In this week’s newsletter we review our risk management policy, receive an inspirational story from a Sangdate parkrunner and try to stay dry at the Twilight Running Festival!

As per usual, the stats are in for last Saturday, March 23:

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.

Every now and then Mother Nature likes to remind us she is boss and this certainly happened to a number of parkrunners (albeit not actually at parkrun) last weekend. Firstly on Sunday morning at Ironman Melbourne the start was delayed and the swim leg was reduced to a single lap of the course due to heavy wind and swell. Then on Sunday evening the Twilight Running Festival in Brisbane was cancelled halfway through due to heavy rain, gale force winds, falling tress and lightening!

On my way home after the Twilight I had a long think about parkrun’s policy on risk management and cancellations and feel it is appropriate to discuss it here so you all know.

Before any parkrun event launches the Event Director must complete a thorough risk assessment. These are regularly reviewed should local circumstances change.

Once an event is up and running the risk management is up to the Run Director, the volunteer who takes responsibility for the event, on any given Saturday. They have overall responsibility for event safety, will make any pre-run announcements, will start the run, and oversee proceedings during the run and at the finish. Most importantly, the Run Director decides whether the event should be cancelled or postponed or that an adjustment to the course is needed (because of bad weather or other circumstance). Such decisions will be taken with guidance from the other event organisers, but the Run Director has the final say.

Occasionally, our events do need to be cancelled. There could be a variety of reasons for cancelling an event but the most common are due to reasons of safety. Should an Event Director need to cancel their event in advance they will put a notice on their event's news page and social media pages. If you haven’t already done so I urge you to ‘like’ your event’s Facebook page.

If the decision to cancel is made on the day of the run then the above will occur and, if it has been safe to travel, the Run Director will announce the cancellation at the run giving the reasons. We urge our Run Directors to be decisive about cancellation. Even if conditions improve or other reasons for the cancellation disappear, the cancellation will still hold.

So I hope the above has clarified where we stand on risk management and cancellations. To my knowledge we have only had 1 cancellation on the day due to bad weather so our strike rate is pretty good. But rest assured your safety, and that of our volunteers, is our number one priority at parkrun.

Happy (and safe) running!

Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)

Guts, sheer determination and plenty of support from Sandgate parkrun

It was around late October 2012 when my father (Gary Nisbet) told me that he had been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Gary at the time had ballooned to 130 kg and was told by his medical team that he had two options. The first was to continue the way he was going and go on to be insulin dependent and face a series of health obesity related issues or alternatively he could make drastic lifestyle changes and turn his life around.

I am pleased to say that Gary chose the latter and the medical team set him a 3 month deadline. In consultation with his diabetic dietician and other medical staff he immediately overhauled his diet and committed to a regular exercise regime which initially consisted of walking.

Six months earlier I had started getting back into running and after a number of running events was told by a friend about parkrun. I completed my first run at Kirra while I was on holidays with my wife and two young kids (Sienna & Mitchell).

When my friend first told me about parkrun I couldn’t believe that such a thing existed. After enjoying my first parkrun at Kirra I remember telling my wife Caroline what a shame there wasn’t one closer to home which is north side of Brisbane. Well as fate would have it, my wife Caroline went to school with Dean Gibson and a message suddenly appeared on her Facebook page advising that he and his wife Vanessa were about to launch Sandgate parkrun in the coming weeks.

Well I couldn’t believe our luck as Sandgate is literally just 10 minutes up the road from where we live. I remember counting down the weeks to the launch and changing my running schedule to get the most out of the Saturday run.

Getting back to Gary, I told him about parkrun and it seemed to spark his interest. He knew at that stage that he wasn’t any chance of running the 5km distance but decided that he would come but rather than register and run he would start 30 minutes before the start and walk the 5km distance making sure he stayed out of the way.

When Gary saw that he managed to walk the distance in under an hour he spoke with Dean and Vanessa (Event Directors) and they encouraged him to register and assured him that he would not hold them or the volunteers up.

Well you know what they say the rest is history! Since that time Gary has attended every single Sandgate parkrun and over that time has made many friends and increased his running distance, setting realistic weekly goals, and has achieved 13 personal bests.

Gary was recently rechecked by his medical team at the 3 month deadline and I am thrilled to advise that his blood sugar levels are down to 5.5 and his medical team, family and friends could not be happier with his progress.

At the time of writing Gary has lost approximately 25kg and recently ran the entire 5km distance (see photo of the two of us above) for the first time in a time of 32.35. Gary’s next goal is to go sub 30!

