it is and are happy to do it again. Maybe a direct approach would work, it’s human nature not to want to say no.
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