weekly newsletter 23 April 2012

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Welcome to this week's newsletter Tim
This weekend the team from parkrun Australia HQ are flying to Canberra for the launch of Ginninderra parkrun. I haven’t been to Canberra since I was 10 years old so am really looking forward to exploring the nation’s capital, first as a parkrunner on Saturday morning and as a tourist for the remainder of the weekend. Special mention must go to Event Director Russ Jefferys who has succeeded in getting the event written up in the newspaper pre-launch, a feat not achieved by any of our other events to date! See the article in the Canberra Times.

Ginninderra

Speaking of event launches, the New Zealand parkrun website (www.parkrun.co.nz) is now open for registrations and the first event starts in Lower Hutt (near Wellington) on 5 May. Please tell your New Zealand based friends and family and of course please 'like' the New Zealand parkrun facebook page.
Tim from parkrun Australia

parkrunner of the Week
parkrunner of the week
Name:   Kym Wilkinson
Age:   33
Home parkrun:   New Farm parkrun
Occupation:   Civil Engineer and Mumbr /> Number of times run:   14
Number of times volunteered:   1
What do you do at parkruns:   Waddle! I tend to encourage those at the end of the pack and I seem to also be used as the interval runner's "its time to go again as she's about to pass us" marker. On the volunteer front so far I've only done the scanning side of things and helped inform the new runners about how the whole system works.
How has parkrun changed your running:   I have never run with others on a regular basis until starting parkrun on New Year’s Eve and it sort of becomes a commitment to show up for everyone else even if you don't really feel like it. The group dynamic draws you in and for me it gives it a kind of race type feel without all of the pushing and shoving at the beginning. What do you like most about parkrun: Other than having an easily assessable record of how my 5k’s are going I love the atmosphere that parkrun has. Everyone is so supportive. I love seeing everyone improve. Lately a lot of peoples’ goals of going faster than the pregnant woman have been reached as my times have been steadily increasing. I think its fantastic that there is a range of runners taking part and there isn't an elitist attitude present.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment:   I had a little giggle to myself last week when one of our volunteers mentioned that he was quite relieved each time that I finished but is now more comfortable as he’s discovered that one of our fellow runners is a midwife. There’s also a standing joke about my little stowaway being the fastest runner in her age group. There's now a standing order to come searching for me at the hour mark - just don't tell anyone that I think I'll be getting there sooner rather than later!
Any suggestions for how we can improve parkrun:   The only thing that could possibly work in summer is an earlier start time (closer to 6am) to try and combat the heat. However, I do understand that that makes for a very early start for our volunteers and that some people are travelling a fair distance to attend at the present moment.

Reminders

Barcode reminder

barcode
Barcodes are used at all our events to record your result. No barcode, No result!

All questions answered

Do you have a question about parkrun? How do I get my barcode? All your questions are answered here.

Children at parkrun

All children under 11 must be supervised 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
The parkrun show

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.

Our Sponsors
adidas investing in parkrun

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 adidas.com

 

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Weekly newsletter 16 April 2012

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Welcome to this week's newsletter Tim
I have been on holiday in Vietnam for the last two weeks and whilst away Main Beach parkrun had its first birthday!

Main Beach Birthday

Congratulations to Brendan Murray and his team who celebrated in style with Easter eggs galore and a a record attendance of 196.

Our parkrunner of the week is actually our superstar Event Director from Albert parkrun in Melbourne, Carol Cunningham. Carol is an absolute pocket rocket with a passion for running and, more importantly, helping people. Carol has been doing an awesome job at Albert Park despite having to contend with Melbourne's notorious weather and a certain Formula 1 Grand Prix. Keep up the great work Carol!
Happy Running!

Tim from parkrun Australia

Winners

 

Steve Gamble

Congratulations to Steve Gamble (43 votes), George Mihalakellis (35 votes) and Robert Del Ponte (6 votes) who all win a new pair of adidas running shoes as part of our 'Travelling Athlete' competition. Please email tim@parkrun.com to claim your prize.

 

Message from adidas

Inspired by the world’s passion to go all in and run, we’re excited to launch our latest ad ‘We All Run’. We all have different reasons to run. Maybe you’re running to get into shape, to break records, to get faster, or for the good old fashioned fun of it? Whatever the reason, wherever you are, we invite you to join the people around you to go all in; go further and enjoy every stride.
 

adidas_group_shot

Watch David Beckham (Football - LA Galaxy & England), Katy Perry (Pop singer), Leo Messi (Football - Barcelona & Argentina) and Derrick Rose (Basketball - Chicago Bulls) go all in on their run.

