TANTRUM Column with Gerard Walsh

THE year is less than one day old but the one thing that has stood out so far for me is the road safety message to parkrunners in Warwick just before 7am today.

The Warwick parkrun was at 7am and the Stanthorpe one was down for an 8.30am start but a Stanthorpe official spoke out before the start in Warwick about no one rushing between centres for the start at Stanthorpe.

The runners in the lead bunch had all completed their Warwick parkrun within 30 minutes but the slower runners and walkers are as much a part of parkrun as the first-finishers.

The Stanthorpe official stressed that they would accommodate every runner/walker who wanted to do two 5km events on the one day.

The message was to drive carefully between the centres and really in holiday time and for that matter anytime, driving safely is just so important.

Reminds me of rushing back from Brisbane but still within the speed limits for a defensive driving course 30-odd years ago and overtaking between the gap and Aratula when I probably wouldn't have if not rushing.

A car appeared from a little dip in the road coming in the other direction and, while I was 50m-plus from an accident, it shook me up for the rest of the night and at the course which was over a few nights.

It was great to see the co-operation between Warwick and Stanthorpe parkrunners and the obvious friendships that running bring.

Mark Brighton, from Yamanto near Ipswich, was one of seven volunteers near the parkrun starting point at Queens Park and one volunteer, Vicki Virgen, was at the weir bridge to make sure all made it safely across the river. Volunteers take a break from parkrun to officiate each week.

So a new year is here and let's hear what is happening in your club, email gerardw@warwickdailynews.com.au or call me on 46601313. Club notes and photos to community@warwickdailynews.com.au by noon each Monday.