Episode 144 - Glen Turner

00:00:00[music]

Welcome

00:00:16Scott Trickett: Rolling! That's what the pros used to say.

00:00:21Melissa Erbacher: Are you stealing my intro, Scotty?

00:00:22Scott Trickett: No.

00:00:24Melissa Erbacher: Good. Because it's my turn to say that it's episode 144 of the parkrun adventurers. We are back for 2019. Some thought it wasn't going to happen. We had our doubts once or twice. Little known fact, this is actually the fourth attempt at recording this intro and this episode. of the podcast. So we have turned into such professional perfectionists over the holiday period that it's taken four goes before we're happy to actually release a pod. My name is Mel Erbacher. My co-host name is Scotty Trickett.

00:01:08Scott Trickett: Hi, Mel. Great to be back. Who's had the doubts? Is it you?

00:01:14Melissa Erbacher: Well, you know, I thought we were a goer after the third attempt, Scotty, and then it didn't happen. So that's possibly where the doubts have come in. But I'm confident. My confidence is back. We're back. My confidence is back. It's all steam ahead.

00:01:31Scott Trickett: Yeah, it feels like a February. It feels like we needed to come back in February this year. It doesn't. I wasn't feeling January much at all this year, so we're just wiping it from the record from the parkrun existence. Wow. From the parkrun adventurers existence. It didn't happen, but it did happen for both of us. We got lots of parkrunning in. Lots of adventures. Yeah, lots of adventures and lots of different events that we're going to touch on a bit later on because we both had a bit of an adventure this weekend.

00:02:01Melissa Erbacher: We did. So we thought we'd stay with the current news, the current events, and head back there. So where were you, Scotty?

00:02:08Scott Trickett: I got my cue on. I was in Tasmania. Oh, my goodness. First time in my life I've ever been to Tasmania. Where were you?

00:02:15Melissa Erbacher: That's a new state for you and a new letter for your alphabet. That's very impressive. Did you check in – before we get to me, did you check whether or not it's a new event for your Wilson Index? Well, obviously, it's not a new event for your P Index.

00:02:28Scott Trickett: No.

00:02:30Melissa Erbacher: You didn't get any stopwatch bingo while you were gone?

00:02:33Scott Trickett: I didn't. I didn't. I'm so close on the stopwatch bingo. The last few weeks I've been like seconds out. Yeah. It's so frustrating.

00:02:40Melissa Erbacher: It's excruciating, isn't it? Like you look at your watch and you're just like, oh, I just got to slow down. But then, yeah.

00:02:48Scott Trickett: I know. And Yvonne has already got it. Oh, she's done. So she's floating and holding that over me. But she's done it. She did it under 200 runs. Wow.

00:02:56Melissa Erbacher: That's very impressive. Yeah. I'm only two or three away, and I reckon, I mean, without fabricating it too much, I reckon I could get there in under 200 runs. You've already blown that out of the water, so you're just going to have to chug along quietly behind the rest of us. Absolutely.

00:03:17Lyndell Murray: But you've got a queue.

00:03:19Melissa Erbacher: Tell me about Queens Domain parkrun and Tassie.

00:03:21Scott Trickett: I'll go first. I'll go first. We'd planned this a long time. A couple of months ago, one of our Westerfoldian legends, Amanda, floated the idea in the group that we should all do a road trip and we should pick a date, and she found really cheap flights.

00:03:36Melissa Erbacher: That's more of a plane trip than a road trip.

00:03:38Scott Trickett: Yeah, yeah. So we all agreed this was the weekend we were going to do it. Everyone booked these cheap flights. But the Tricketts do something a little bit differently, and I wanted to make a weekend out of it. So we flew down on a Friday night beforehand, and then we extended the weekend, whereas the rest of my buddies flew in. So like 3 a.m. starts on Saturday morning. To catch plane, like it must have been a six o'clock flight because the beauty of Tasmanian parkruns is they start at nine o'clock. So it gives you this bit of flexibility. None of this 7am nonsense.

00:04:10Melissa Erbacher: Well, that's one of the beauties of them, but yeah.

00:04:12Scott Trickett: Yep. So you can fly interstate and visit a parkrun all in the one day. And then they, we spent the day around Hobart seeing the sights and then they all flew home. And we took in another day in smoky old Hobart. This country is a mess at the moment. We're flooding up the top. We're burning down the bottom. I think we're all sort of melting in the middle a bit. And it's a funny time of year.

