Welcome to this week's newsletter
|
In this week’s newsletter we celebrate Albert Melbourne parkrun’s 1st birthday, hail a new Australian parkrun record and prepare for some ‘Summer Fun’ at main Beach.
|
As per usual, the stats are in for last Saturday, November 17:
Albert Melbourne - 170 runners | 51 first timers | 36 PBs;
Balyang Sanctuary - 51 runners | 10 first timers | 12 PBs;
Claisebrook Cove - 84 runners | 17 first timers | 12 PBs;
Coomera - 51 runners | 10 first timers | 9 PBs;
Ginninderra - 81 runners | 20 first timers | 21 PBs;
Kawana - 44 runners | 15 first timers | 8 PBs;
Kingscliff - 24 runners | 11 first timers | 6 PBs;
Kirra - 42 runners | 7 first timers | 8 PBs;
Launceston - 82 runners | 37 first timers | 35 PBs;
Main Beach - 122 runners | 8 first timers | 14 PBs;
New Farm - 201 runners | 35 first timers | 52 PBs;
Newy - 214 runners | 34 first timers | 66 PBs;
North Lakes - 53 runners | 18 first timers | 14 PBs;
South Bank - 124 runners | 71 first timers | 20 PBs;
St Peters - 119 runners | 14 first timers | 37 PBs;
Wynnum - 101 runners | 28 first timers | 21 PBs.
Thanks to our amazing Event Directors, Run Directors, volunteers and sponsors for your continued support!
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.
Saturday was the 1st birthday of Albert Melbourne parkrun and what a grand occasion it was indeed. Event Director Carol Cunningham and her loyal crew of volunteers pulled out all the stops as you can read in her report below. We had been hoping that Olympian Craig Mottram was going to have a crack at setting a new Australian parkrun record time however he unfortunately hurt his ankle in training last week. I’m pleased to say however that the record was indeed broken but at Ginninderra parkrun by another Olympian, Marty Dent, who ran a sensational time of 14:42. AMAZING!
As many of you know last Saturday was also the inaugural International Day of Running Naked in which we urged you to leave your iPod, GPS and watch at home and try the ‘naked’ experience. Unfortunately however it seems one of you may have taken this all a bit too literally as I received the below email from one of our Event Directors on Sunday afternoon:
“Hi Tim. Unfortunately one of the male runners at parkrun today was running in very short shorts with no underwear and as a result his male anatomy was hanging out for all to see as he came into the finish line. The worst part was the parkrun photographer, who was oblivious to it took a photo which showed it all hanging out which was then posted on Facebook this morning. I was sent a text message from one of the volunteers informing me of the photo late this afternoon so I immediately removed the photos from the Facebook page. I have no idea who he was because he was a first time runner and I have no idea how many people saw the photo or him running like that today. I think it was unintentional and he finished near the top so not too many people were back yet.”
Just when I thought I had heard it all…
This Saturday sees the launch of yet another parkrun event in Queensland, this time in Sandgate, a coastal suburb located 16 km north of the Brisbane CBD. I am particularly excited about this launch as it is only 10 minutes drive from where I grew up and where my parents still live, thus I view it as my ‘spiritual home event’, even though technically Kirra parkrun is my actual home event. Click here for a look at the Sandgate course as seen through the eyes of Event Directors Vanessa & Dean Gibson and their gorgeous kids.
The following Saturday will be our final launch for the year, this time in Adelaide, with Torrens parkrun getting underway. That will make it 15 events for 2012, and I’m expecting 2013 to be at least twice as BIG! Did I just say that?
Happy Running!
Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)
|
Happy 1st birthday to Albert Melbourne parkrun!
|
Happy 1st Birthday Albert Melbourne parkrun and congratulations to everyone! You embraced the spirit of parkrun, turning out in numbers to shatter the Albert Melbourne parkrun attendance record by an incredible 63 (59% increase), a perfect illustration of the parkrun phenomenon in Australia. Woohoo!!!
Many made a huge effort to appear as a superhero or villain (Cruella de Ville, Dracula, Batman & Robin, Wonder Woman, Zoro, Lara Croft, The Hulk, Cat Woman, Flash, Maxwell Smart, Superman, Spiderman, Cakeman?! … and a brief appearance by Yoda mid-run!). It was a very impressive sight and it certainly generated some keen interest and bemused looks from other people out on the course.
Welcome to the 51 newbies – we hope you enjoyed your first parkrun experience and will be back again next week. Within our first timers we had 5 parkrun tourists who joined our party from various parts of the world: Gary Saunders from Ginninderra here in Australia, Alastair Willis from Lower Hutt (NZ), Michael Johnson from Heaton parkrun (UK), Graham Maitland from Medina (Isle of Wight, UK) and David Heppell from Glasgow (Scotland, UK). We also had a special appearance by Richard Branson… yep no joke, check result #60… not sure how he snuck it but we are guessing Virgin Active had something to do with it!
It wouldn’t be a birthday celebration without some special entertainment and we thank the following for providing those extra touches on our special day. To our main sponsor adidas who provided wear testing, the coffee cart, photographer and prizes. Virgin Active Health Club who handed out bananas, took us through the warm up and gave out prizes. Dom Cooley for providing comedy entertainment throughout the day… And I am sure you will all agree that the highlight of the day was welcoming the Superhero of Australian running and adidas ambassador to join our party, Mr Craig Mottram. Thank you!
On top of this we had a loyal band of volunteers who did a super job. Please put your hands together for the following: Greg, Aimee, Paul, Marie, Amy, Ruby, Carleen, Jules, Phil, Vin, Chris, Julia Nance (photos) and Jane (who created the wonderful birthday cake). And to our awesome pacers: Justin, Rosa, George, Dean, Kathryn, Andrew and Julie. You guys all rock.
