FREE EVENT… Sports people in Parkes are eager for the launch of parkrun in our town and to make the weekly 5km event part of their fitness routine. Getting ready this week were cricket players (L-R) Brent Tucker, Luke Nash, Anthony Heraghty, Ben Coultas, Zac Bayliss and Jock Yelland.
The long wait is over and excitement is building for the launch of parkrun in two weeks’ time on 6th February.
Parkes will be joining the worldwide phenomena of 409 events in Australia and over 1,400 events in 22 countries with the first official running of the Northparkes Oval parkrun.
If you’ve never heard of parkrun, it is a free, weekly, community event on a 5km set course every Saturday morning at 8am with no time limit and no one finishes last. It includes all ages, all demographics, all levels of fitness and everyone is welcome to walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
Three local volunteer organisers have been working on getting a parkrun for our town for over two years. In May last year they achieved their final goal with a grant, but then COVID restrictions meant the wait was extended by another eight months. The 5km route for Parkes will start at Boulder Hill Park on the corner of Wentworth Street and Alexandra Street and follow the walkway around the ovals. If you would like your time recorded it is vital to register on the parkrun website (www.parkrun.com.au), print out your personal barcode and bring it to the event. The barcode will be valid to take part in any parkrun anywhere in the world.
The parkrun event is run by volunteers, and any individuals, clubs and organisations are invited to help out. The Northparkes Oval parkrun Facebook page will go live just before 6th February and volunteers can register their interest on the page.