In closing, I would like to thank you for sharing this story and acknowledge just how much of a role that parkrun has played. Last but not least I must personally thank the Sandgate parkrun Event Directors (Dean & Vanessa) and Sandgate parkrunners (you know who you are) for being part of Dad’s journey and helping him turn his life around.

Words by David Nisbet

Twilight Running Festival

On Sunday afternoon Brisbane played host to the Twilight Running Festival and it was an eventful evening to say the least. Team parkrun had a massive contingent of 129 runners across 1km, 5km, 10km and half marathon events, easily earning us the largest team award in the event. If you have been following the news you will know that the event was hit by a massive thunderstorm mid way through the 10k and half marathon events. Thousands of people were caught out in the elements as we were battered with severe winds, torrential down pours, lightning strikes, power and lighting outages and many trees and branches crashing down around us. It certainly was a memorable experience.

The day started out as a hot and humid Brisbane day, with a great vibe surrounding the parkrun team area. The Body Leadership Team were providing physio support, massage, stretching and strapping for all parkrunners and it was great to have them in attendance. At around 5pm, the 10k and half marathon events got underway and it was hot and sticky to say the least. The stifling conditions made the first half of the race quite tough, but not long before 6pm the sky turned black, we were plunged into darkness and the weather unleashed. We have had a lot of wet weather parkruns in Brisbane of late and I must admit that I now really enjoy running in the rain. However, sideways torrential rain that stings the skin and ankle deep water is something I have never run in before and I must say I’m not a huge fan. On the upside it cooled things down very quickly. The organisers made the sensible decision to cancel the race and only a small handful of half marathoners made it around to the second lap. The results are in a little disarray due to the cancellation but from a preliminary glance, we had several members of our parkrun team place very well (Reece Anderson, Greg Webster, Melissa Watson, Tom James, Moray Skilling...I'm looking at you!) which may have also netted parkrun the fastest aggregated 10km Team award as well! (TBC)

There was a tragic end to the race with a man in a critical condition in hospital after being struck by a falling branch. Our thoughts and prayers go out to this man, his family and anyone else who was injured during the race. Our thoughts are also with the team at Intraining who have been the target of the anger and criticism of a small minority of people who participated on Sunday. I have no doubt that there will be a lot to be learned from this particular event which will only serve to make future events much better and safer for all involved.

Finally, spare a thought for all the volunteers who were also out on the course on the day. They did a wonderful job considering the extremely testing circumstances and as a proud member of our volunteer based organisation, parkrun, I salute them and all their efforts on race day. It is also worth mentioning the parkrun team’s support crew who hung on white knuckled to our tents and stopped them from flying off into the distance during the brunt of the storm.

Gareth from South Bank parkrun

Last chance to win a BOB Ironman running pram

Our friends at Britax have given us an awesome BOB Ironman running pram to giveaway to one lucky parkrunner, valued at $599. All you have to do is tell us in 150 words or less why you would like to win a BOB Ironman running pram. Please include a photo and feel free to add some creativity to your entry. We will select the best entry each week over the remaining two weeks and publish it right here in the newsletter. Other selected entries will shortlisted and uploaded to Facebook. After the fourth week we will be conducting a Facebook poll that will enable you, the Australian parkrunning public, to choose the overall winner.

The best entry from last week came from Lynsey Bale who sent in the below photo…

Take a look at the list of entries from the last two weeks that are now shortlisted for the final Facebook poll.

Upcoming Event Launches, Cancellations & News

Our third launch for the year is coming up this Saturday, March 30, at Riverway parkrun in Townsville. Other confirmed events include April 13 for Fingal Bay in Port Stephens, April 20 for Augustine Heights in Ipswich, April 27 for Rockingham near Perth and May 11 for Curl Curl parkrun in Sydney.

Wynnum parkrun has a ‘mega-pacer parkrun next week’ this Saturday, March 30. They will have 7 pacers running 20, 22.5, 25, 27.5, 30, 32.5 and 35 minute 5kms.

Boost your run!

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Enter Online

feedback from the field

Volunteer Profile

Name:  Sally-Anne Carey

Age:  38

Home parkrun:  South Bank

Occupation:  Career and Small Business Coach

Number of runs:  7

Number of times volunteered:  1

What do you do at parkruns:  Run, with an improved time most weeks, and meet new people.

How has parkrun changed your running:  I no longer have a big Friday night on the pop! I am focused on a 5km run every week, I try and improve an area each time be it the bridge climb, speed on the longer stretches, breathing!

What do you like about parkrun:  Camaraderie, the course and also getting fitter and faster each time.

Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment:  Volunteering (with poncho in the rain) and watching the front of the pack. I am always somewhere near the back of the pack so it was encouraging to see these athletes in super quick time!

In this week’s newsletter we welcome Bruce Fordyce to Brisbane, review our second week of entries in our BOB pram comp and hear about the Last parkrunner Standing.

As per usual, the stats are in for last Saturday, March 16:

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.

"I am slow, I am often last but when I finish my parkruns I get the biggest cheers and I feel like a champion."

Wow. This was just one of the notable quotes from parkrunner Kathy Rae on page 47 of the March 15 Penrith Western Weekender online edition. This is a powerful statement and pretty much sums up what parkrun is all about. I have no doubt this is one of the key reasons why the number of participants at parkrun Australia events has grown by a staggering 320.05% over the past year (thanks to Professor Alan for the stat).

On Saturday I attended South Bank parkrun with my wife Nicci and baby son Jack. It was the first time we had been able to use our new BOB Ironman running pram which was a resounding success as you will read in Nicci’s review below. Whilst Nicci was running with Jack in the BOB, I knocked out my 5km alongside parkrun South Africa Country Manager Bruce Fordyce who is currently in Australia doing the rounds of our parkrun events by day and giving talks on the Comrades Marathon by night. It was an honour to run alongside Bruce and the old dog still managed to finish ahead of me by all of one second, although from the photo below you would think I had him covered

We backed this up on Sunday with a freedom run at Main Beach parkrun followed by breakfast with parkrun Australia Patron and true blue running legend Ron Clarke. There were a lot of world records sitting around the table on Sunday morning… and none of them were mine! Bruce and his wife Gill will be making the last stop of their Australian tour this Saturday at Claisebrook Cove parkrun where I have no doubt Perth’s large South African expat community will welcome them with open arms.

Lastly, we had a wonderful good news story came out of Ginninderra parkrun on Saturday where Jacob Clifton, in his 7th parkrun and on track for a new PB, stopped to help fellow parkrunner Kurt Lindner who fell on the course after rolling his ankle. This was a fine example of parkrun camaraderie and a great reminder that your time should play second fiddle to fun, enjoyment and most of all safety when you join us on a Saturday morning. Well done Jacob!

Happy Running!

Tim from parkrun Australia (get in touch)

Running with Jack and BOB

When Tim told me the good news that Britax had offered to provide us with a new BOB Ironman running pram to review I was excited on so many levels. Firstly, I had just bought a new pair of bright yellow adidas running shoes so the bright yellow pram would coordinate perfectly, and every woman knows that yellow is fast. Secondly, our existing pram, a $150 eBay special, has had better days. Tim had already used it at several parkruns and from all reports it simply didn’t cut the mustard. And lastly, after giving birth to our son Jack 7 months ago, I am now finally feeling ready to get back into running. Before having Jack I had completed 9 parkruns with a PB of 26:10 as well as a couple of half marathons.

We made our way up to South Bank parkrun on Saturday morning with the BOB folded neatly in the boot of the car and when we got to the run itself I was pleased to see several other pram runners were in attendance. My plan was to start at the back and take it easy as I didn’t know how my fitness would be after so long on the sidelines. As we started the run the first thing I noticed was just how smooth it was running with the BOB as opposed to pushing our normal pram. I guess it is the larger wheels and suspension that provide that extra comfort factor for both pusher and pushee. As the run progressed I could tell that Jack was enjoying himself as he made loud cheering noises and kicked his legs, so much so that a passerby said that he looked like he was running too. By about the 3km mark however I really started to feel the pinch and would loved to have jumped in the BOB with Jack.

Of course this was not to be so the three of us (Jack, BOB and I) had to grind out the last two kilometers, including South Bank’s infamous ramp, in far from PB pace. We crossed the line in 36:11 which got us 230th out of 264 runners however it is safe to say this would have been significantly slower had we not had the benefit of the BOB.

I really do hope to get back to running PBs at parkrun sometime soon and, as any parent will tell you, it will be so much more rewarding if I can do it with my little boy riding comfortably in front of me. Thanks to Britax and parkrun for making this possible, and watch out for a bolt of lightning come to a parkrun near you soon!

Nicci Oberg

Win a BOB Ironman running pram

Our friends at Britax have given us an awesome BOB Ironman running pram to giveaway to one lucky parkrunner, valued at $599. All you have to do is tell us in 150 words or less why you would like to win a BOB Ironman running pram. Please include a photo and feel free to add some creativity to your entry. We will select the best entry each week over the remaining two weeks and publish it right here in the newsletter. Other selected entries will shortlisted and uploaded to Facebook. After the fourth week we will be conducting a Facebook poll that will enable you, the Australian parkrunning public, to choose the overall winner.

