CELEBRATION:
Dean O’loughlin and Katrina Hughan help Rachel Hateley, centre, celebrate her 100th Wimmera River parkrun during the 100th edition of the event. Seventy-eight people walked, ran or jogged the river track in Horsham on Saturday. Parkruns are free, weekly community events run throughout the world. Wimmera parkrun leaders were happy to mark the milestone at the weekend, with people once again working the event into their routines following a break from organised activities during COVID-19 lockdowns.
Wimmera River parkrun leaders are now looking forward to a birthday milestone in August after celebrating the 100th running of the event on Saturday.
Parkruns are free, weekly community events run throughout the world.
Seventy-eight people ran, walked or jogged the five-kilometre river course during the 100th event, with 11 participants recording personal bests.
Event co-director Jackie Exell said it was a fun morning.
“It was a crisp morning but it didn’t rain, and it was great to see people out and about,” she said.
“Richard Goudie and the Alley Café donated 100 muffins for the celebration, so everybody got a little treat at the end of their five kilometres, which was nice. “It all went really well.” Rachel Hateley completed her 100th Wimmera River parkrun during Saturday’s celebration, with Richard Goudie to achieve the same milestone this week.
Parkruns are made possible by ‘hivis hero volunteers’, with 11 people filling roles on Saturday.
“This week we have been celebrating Volunteers Week on our Facebook page, encouraging the volunteer element of parkrun,” Ms Exell said.
“We’re encouraging people to give volunteering a go. All the roles are really easy and there is training involved.”
Ms Exell said parkrun organisers had restructured volunteer milestones. “Previously they had a 25 milestone, but now they fall in line with the running milestones of 50 and 100, which is a really good way to recognise volunteers,” she said.
Ms Exell said she was looking forward to a birthday celebration in August.
“It will be our third birthday even though we skipped last year because of COVID,” she said.
“Everything is ticking along nicely. People are finding their new routines after not being able to do anything last year.
“It’s great to see people out and about doing some exercise and catching up with friends while enjoying the fresh air.”
Parkruns are on Saturday mornings at 8am. Nhill and Ararat also host parkrun events.
Parkrun participants need to register online and people can visit website parkrun.com.au for more information or to register.