00:04:38Melissa Erbacher: It's a funny… Meanwhile in Australia.

00:04:41Scott Trickett: So yeah, Queens Domain, really enjoyed the parkrun. It's in central Hobart. It's in the botanical garden. So there's almost like a purpose built path around the gardens and it's a sort of an out and back with a little bit of a trail bit. So it's a nice path, that goes around the top, which gives you views over the water and lots of Hobart. And then it does a little detour on the way back to incorporate some short sharp hills, narrow sections on some trails, And really nice, really friendly. They were quite amazed by the fact that a group of 18 of us had travelled from Melbourne just to visit the parkrun. Because you've got to remember, Mel, like in Hobart, so they only had Hobart parkrun, which is at Risdon Dam, for a long time. And then they've introduced a few more lately. So I don't think there's this culture of tourism or adventuring in Hobart just yet. And maybe it's growing in Tasmania. Because when, during the first timers' brief, they said, Where are you all from? And they referred to the northerners. So there were a couple of people that were down from Devonport and George Town. So in an island, in a state that's really quite small, they haven't quite got their head around the touring and visiting other parkruns. So it was a novelty for us to travel. I think we might have even made the paper.

00:06:05Melissa Erbacher: A paper? Seriously? Yeah.

00:06:08Scott Trickett: Yeah, well, there was a journo there and it might have been a slow news day. I didn't follow up to see if we didn't make the paper. It was a story. It was a story.

00:06:18Melissa Erbacher: I am impressed with the commitment of those. Like, yes, it is nice to take a long weekend and just enjoy yourselves and do things at your own pace. But I am impressed with the 3 a.m. starters and those who made the same day trip. I am a little bit shocked that Hobart being so close to Melbourne, you've never been. Like how many years have you lived in Melbourne?

00:06:42Scott Trickett: Well, pretty much all my life. Yeah, you grew up there.

00:06:45Melissa Erbacher: It's a little bit disgraceful, Scotty, that you've never been. But I am excited that you've ticked that off as a new state as well. So one closer to your Peel Club as well.

00:06:57Scott Trickett: Yeah, yeah. And it was really driven by the queue. It's sort of like the Tricketts have become a little bit obsessed with the alphabet in the last couple of months.

00:07:06Melissa Erbacher: Okay. How many letters have you got left to go?

00:07:08Scott Trickett: Okay. I've got two. I'm missing my Y, which is easy. I think we've talked about this before. I'm missing my Y and my U. U is a tough one for us from the greater state. We've got to get up north a bit, but we've got a Y here, so that's pretty easy. So I'm getting really close. I'm getting really close. But what are the chances? What are the chances there was the rest of the parkrun team were also in Tasmania on the weekend, just not at Queen's Domain?

00:07:36Melissa Erbacher: Yeah, well, we didn't want to miss out on all the Tassie action, I guess. So, yeah, I was in Launceston parkrun for the second time. I actually chose to volunteer this time given I've already run the course. However, the course is a little bit different, which I realised I volunteered as a photographer and I actually probably walked four and a half K of the course anyway. Because, you know, you want to get out there and amongst it. But you also, as a photographer, want to take photos of any milestones and important things that are happening in the pre-run brief. So I wasn't positioned out on the course until after the event started. So I kind of was just a roving photographer and took photos of people as I came upon them. Which was nice.

00:08:24Scott Trickett: Got lots of… They're the best kind, Mel. They're the best kind because I look at a lot of parkrun photos and I like it when we've got some different backdrops and some different angles from the one week.

00:08:33Melissa Erbacher: At the single event and it's not just, you know… Yes. …the same stretch and just different faces in them.

00:08:41Scott Trickett: It doesn't tell the story of the parkrun. It is. It is about the people, but it doesn't tell the story of the course and what the environment they're running in.

00:08:50Melissa Erbacher: And you know what? I mean, there are volunteers that often get missed out because they're marshalling somewhere out on a course as well. And I knew that there were going to be at least three marshals out there, from past experience and I was determined to go get a photo of every single volunteer as well. So that was my goal. That's why I didn't stop, you know, until I'd caught all the Marshals and then the Tail Walker came up and I went, okay, we'll all walk back together. So, yeah, it was a beautiful morning. The weather was perfect for running or park walking if that's what you do. I was actually really rather envious because we haven't had a temperature like that in Queensland for a very long time. I think, you know, winter last year. It wasn't cold. It was just perfect, perfect and no humidity. And, yeah, it was beautiful. But the course was lovely. I think I was at Launceston. Was I at Launceston before or after we started podcasting?

