Perfect autumn weather set the scene for an exciting third Northparkes Rotary Fun Run with a new 5km record and a huge increase in the kids’ 2km race.
About 300 runners competed over 10km, 5km and 2km on a mostly flat and quite fast course along Nash street. The kids’ event proved the most popular with almost 140 participants, with many parents running along for encouragement and there was no stopping Parkes Olympian, Scott Westcott in his preparation for the marathon event at the Olympic Games as he improved the 5km record by almost a minute. His time was 15:10.50. After his record 5km run, Scott also ran with the kids to give them a target to chase down.
“I am really happy with the number of kids who took part,” said Scott, who is also the event organiser. “The schools have really come aboard this year.” At least three of the primary schools in Parkes had 30 or more runners competing.
Scott said he hoped to continue to grow the event to get even more kids to participate.
The first girl to cross the 2km finish line was Emilee Curran (8:22) and the first boy was William Tanswell (8:28). The 5km and 10km events had similar entries as previous events with 68 doing the 10km and 92 in the 5km run. The overall winner of the men’s 10km race was Thomas Hanrahan (40:24) and the women’s winner was Jenny Doak (42:42.29). The women’s 5km winner was Jane Fardell (18:32.88).