The best entry from last week came from Adriana Guthrie who wrote –

“I’m Scarlett, I’m two, and I love to run.
parkrun with Mummy is oh so much fun!
Wind in my hair as we tear round the track,
Daddy’s voice cheering, the sun on my back.
But now our old pram is falling to bits,
Flat tyre; ripped cover; it¹s really the pits!
It has served us well, and racked up some ks.
But our ten buck pram has seen better days.
My little sis will arrive in July,
And as Mummy runs, she’ll need to stay dry.
A BOB Ironman for her is the go;
Padded, comfy and a pretty yellow!
I hope we can win, cos great it would be,
To see Mummy set ‘pram pushers PB’!”

Take a look at the list of entries from the last two weeks that are now shortlisted for the final Facebook poll.

Last parkrunner Standing

On Saturday at Newy parkrun we trialed a concept suggested by Tim Oberg called "Last parkrunner Standing" which worked really well. We started to promote it on Thursday night with a Facebook posting and it generated a lot of ‘likes’ and comments. Then on Saturday morning it was the last thing we mentioned in our briefing. We had some volunteers encouraging the first finishers to start gathering at the finish line and it quickly took on a life of its own as the guard of honour grew - people readily clapped and cheered each finisher. There were special cheers for some of the more well known local identities, the 25 and 30 min pace groups, kids etc. A really nice encouraging atmosphere prevailed. Obviously not everyone could stay for the whole time but we encouraged people to at least jump in for a few minutes.

After about 20 minutes or so the line did not seem to get any longer as recent finishers were joining the line at about the same rate some early finishers were leaving. We got very positive feedback from the faces of those as they finished, verbally on the day and then later on Facebook. This concept really appealed to us and people responded enthusiastically and quickly. We did make one change to the original concept of "Last Man Standing"… as we subscribe to Geneva Gender Equality Protocols we thought this term was a bit genderist .... plus we wouldn't have known what to do if the last parkrunner standing was a female!

Andrew from Newy parkrun

Note from Tim – Of the 317 who ran at Newy on Saturday there were a massive 118 PBs… Coincidence?

Upcoming Event Launches

Our third launch for the year is coming up on March 30 at Riverway parkrun in Townsville. Other confirmed events include April 13 for Fingal Bay in Port Stephens, April 20 for Augustine Heights in Ipswich, April 27 for Rockingham near Perth and May 11 for Curl Curl parkrun in Sydney.

All in for running

adidas has furthered their commitment to running by partnering with a series of other running events in 2013. The first on the calendar for the year is the Australian Running Festival in Canberra on 13-14th April and adidas wants to share the love with parkrun, by giving 5 Canberra based parkrunners the opportunity to give the adidas 10km race a go.

Throughout March, adidas will be looking for the most improved parkrunners in Canberra! A female and male from both Tuggeranong and Ginninderra will win a place in the adidas 10km at the Australian Running Festival on Saturday April 13.

Stay in touch with your Event Directors to see if you’ve been chosen, and you could give your weekly parkrun a boost by taking it to the next level in the adidas 10km.

Stay tuned for details on how you could win entries into other running events in Australia later this year including the City2Surf in Sydney!

feedback from the field

Volunteer Profile

Name:  Choppy Middleton

Club:  No Club, I just run with my mates

Age:  42

Home parkrun:  Coomera

Occupation:  Project Manager and Mature Age Semi-Pro Athlete.

Number of runs:  about 2019, including 7 first place finishes

PB:  18:58

Number of times volunteered:  6

Favourite volunteer role:  The Signs, arrive early and get a feel for the conditions before the run and try not hit myself on the hand with that hammer again… Wow that hurts!!!

What do you like about volunteering at parkrun:  Giving something back and watching the improvement of other runners that turn up each week and have a go. My daughters also love volunteering; they get a real kick out of being a part of it.

Most memorable or funniest parkrun moment:  My first time as a pace runner, I was the sub 20min pacer and put so much mental pressure on myself that I didn’t think I would go under 20mins, but it went really well and I encouraged 1 runner to go under 20mins for the first time, now that he has broken through the barrier Shane now runs sub 20 every week… Oh, and hitting myself with that hammer was funny… Not!!!

How can we improve volunteering at parkrun:  Volunteering works well now, parkrun has put together a great formula that is hard to improve on. Well done parkrun and their team of Event Directors.