00:09:51Scott Trickett: I think it might have been pre-pod. I don't recall you talking about it.

00:09:55Melissa Erbacher: Because I spent a week in Tassie and we did Hobart first and then we did Launceston second.

00:10:02Sally: No, no, no, no.

00:10:04Melissa Erbacher: It was after. It was in the early days of the podcast because I did a Freedom Run of Devonport. And yeah, Ben, who's a podcast listener, he very kindly came down and let me, well, explained the course to me so I could do a Freedom Run. Didn't quite catch up with him. Yeah, so I think it was in our very first year of podcasting that we were down there.

00:10:23Scott Trickett: So I won't go over the course. We've got people listening back from episode one that I know of, so maybe they can remind us.

00:10:30Melissa Erbacher: Yeah, it'll be fresh in their minds anyway.

00:10:34Scott Trickett: But then when they hear this six months down the track, they'll remind us. Yeah.

00:10:40Melissa Erbacher: We'll see. Yeah, but it was a great morning. We've got a guest, a special guest on the show a little bit later who will discuss a bit more what was involved with why we were there. So I'll leave that to that conversation. But, yeah, it was great. Funny to be in the same state as you and not at the same event, especially when, you know, both of us had travelled to be there. But maybe next time.

00:11:10Scott Trickett: Maybe next time. Maybe next time. It was unavoidable. I would have loved to have been there celebrating. What our guest is going to talk to us about, and I'm sure lots of our listeners already know why you were there.

00:11:21Melissa Erbacher: It was a great vibe. And all the volunteers were amazing. Breakfast afterwards was amazing. I know you say, you know, one of the perks is a 9 a.m. start, but that's also we had to get a late checkout and stuff from our hotels because by the time we finished breakfast, it was 10 to 12. You know, that's lunch. But we did get to have a sort of sleep-in since – no, it was the opposite of a sleep-in. No, it wasn't because it was a 9 o'clock start versus a 7 a.m. start. So it was still sleeping. This is the problem with daylight savings. I still can't get my head around it. How many months has it been now? And it's still ruining my brain.

00:12:01Scott Trickett: What time is it now?

00:12:03Melissa Erbacher: In Queensland, it's almost noon.

00:12:07Scott Trickett: What time is it here?

00:12:08Melissa Erbacher: It's either 11 or 1.

00:12:12Scott Trickett: It's a critical difference you need to work out there.

00:12:16Melissa Erbacher: Yeah. It's only important if I go to those states. But time, it's all about time and we're going to be time travelling later. Later in the episode, later in the series of podcast adventures.

00:12:31Scott Trickett: Yeah, because I know you're all hanging on every word we say. And what did Mel and Scotty get up to in the break? Well, you'll all find out. But we've got guests. We've got roving reports to get to this week. So let's crack on.

Interview Glen Turner — Health and Wellbeing Lead, parkrun Australia and New Zealand

00:12:52Scott Trickett: There's a new kid in town, but he's been around the block a few times. We've imported him from the UK. He's been on the podcast before. So welcome back, Mr. Glen Turner. Thanks, Scott. Great to be here, mate. Mr. Glen Turner, what is your official title now that you're back in the world of parkrun Australia?

00:13:11Glen Turner: So I'm the health and wellbeing lead for parkrun in Australia and New Zealand. And that basically means that a big part of my role involves looking at ways that we can improve Increased participation amongst groups and communities that are underrepresented at parkrun and therefore potentially have the most to gain from free, regular, socially focused physical activity through walking, running, volunteering, socialising, just being out in the fresh air. And I think that really reflects the way that parkrun has evolved from a run around a park into a recognised public health intervention. In other words, we've got this fantastic concept that's captured the imagination of millions of people in thousands of communities around the world. And so the challenge now is how do we bring parkrun to the people in society who are the least likely to take part? and to the communities where we can have the biggest impact. So, for example, a lot of my work will be with people who live with disabilities and long-term health conditions, including people who live with mental illness, disadvantaged communities, communities with poorer health outcomes, remote communities, ethnic minorities, people who reside in prisons and drug and alcohol rehab centres and other closed facilities, older people, communities with a high density of older people, people who are prescribed drugs physical activity by health professionals, kids, and in the broader sense, anyone who is currently inactive. So in order to reach out to these groups, we need to make connections with individuals, support networks, government and other organisations who can really help us to understand the barriers that stand between a lot of people and parkrun participation and to find ways to empower those people to take part. So it's fostering those collaborations that will be a big part of my job. And what's really encouraged me has been having so many people getting in touch with me already to say that their organisation is successfully signposting people to parkrun or linking in some way with their local parkrun. So, for example, I've been hearing from... organisations that support people with disabilities, healthcare professionals who are prescribing parkrun to their patients, councils in disadvantaged areas who have been working with local volunteers to introduce a parkrun there, and they're already seeing tangible benefits to the health of the people in their community, and the list goes on. And I'm always really, really keen to hear from anyone who is having success in those areas to share their experiences. I think ultimately over time, we want to normalise participation at parkrun amongst the entire population. So to get to a point where people aren't saying, these are the reasons that I'm not taking part to these are all the ways that I can benefit from parkrun.

