Gloucester Parkrun

THERE was already some warmth in the air for the start of Gloucester’s 226th parkrun.

After a bumper crowd for the long weekend before, it was the locals that dominated those gathering at the start. Visitors from Singleton, Central Coast and Taree added to the 55 finishers for the day.

As usual, the parkrun started on time, which saw a couple of latecomers muttering ‘I am always late’ as they took off after the retreating crowd of walkers and runners.

There were signs of summer already, with patches of grass in the park turning brown, although the upturned trees in the river and the dried mud on the path still told the story of the winter floods only a few months ago.

The walkers and runners were cheered by the volunteers as they turned at the halfway point, with some of the walkers choosing to break into a run around the cone before returning to a comfortable amble to start the second lap. Trudie Murray achieved her goal of getting to halfway before the first finisher.

Josh Slade was the first male finisher, visiting from Singleton for his first time at Gloucester parkrun, with local Ellie Cameron the first female finisher.

The warm weather seemed to suit a few people with personal best times for Connor McLean, Aaron McLean, Chris Thomas, Jane Liddle and Roger Liddle.

Thanks to the bumper roster of volunteers which made the event happen, with Rod Eckels and Tracy Wilson helping to set up before Rod backed up as scanner. Gary Ferris was the steady hand of timekeeper, although John Watts was on his trainer wheels in his finish tokens’ role, needing assistance from young Roy McRae after Roy completed his run first.

Gina Dalmulder took on the role of tailwalker, guiding the group from behind. Marc Dalmulder was taking a break from recent personal best times to put his photography skills into practice, taking some great shots of runners and walkers in the park surrounds.

Ros Poynting donned the blue vest of parkwalker – a role not often seen at Gloucester parkrun – which has the aim of being a friendly face (anyone who knows Ros knows she is always smiling!) to provide support and encouragement to walkers. It is part of parkrun’s commitment to increasing the number of people who walk (rather than run) at parkrun events.

Ros did the role with style, even managing to gently persuade a couple of walkers to complete the course rather than stopping halfway. Ros was also smiling about finishing 70th last week on her 70th parkrun.

Gloucester parkrun is at 8am every Saturday – so come along and join in the fun of a 5 kilometre walk or run around Gloucester District Park (it’s a free event).

By Carolyn DAVIES