Third parkrun for the year down by river
FEW clubs can claim three activities in the first 10 days of the year but on Saturday morning, the parkrun group will certainly be able to.
Warwick parkrun has its third run of the year from 7am Saturday from the starting spot on the banks of the Condamine River below the Warwick Water Rats field, Risdon Oval.
The group is in its second full year and runs at 7am every Saturday of the year. Participants asked to be at start at 6.45am for briefing.
The only exception last year was when parkrun made way for the half marathon to Yangan during the Pentath-run in May.
This year, a special run was held on New Year's Day and then the regular run last Saturday.
Publicity officer Christiana Merton said the group had attracted 35 to 55 runners and walkers during the holidays.
"Last year our largest number was 173 and we are hoping to build numbers as families return from holidays and school resumes," Merton said.
"Some push prams with young children around the course, others walk with their dog on a lead or in a wheelchair."
While the majority of participants run the five kilometres, 20 to 30 per cent each week walk two laps of the 2.5km course from near the Water Rats oval through Queens Park, along Churchill Drive, through St Mark's Oval, across the Madsen Bridge walkway, then under the bridge back to the starting point.
Merton said while placings and times were recorded, the emphasis was definitely on fun and fitness.
"Running is such an individual sport, you are aiming to beat your own time," she said.
All prospective participants in parkrun welcome to go to parkrun.com, register and print out a barcode.