A runner the world over
The global club Parkrun has now spread to New Zealand, writes
On a recent Saturday morning, Geoffrey Jackson got up early, had fruit and cereal for breakfast and then took a 20-minute walk in preparation for his 5 kilometre run.
He completed the course in 36 minutes and 45 seconds: a record for his age group (of which he is the only member). At course end he rewarded himself with a passionfruit fairy cake and a cappuccino. Then he turned round and walked 20 minutes back home again.
Jackson has just turned 86. His Saturday morning routine is the same wherever in the world he may be – in the truest of senses.
For the past two months, his presence has been noted and applauded at Auckland’s Cornwall Park, as a member of an international informal running movement, Parkrun. There, as in parks in other parts of the city, the country, and around the world, weekly Saturday sessions of Parkrun kick off at 8am sharp.
‘‘To be honest with you, I enjoy running. It just gives me a great feeling, and it’s relatively easy to do,’’ says Jackson. He is talking just after crossing the finish line. His barely-out-of-breath delivery is such that you’d think he’d just popped down to the letterbox.
Parkrun participants complete the 5km course at their own pace (which means some go like hell and some take a more leisurely approach). It’s free, it’s a wholly voluntary movement, and it’s organised by enthusiastic amateurs. Every age and ability is welcome; dogs (on a leash) too.
Jackson is Cornwall Park Parkrun’s poster boy. The British local has been in New Zealand visiting his daughter and her family. That explains why, on some weeks, his times have been a little slower – due to the fact he sometimes pushes his 21⁄2-year-old grandson Xavier around the course in a buggy. Weather doesn’t stop these events; nor do public holidays get in the way of them (Cornwall Park is adding an extra event on both Christmas Day and Boxing Day this year).
Here at Cornwall Park on this Saturday morning the Parkrunners gather for their pretake-off briefing (children under 11 must be accompanied by an adult, dogs – see above – and remember to hand in your registration tag at the end).
That’s all it takes to take part: participants register online and are issued with a barcode which they print out and take with them. At the finish line, they receive a token which has a digital recording of their time on it. That, together with their barcode is handed to a volunteer who scans both – thus recording contestants’ times. These are then posted online for comparison with participants the world over. No matter where they turn up, they only ever have to register once.
There is no starter’s gun, just a resoundingly enthusiastic ‘‘go!’’ from event director Jeff Parkinson. And they’re off: the long legs, the little legs, the four legs. There’s very little Lycra about, but an abundance of good feeling. At journey’s end, some burst past the post with a frenzy; others roll up in no particular urgency …
And here comes Xavier in his chariot; his grandfather at the helm. ‘‘It’s hard work with a buggy,’’ explains Jackson of his 48.41 time on this occasion.
Other Parkrunners today include Auckland doctor Oonagh Turner, who is a regular with her schoolboy son, Sam, 15. Oonagh started first, as part of her triathlon training; she has now clocked up 85 runs. ‘‘It’s free, and you don’t have to commit. It’s really inclusive and really friendly. I love the fact they are literally all over the world,’’ she says.
Back when he started, Sam Turner was beaten to the post by his Mum. His original time was 27 minutes; now he’s down to 17 – which sees him placed second or third on repeat occasions – with Mum now far behind. It’s fun, says Sam. ‘‘It’s good exercise, and I have a chance to do well.’’
Jackson is now back home in Didcot, Oxfordshire. There, he lays claim to being one of the top 10 runners overall in the Didcot Parkrun. The retired glass blower took up running at the age of 52. Now he trains four times a week and runs regularly throughout summer
It’s in England that Parkrun began: founded in Bushy Park, Teddington in 2004. The movement has spread to 14 countries around the world, including New Zealand, Australia, Ireland and South Africa. They’re doing it in Poland and Russia and elsewhere too,
Since starting here in 2012, Parkrun has been set up in 15 locations around the country, from Whangarei to Dunedin.
Parkrun Cornwall Park founders Noel and Lian de Charmoy say the aim is to grow more sites in New Zealand. Cambridge and Taupo are next, with events there scheduled to start early next year.
‘‘It’s a great community,’’ says Noel. Adds Lian: ‘‘Everyone is there for the same reason; you know you can turn up and there’s always someone there for you to run with.’’
Geoffrey Jackson has a heart condition. He had three stents put in eight years ago. When he learned he needed medical intervention: ‘‘I said to my doctor: ‘not running is not an option’.’’
But why? ‘‘Let’s face it: you can drop dead in your armchair watching TV. And If I drop dead while I’m running, I’ll be a very happy man.’’
Find out more about Parkrun New Zealand at parkrun.co.nz.