Wimmera parkrun award recognition

Wimmera River parkrun has won Horsham Rural City Council’s Australia Day community event of the year award.

The organiser of the weekly Horsham community fun run says volunteer and participant efforts in 2022 are to thank for the event’s Australia Day award recognition.

Nearly 2000 people have participated in the weekly five-kilometre walk, run or jog along the river-side course that starts at Sawyer Park every Saturday at 8am.

Wimmera River parkrun organiser Andrew Sostheim said he was proud of the event’s recognition at this year’s awards, and he was glad volunteers and participants won recognition for their community contributions.

“When I look at the hours our volunteers put in every week, we do punch above our weight because our volunteers are there every weekend, rain, hail or shine. The community owns this event. It is their award,” he said.

Wimmera River parkrun is a free event for people of all fitness levels. It launched in 2018.

Mr Sostheim said it had been ‘wonderful’ to see community engagement and participation increase at the weekly events after COVID-19 restrictions eased.

“Our volunteer numbers have been fantastic and locals and tourists have found the event a great way to kick off their weekends,” he said.

“Just last weekend we had 80 participants, with 17 first timers.

“The event also clocked over a combined 65,000 kilometres along our Wimmera River course since the run launched.”

There are also weekly parkrun events in Nhill, Edenhope and Ararat.

A first-time registration is required for new parkrun participants and can be completed online via parkrun.com.au/wimmerariverhorsham