welcome to the newsletter
For many of you, parkrun is the highlight of your ‘running week’. In fact, for many of you, parkrun may be the ONLY run you do all week. And there’s nothing wrong with that… parkrun can be anything you want it to be.
For some of you however, parkrun is just a small piece of your running puzzle; something that you factor into a much heavier training workload because you have a goal of completing a 10km, half marathon, marathon or even an ultra!
This was on show last Saturday at one of Australia’s most famous and prestigious running events, the Sixfoot Track Marathon; a 45km trail stretching across the Blue Mountains from Katoomba to Jenolan Caves in NSW.
In the women’s event, second place was taken by Curl Curl parkrunner Erika Jordan in a time of 4:20. Erika clearly peaked at the right time as she actually ran her all-time parkrun PB the week before (March 5) of 18:32… a whole 20 seconds faster than her last parkrun on January 23! Third place went to another Curl Curl parkrunner, Sophie Brown, who last ran with us back in July 2015 and PBed at 20:22.
Over in the men’s race, parkrunners took the 1-2 with Tom Do Canto crossing the line in 3:20 and Brendan Davies following him six minutes later.
Tom (pictured above) has a unique place in parkrun folklore as he and his wife Lana were our first ever ‘parkrun-marriage’. They met at St Peters parkrun back in 2012 (Tom was running, Lana was on finish tokens) and before we knew it, boom, they were married! Tom has completed 63 parkruns, holds too many course records to mention and has an all-time PB of 14:40 set way back on 26 April 2014. Tom’s final tune up before Sixfoot Track was, you guessed it, Rhodes parkrun on 5th of March where he ran 15:11.
Brendan has completed 27 parkruns with an all-time PB of 16:36, also set back in 2014. Although to be fair to Brendan, 5km is not his forte. In fact he is one of our countries most successful and versatile endurance runners, having achieved the rare feat of representing Australia in 50km and 100km road running, trail and mountain running at World Championship level.
But Erika, Sophie, Tom and Brendan were only part of the parkrun-story at Sixfoot Track. Back in the field were parkrunners from all over the country, running (and sometimes walking) at various speeds, most with one goal only… to finish!
Tuggeranong parkrunner Peter Thomson came 275th in 5:19 – “Sixfoot Track is only nine parkruns; nine of the toughest and cruellest parkruns. Like parkrun, Sixfoot Track is always a special event. And like parkrun the cheering as you cross the line from other entrants and supporters is really moving.”
Family trio from Dubbo parkrun, Nathan, John and Catherine Robins (pictured below, left to right) all took part with the gents crossing together in 6:23, taking 669th and 670th places respectively. A man a few words, John says – “Sixfoot Track means family, just like parkrun”.
Also from Dubbo parkrun, Ness Hartge crossed in 732rd position in a time of 6:37 – “It was my first Sixfoot Track. A very tough course and midway through I was already selling all my running gear. But, coming down into the caves was my best running experience to date. The cheers, the cow bells, just amazing. After I'd finished, I was already planning the next one!”
So, although many of you are happy with your 5km parkrun every Saturday, don’t be afraid to dream bigger. There are lots of opportunities for you to step-up to something over and above your Saturday 5km. Go for it.
Happy parkrunning,
Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)
Were you a first timer last weekend, did you run a personal best or do you have any other feedback? We would love to hear from you on email, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.
Essential Stats
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Upcoming Special Events
Launches:
19/03 – Rockhampton (Qld)
02/04 – Lismore (NSW), Kedron (Qld)
16/04 – Lalor (Vic), Mackay (Qld)
23/04 – Clare Valley (SA)
30/04 – Parkville (Vic)
07/05 – Batemans Bay (NSW)
14/05 – The Entrance (NSW)
21/05 – Portland (Vic)
Anniversaries:
19/03 – Campbelltown (NSW) 2nd, Yamba (NSW) 1st
26/03 – Manjimup (WA) 2nd, Mount Barker (SA) 2nd, Riverway (QLD) 3rd
02/04 – Main Beach (Qld) 5th, Traralgon (Vic) 1st
09/04 – Fingal Bay (NSW) 3rd, Warragul (Vic) 1st
16/04 – Augustine Heights (Qld) 3rd, Cottesloe (WA) 1st, Sale (Vic) 1st
23/04 – Ginninderra (ACT) 4th, Lillydale Lake (Vic) 2nd, Rockingham (WA) 3rd, Stones Corner (Qld) 2nd
Cancellations:
19/03 – Launceston (Tas), Penrith Lakes (NSW), Menai (NSW), Albert Melbourne (Vic), Armidale (NSW)
26/03 – Taree (NSW)
02/04 – Dubbo (NSW)
23/04 – Port Macquarie (NSW), Penrith Lakes (NSW), Chermside (Qld)
30/04 – Port Macquarie (NSW), Geographe Bay (WA)
parkdog of the week
I’m Ned, a two year old French Bulldog. I attend Gungahlin parkrun as a spectator and give out plenty of encouragement while I’m not supervising the ducks. Oooh ducks! I love wrestling with other dogs at the start and finish line but I just get too puffed to complete the course after so much playing! I enjoy lots of pats from everyone at Gungahlin and always provide a snort in gratitude.