Click here to read the full report.
Carol from Albert Melbourne parkrun
|
Facebook changes
|
Facebook has made a few changes lately - and if you have been missing some of our updates then there is a way to fix it - so you never miss any of the news/offers/motivation we share. Just go to the top of our page to the 'Liked' button, hover your cursor over that until you see the drop down menu, then make sure 'Get Notifications' and 'Show In Newsfeed' are ticked and you won't miss out.
|
Summer Fun @ Main Beach parkrun
|
Main Beach parkrun is holding a ‘Summer Fun’ day on December 1st to raise funds for the Black Dog Institute and awareness of depression/bipolar disorder. As such, we would like to know how parkrun has helped improve your lifestyle and assisted in ‘exercising your mood’?
|
International Volunteer Day
|
International Volunteer Day was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1985 and is now celebrated worldwide on December 5 with thousands of volunteers involved in initiatives including clean-up campaigns, conferences, exhibitions, morning teas and other activities that highlight the role of volunteers in their communities. As we all know parkrun relies of the generosity of volunteers who make our events happen week in week out so we would like to recognise our volunteers on the Saturday nearest to International Volunteer Day – December 8. All we ask is that you do something small to show your local Event Director and volunteers that you appreciate them; I suggest a handshake or hug, but I’m sure chocolates and flowers will not be turned away.
|
Longest parkrun…………
|
The longest parkrun idea was started by some lunatics in the UK in the summer of 2010. The idea is simple – parkrunners meet on the Sunday closest to the longest day of the year, to visit 7 different parkruns. But while the potential total distance is quite large (35km), this isn't a heavy duty running event. It is first and foremost a social day - there's no official timing, runners can turn up at as many (or as few) of the runs as they want, and do as much of the courses as they want.
Australia’s inaugural ‘Longest parkrun’ will take place at 5am on Sunday 16th December with the route taking in North Lakes – Sandgate – New Farm – South Bank – Wynnum – Coomera – Main Beach. Click here for further information or to register your interest in attending.
|
Feedback from the field
|
Ellie Meyer - Once again I started my weekend with a parkrun along the beautiful Wynnum esplanade. Although it was pretty soggy this morning it is still my favourite thing to do on a Saturday morning. The Wynnum launch was my 1st ever parkrun, just after I'd graduated from a 'couch to 5km' training app. I was nervous and not sure if I was 'serious enough' to fit in but I soon realised that there is a lovely welcoming atmosphere at parkrun and that parkrunners come with such a wide range of abilities and motivations that the only thing anyone needs is a positive attitude and a barcode!
Since then I've improved my time & more importantly my confidence and met some lovely people. I've learned a lot from the friends I've made & even tackled a 10km race, all thanks to Wynnum parkrun
|
|
Kathy Rae - I enjoyed being at Albert Melbourne parkrun on Saturday while I was down from Sydney to participate in my 2nd City to Sea. It was nice to meet some of you and to have coffee after. It was an enjoyable run and I was really pleased with my 2nd best parkrun time of 7 parkruns on a course new to me and when I wasn’t wearing a watch.
|
|
Kent Ormandy - Congrats Wynnum parkrun on your highest ever attendance of 101 people. Long may it continue to grow!!!
|
|
Jane Peel - Thanks for a great Wynnum parkrunrun. I might leave my little dog behind next time.
|
|
Shaun Thompson - Argh 20:01, close to my guess but I really wanted to crack 20min!
|
|
Heather Louise Johnstone – I had my first Wynnum parkrun yesterday. I enjoyed myself, thanks for being friendly and relaxed
|
|
Tracey Jackson - Was a weird experience running ‘nude’, but also relaxing not worrying about the time, just enjoying the experience
|
|
Dutch & Alex Holland - Thanks to the organisers, volunteers and the photographers for a great Calisebrook Cove parkrun this morning.
|
|
Tony Smith - Thanks again everyone for a top Calisebrook Cove 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.
|
parkrunner of the week
|
|
Name: Anna Lagozzino
Age: 33
Home parkrun: Balyang Sanctuary
Occupation: Bean Counter (aka CFO)
Number of runs: 7
Number of times volunteered: 1
What do you do at parkruns: I run my lil heart out and tweet all about it.
How has parkrun changed your running: I’m only new to running and in just a short time it’s totally fostered a passion and healthy addiction that I wasn’t expecting. With great tips and support from other Balyang Sanctuary parkrunners, I’ve already achieved a number of personal goals, including a PB under 30mins which was huge for me! I’ve since had the confidence to complete my first10K and have my sights set on a half marathon next year.
What do you like about parkrun: I love the friendly and encouraging atmosphere for all ages and fitness levels, which to my surprise is not just limited to our awesome parkrun at Balyang Sanctuary, but seems to be the parkrun culture around the world, as I’ve found speaking with other parkrunners on Twitter.
Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment: Most memorable would have to be when I got to volunteer as the photographer. I hung out with 11 year old Daniel who was also volunteering but as a marshal, and together we cheered on the parkrunners as they came by – it was so much fun.
How can we improve parkrun: It’s pretty awesome as it is, but I think being able to buy merchandise would be pretty cool (t-shirts, towels, drink bottles etc) and would also promote parkrun at the same time!
|
|
|
Reminders
|
Barcode reminder

Barcodes are used at all our events to record your result. Please collect and print your barcode here. No 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 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
|
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
|
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
|
|
|