Episode 108 - parkrun Malaysia
2018-04-19
HostsMelissa Erbacher Scott Trickett
Roving reporterEmma Nicholson
GuestHarneshpal Karamjit Singh ("Harry")
Show notes
The parkrun adventurers explore new climes and have some overseas adventures! We welcome Taman Pudu Ulu parkrun’s Co-Event Director Harneshpal Singh to the pod for a chat about parkrun Malaysia joining the global parkrun family. And Emma Nicholson files a roving report about some deadly runners and another prospective parkrun.
From the Facebook post
Episode 108 of the parkrun adventurers podcast has landed! We head to warmer climes to speak with Harry Harnesh, Co-ED of Taman Pudu Ulu parkrun, about the launch of this wonderful inaugural event in parkrun Malaysia. And what exactly is a Kilopitre? Tune in to find out! #jomparkrun
Enhanced transcript
Checked transcript — speakers named, sound described, segments marked.
Read the transcriptGuests
Harneshpal Karamjit Singh ("Harry")
The launch of Taman Pudu Ulu parkrun, the first parkrun in Malaysia — how Amer and Kala Butterfield began the process two and a half years ago via Tom Williams and Tim Oberg, Harry joining in June/August 2017, negotiating with Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) over an underutilised park refurbished for the 2017 SEA Games, seven trial runs of 17-20 people, then 129 participants and 14 volunteers on launch day (91 Malaysians, 74 first-timers) with international tourists from Australia, Poland, the UK and US. Also his own parkrun background (101 parkruns from Cardiff 2013 across six countries, heavy junior parkrun volunteering), coping with KL heat, and plans for future events at Putrajaya and Kuantan after Malaysia's 14th general election on 9 May.
Roving reports
Karawa Surf Club (as spoken — a meeting point, not a parkrun event; see notes)
In this episode
Roving Adventurers (roving reporter crossovers)
Emma Nicholson files a self-contained roving report from a surf club, interviewing Sergeant Mel Gilbert (in charge of Doomadgee PCYC) about the Deadly Runners program — over 30 kids have earned a singlet by attending six weeks — and the appeal to the parkrun family for donated pre-loved shoes, because kids running barefoot were getting injured. Gilbert took the runners to her home parkrun for their first-ever 5k and says she is "in talks with parkrun Australia" about a future parkrun at Doomadgee.
Launches and anniversaries ("Where is the cake?")
Weekly launch and anniversary rundown. Launches: Gainsborough Greens at Pimpama on the Gold Coast (the final launch of the Embracing 2018 Commonwealth Games legacy program of 20 events), Moana in South Australia and Wanneroo in WA — "three launch weekend this weekend". Anniversaries: Augustine Heights (Qld), Cottesloe (WA), Mackay (Qld) and Sale (Vic), with Scott doing a running joke about reciting them from "memory" while reading a list.