Feedback from the field
Jane Frances - I just wanted to say thank you for the wonderful article from Tracey Cullen in last week's parkrun newsletter. Her description of working with and listening to the suggestions from the fantastic wheelchair athletes at Riverway parkrun is truly inspirational. I love reading the parkrun newsletter each week for the amazing stories of other parkrunners and this week's is the best yet – thank you!
Lynn Williams - I was a first time parkrunner on Saturday at Lake Ginninderra. I have had my printed barcode for a year or so. Wish I hadn't wasted so much time. I loved the run, the people the encouragement. I will be telling everyone not to miss it. Can't wait for the next run. Thank you thank you.
Fiona Evans - I ran my first parkrun in 2012 after a suggestion from a running friend, and becoming a regular parkrunner at Claisebrook Cove has not only built me into a somewhat capable runner, it's also made me a part of a wonderful community of parkrunners that are now my friends. About five months ago, I was able to pay it forward when I encouraged a non-running friend, Lily, to come along. She too has become a regular runner and parkrunner, which brings me almost as much joy as it does her. Last week, I was planning to take it easy so I ran with Lily and ended up making that idle comment: "If you keep running at this pace, you're going to get a PB." Pacing her the rest of the way was an amazing experience. I'm a pretty slow runner and I've never really wanted someone to push me, but now I'm looking forward to the next WA pacing event so I can try for a new PB!
George Walker - I ran the 153rd parkrun at Fingal Bay on Saturday the 5th of March. Well, I was too slow picking up my feet and stumbled on the concrete joint. Of course I fell, tried to miss the concrete and fall to the grass, but was unsuccessful. Took the skin off my left elbow and my left knee and bled very well. I want to extend my gratitude to the two ladies who stopped to help me and the marshal who came to help as well. The marshal washed out my wounds and with the ladies made sure I was ok to continue. I did and when I finished I was again attended to by the volunteers at the finish line. So a BIG THANK YOU to all Fingal Bay parkrun.
Roy O - When I retired after working continuously for nearly 60 years there was a great gap in my life. I felt tired, listless and was getting on my good wife's nerves. parkrun rescued me! I am now fitter, sleep better, have less anxiety, and generally like life. I’m getting to my ‘100’ within weeks. Thank you so much for all your great efforts - all the admin team, the Run Directors, the volunteers and my many fellow parkrunners.
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: Matthew Rollercoaster Briggs
Age: 29 going on 30
Home parkrun: Churchill parkrun
Occupation: Car Detailing Manager @ Warragul Toyota
Number of runs: 27 over 9 different parkrun locations
PB: 23:51 @ Traralgon parkrun for my first tourism run at that location, was great to have someone push me the entire way after I managed to get my fastest 1km record
Number of times volunteered: 27
Favourite volunteer role: It's hard to pick any one role for volunteer, in one hand I really love taking photo's for people (13 times as photographer) as you get to experience so much more when you can go over the photos and look at everyone's reactions to them, there's also a tremendous amount of support that people give one another when they encourage everyone they know and see in the photos.
Next volunteer role would have to be Pacer, being able to get someone across the line to a new PB is amazing and they're so thankful for it.
What do like about volunteering at parkrun: I like to volunteer as it gives me a chance to let others experience the feeling of running a parkrun like I did the first time I ran at Inverloch parkrun, the one photo the photographer took of me giving someone a high five on my first parkrun was amazing, it's what got me to get into volunteer photographer
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: I would have to say touring overseas at Clermont Waterfront parkrun, I went over the week after another Australian visited, they welcomed me just as we welcome others that tour throughout Australia. One thing in particular is someone saying "we had an Australian beat all of us last week, are you going to do this as well" I had to have a laugh cos I'm not the fastest runner (specially not lately) and it was at the time I always start a run with my legs taking off way a head of the pack until I couldn't go any longer, as they all caught up to me they said I set off a cracking pace for our faster runners. Towards the end of the 5km's I had heaps of support saying "CMON AUSTRALIA!!" and I picked up the pace to the finish with cheering from everyone to be had.
One thing I love about parkrun is: I love the overall positive atmosphere that comes from it, after being in some dark places throughout my life it's great to have something bright and colourful to look forward to every weekend and being able to spend time with friends while doing it is even better Made so many friends in parkrun and it's only going to become a bigger part of my life than anything I've ever done.
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 laser engraved silicone wristband 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
Children under the age of eleven must be accompanied at all times by a parent, guardian or other designated adult of the parent's choice. It must also be ensured that children place themselves appropriately at the start so as to prevent a situation where they are being repeatedly overtaken. This is to ensure the safety of your child.
Our Sponsors
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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