Episode 21 - Longest Run

2016-05-25

Show notes

The parkrun adventurers celebrate our 21st episode with all things half marathon. We run long talking longest runs and catch up with Robbo to hear about his not-so-naked half. Parramatta parkrun Event Director Mel Alderton pops by for a visit, and we hear from roving adventurers Melissa Taylor and Zara Curtis, reporting in from the Warwick Pentathrun and Portland parkrun’s launch.

Enhanced transcript

Checked transcript — speakers named, sound described, segments marked.

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In this episode

Longest Run explainer (winter solstice seven-parkrun freedom run)
Scott flags the 19 June Longest Run and asks the co-host, who has run several on the Sunshine Coast, to explain the format: seven parkrun courses run consecutively in one day as an unofficial freedom-run event, with schedules, timing, first aid and travel logistics. Includes the announcement that the Melbourne Longest Run starts at Jells at 6:30am.
Catch-up with Robbo (region of runners)
Recurring guest slot with Dave Robbo: his Sydney Morning Herald half marathon run documented on Snapchat with two iPhones and a selfie stick, pacing Michael Shelley and Harry Summers for two minutes, winding up the Naked Runners after 69 episodes, the new Mossy and Robbo Rio Olympics crowdfunding project and "Samba Sofa", Newcastle parkrun's fourth anniversary on 11 June, and the Dave's Running Club.
Event Director guest interview (Meet the ED format)
Mel Alderton, Event Director of Parramatta parkrun, on taking over from founding ED Jonathan Arthur, the course from George Kendall Reserve at Ermington out and back along the Parramatta River, her nine adventure events (Shell Harbour, Bega, Bowral), her triathlon background, and her message that back-of-the-pack parkrunners have nothing to prove.
Roving adventurer report — Portland parkrun launch (Craig Curtis)
Victorian Territory Director Craig Curtis reports from the post-run cafe at the Portland parkrun launch, interviewing ED Allan Hoskins (148 finishers), event team member Brian Glover "the old man in orange" (173 marathons, 69 ultramarathons), Phil Ackland (ED, Mount Gambier) and a visiting Brian on the course.
Junior roving adventurer report — Zara Curtis at Altona Beach parkrun
A second Portland report from Zara Curtis, interviewing Point Cook parkrun tourists Sean Hill and Maxime Sylvester about driving 400km for the launch, their 89 parkruns each, all 32 Victorian events plus Tasmania and Queensland. Signs off trailing the You Yangs parkrun launch after winter.
Roving adventurer report — Warwick Pentathrun (Melissa Taylor)
A long field report from the Warwick Pentathrun, tied to the episode's half-marathon theme: Melissa Taylor interviews half-marathon finishers including Nola of Warwick parkrun, Ralph and Cheryl of Nambour, the Paulmans, Deborah Mills in an ice bath, John Pearson of Noosa, Marie and James, Tara and Sarah of Gatton, and Jason and Eric of Brightwater.
Social Adventurers
Round-up of the week's parkrun adventurer activity on Facebook, Instagram and Strava: a Facebook link for finding your nearest 5K anywhere in the world, Run Jo Run's Portland road trip, Finding My Balance at Capalaba, a shared 50th birthday and 50th parkrun, and Miss Spelt's freedom run on the Warwick course.
Launches and anniversaries ("Where is the cake?")
No launches this week, but anniversaries at Castlemaine (first, C and P theme), Devonport (first, P theme), Highlands (third, tiaras/top hats/ties/tutus), Mount Penang (second), Penrith Lakes (second, blue theme) and the Ponds (first, fluoro theme), with the running cake gag intact ("I don't care about anniversaries. I care about cake.").