PROMOTING social interaction and a healthy lifestyle, Mount Gambier parkrun participants will hit the unique Blue Lake loop course for the 300th time this morning.
Arguably one of Australia’s toughest parkrun loops, which takes in five kilometres of the two-way Blue Lake walking path around John Watson Drive, the Mount Gambier parkrun group will hit the milestone with around six years of events to its name.
Attracting anywhere from 70 to 100 people each Saturday morning, event director Phil Ackland said parkrun catered for people of all fitness levels.
“There is a fair assumption the wider community believe the event is based around fitness,” Mr Ackland said.
“On the day, you can see anything from a person running it at a ridiculously fast pace to somebody walking it while talking and socialising.
“We are forever trying to get a message across and although it is 5km, the timing is determined by the participant.”
Mr Ackland said the event started as a group initiative after reading an advertisement in a fitness magazine.
“It seemed like a good thing to do and at the time there was only one other parkrun in South Australia,” he said.
“It was not widely known like it is now.
“Since bringing it here, we now have a parkrun family with members you would never pick to be friends.”
The event director said the connections continue to be made each Saturday morning.
“A lot of people have met through parkrun who continue to catch up not just during the morning,” Mr Ackland said.
“You see people in many different jobs and professions which would otherwise not have known each other.
“It is great to see something volunteer-run for the community having an impact.”
Mr Ackland said the event’s core components of fitness and fun were a beneficial combination.
“It is the same time and place every Saturday so people know where to meet and are meeting new people every week,” he said.
“They are covering the minimal 5km with some people doing extra which is a bonus.”
Mr Ackland said parkrun also celebrated individual achievements as participants reached new milestones.
“Different people find their own milestones during the run whether it be time or just getting there in the morning,” he said.
“We have reward markers where participants are rewarded after 50 runs, 100 and 250.
“We are about to have our first 250th event runner in the next couple of weeks which is exciting.”
Parkrun tourism is huge according to Mr Ackland, who believes its popularity was still growing.
“Considering there are over 300 parkruns in Australia, it is surprising how often Mount Gambier gets a mention among them,” he said.
“As locals, we often take the Blue Lake for granted and there is always somebody each week visiting from a different place.
“They will always tell us how amazing it so I guess we are able to appreciate it’s beauty through their eyes.”
Mount Gambier parkrun’s 300th event will be held at its usual time, day and location – 8am this morning just east of the Apex Lookout, which overlooks the Blue Lake.
