It must be spring because everyone is beginning to reappear at parkrun.
And no wonder.
Last Saturday was a beautiful morning, with clear fresh air, hints of budburst and just a little more warmth in the sun. After all that rain, the path was remarkably hard, beaten down by all those feet that walk the Botanical Gardens during the week. Parkrunners were welcomed by the sound of rushing water as Barkers Creek cascaded beside the path, and then surprised by the first of spring’s pansies so beautifully planted by the fountain.
A fabulous seventy-three people seemed to appear from no-where at 7.55am ready to go at 8am. At least five first ever timers joined as many visitors who swelled the ranks of super regulars, prams, kids and dogs, and all together they happily ran, walked, or jogged the 5k.
We welcomed Kerryne and Jeff Rogers, regular Bot Garden walkers who decided it was time to join parkrun.
Ursula van Dyke registered for her first run this week and was then the first woman over the line.
Jay and Samantha McGowan, with 393 parkruns between then, ran Castlemaine on their way home to Gippsland, having wintered in Queensland and joined parkruns at Cairns, Atherton as well as Cloncurry (Google it!).
Jay was also the first man over the line to celebrate his return to Victoria.
It was personal best weather. Nine people finished in their fastest ever time including Ben Priest, Mariam Meite, Tobias Marshall, Nicola Clarke, Emma Hamilton, Rebecca Morton, Dale Hamilton, Jenny Hughes and Leonie Chilvers.
Leonie has managed to run four PBs over five months of 2022, coming down from 41-35 minutes in that time.
Parkrun is about staying fit and well, putting in an effort and enjoying yourself with others. Fast or slow doesn’t matter. There is no cut off time. Consistency is what matters.
Most people do parkrun because it is regular. Some do it and then participate in other events.
This week for example, Chris Timewell volunteered as tailwalker, then on Sunday he ran the Burnley half marathon. Michael Constable is getting ready for a 100-k trail run at Anglesea and Around the Bay in a Day.
Others have their eyes on the Run the Main, 5k, 10k or 21k on September 23, or the Melbourne Marathon October 2. There is always something on in the running world.
Thank you to volunteers this week; Dianne Cox, Donna Faircloth, Michael Farr, Jane Harding, Gabrielle Smith, Glen Taylor and Chris Timewell.
Come along. Pick your fitness goal and let parkrun be one part of that. Castlemaine Parkrun is a weekly, free, timed event held in the Botanical Gardens commencing 8am.
It is a participation event for fitness and fun. You can come to walk, run, jog or volunteer. See
https://www.parkrun.com.au/castlemaine/ to register and get your barcode.
– Report from Di Cox