 

Event Director of the Week
Carol Cunningham
Name:   Carol Cunningham aka Half Pint Harrier
Club:   Crosbie Crew
Age:   Am in the 30-34 age category at parkrun. Take your pick.
Home parkrun:   Albert parkrun, Melbourne
Occupation:   Personal Trainer
Number of times volunteered:   15
When did you first find out about parkrun:   On a visit home to the UK. I found out that something exciting was finally happening in my home town of Hull (has been voted the worst city in the UK) so of course I had to check it out. I registered, rocked up, great organisation, v friendly people, ran and won the female race! Then the next week my mum came along and did her first parkrun. If parkrun can get my mum to sign up for a run then it must be a good thing....after that I was hooked and decided this had to come back with me to Australia.....
How did you become an Event Director:   I was headhunted of course, silly question! .....haha only joking. I wanted to set up parkrun in Melbourne so made some enquiries and got talking to the two Tims who gave me the okay to go ahead and start one up.
How has parkrun changed your Saturday mornings:   I have forgotten the meaning of Saturday morning 'sleep in' and no partying on a Friday night. It's all worth it though. (Note from Tim, Carol has still been known to have a few on a Friday night and once even forgot the barcodes the next day. Lucky she lives close to Albert Park!!!)
What do you like most about parkrun:   It's simplicity and accessibility - it really is for everyone.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment:   Getting everyone at parkrun to sing Happy Birthday to a young lad who runs regularly at Albert parkrun. Unfortunately the date in the system was a month out!! The poor lad looked so confused!!! Sorry Corey, we will sing to you again this month ;-)

Reminders

Barcode reminder

barcode
Barcodes are used at all our events to record your result. No barcode, No result!

All questions answered

Do you have a question about parkrun? How do I get my barcode? All your questions are answered here.

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 supervised 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
The parkrun show

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.

Our Sponsors
adidas investing in parkrun

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 adidas.com

 

Posted in Uncategorized
 

Weekly newsletter 9 April 2012

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Welcome to this week's newsletter Tim
One of the key factors we consider when designing a new parkrun course is whether or not the people at the back may get lost if they lose sight of runners in front of them. This is a really important issue as these are people who are most probably new to parkrun and new to running, so we don't want them to have a bad experience so early on in their journey. An innovative solution that the team at Main Beach parkrun have come up with is to provide a 'Back Marker', a volunteer who walks with the last person so they make it across the finish line in one piece. Hence, this week's nomination for parkrunner of the week is Brian Peters, a man who selflessly sacrifices his own opportunity to join in at parkrun for the benefit of those who need us most. Well done Brian.
Happy Running!

Tim from parkrun Australia


Feedback from the field
Michael Rensford - parkrun is such a great thing for the community, and health and fitness. More power to you Tim and Paul.
Silpa Parmar - The weekly newsletter is a great idea! As much as I like the global parkrun newsletter, it really is much too long to read!!! Good work :-)

parkrunner of the week
parkrunner of the week
Name:   Brian Peters.
Club:   Southport Runners and Walkers.
Age:   54.
Home parkrun:   Main Beach parkrun.
Occupation:   Local Government Business Improvement (Engineering)
Number of Runs:   43.
Number of times volunteered:   13.
What do you do at parkruns:   I've done the usual duties like timing (then panicking in case I've deleted everything instead of saved it - those who've done timing will know the feeling), but these days I tend to do my run early (thank-you to the team for manually entering my times), then head off with the official event where I bring up the rear with the last runner home to make sure everyone is accounted for. Two interesting points: 1 I enjoy a good chat with the last runner, & 2 I'm yet to strike the same last runner twice (I'm beginning to wonder if 2 is somehow related to 1).
How has parkrun changed your running:   It gets me out & running more regularly? For some reason I find it easier to get up & go running if I'm going to do it with a group. Now that I'm going around twice each morning means I'm getting twice the benefit as well.
What do you like about parkrun:   You've got to love a gathering of like-minded people, but I also love the record keeping. The fact that the event is measured, timed, recorded & free makes it unbeatable for me. The Main Beach course isn't too shabby either. Who wouldn't like a 7:00am run along the Pacific Ocean waterfront on Australia's Gold Coast, with a quick dip in the ocean after the run thrown in for good measure?
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment:   Not realising that parkrun was cancelled due to a terrific thunder storm. Seven others also braved the elements, for what turned out to be a rain free run. Just my luck to run a PB by minutes on the day when there was no official time-keeping. Why won't they believe me? Real highlights for me are helping strugglers achieve PBs (it's the chatting that does it), coming into the finish with so many fellow parkrunners cheering them home, and seeing their elation.

Reminders

Barcode reminder

barcode
Barcodes are used at all our events to record your result. No barcode, No result!

All questions answered

Do you have a question about parkrun? How do I get my barcode? All your questions are answered here.

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 supervised 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
The parkrun show

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.

Our Sponsors
adidas investing in parkrun

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 adidas.com

 

Posted in Uncategorized
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