00:16:30Melissa Erbacher: Now, Scotty said that we've imported you from the UK, but we actually exported you first. So you're originally an Aussie, despite the slight British lilt you've got going on with your accent at the moment. Whereabouts are you based at the moment, Glen?

00:16:46Glen Turner: So, well, I was born and bred in Shellharbour, which is down near Wollongong. Lived here pretty much till I was 18. Had a few years down in Canberra after that. And then I went to America for a few months and that turned into 16 years out of the country. I actually landed in the UK the first week that parkrun started back in October 2004. But I didn't find out about it for another five years after that. So I can always remember when I got to the UK because it's the same anniversary as parkrun.

00:17:21Scott Trickett: Now your time in the UK with parkrun, you weren't the health and wellbeing lead. You're in a communications and media role. Why the shift when you came back home?

00:17:32Glen Turner: Yep, so I worked for parkrun in the UK for almost four years, having had been an ambassador and Event Director for several years beforehand. And when I came on in 2015, there wasn't a communications department or communications person. So I kind of was that department initially. But over the years, our team evolved into four people, got some more resource to do a lot more work in that department. And as we expanded in the UK in terms of, I guess, programs and initiatives in the community, my role became much more focused on the publicity around these different interventions. So things such as parkrun practices in the UK where GPs can prescribe parkrun, the rollout of the prison parkrun program over in the UK, And the more that I got involved in these different programs and doing the publicity for them, the more obviously I learned about them. And the more I became really, really keen to see if I could be involved in adapting and replicating some of those in Australia, but also looking at ways out here that... We could do a few projects and interventions which are unique to Australia and New Zealand. So when the opportunity came to transfer back to work for parkrun in Australia in a health and wellbeing role, then I didn't need asking twice to come back. So, yeah, it's been back for a month now and it's been a bit of a whirlwind. There's lots of stuff happening. going on at the moment behind the scenes. So I'm just really enjoying being back, becoming familiar again with living in Australia, but also seeing the huge potential we've got through parkrun to really make some even more, I think, of a significant impact than what's already happened over the past eight years.

00:19:31Melissa Erbacher: Some very exciting initiatives happening over in the UK. It'll be great to see what you can do here in Oz, Glen. Now, we got some really fabulous news, parkrun Australia, in recent days. Can you elaborate a little bit on that for our listeners?

00:19:50Glen Turner: I absolutely can, Mel. So I guess, first of all, just to rewind and give a bit of context to this, because I think there's quite a lot that led up to the announcement on the weekend. So I think the fact that we were even in a position to apply for this level of funding shows two really important things. I think, firstly, it demonstrates that parkrun has really evolved in Australia into a model that's recognised at the highest levels now as being accessible to pretty much everybody in society. So, as I was saying earlier, whether you choose to walk or run or volunteer or simply come along for a chat and hang out with your mates, there's something there for everybody. And secondly, the way that parkrun's been embraced by, what is it now, 350 communities around Australia, it really shows that our model, as well as being successful, it's scalable as well. So in other words, in theory, we can literally pick up the parkrun model and place it anywhere in the country. And we talk a lot about breaking down the barriers to participation, but I think what's equally as important is how successful we've been in Australia in making the process of starting a parkrun in your community as straightforward as possible. So I think everybody who's been involved in parkrun in some way in Australia over the past eight years should take a huge amount of credit for the role they've played in getting us to a point where we can even apply for this type of funding and investment. So Everybody who's had their barcode scanned at a parkrun, everybody who's pulled on the high vis, everybody who's brought a friend or family member along, every council that we work with, everybody who's advocated parkrun, you know, in the public domain. It's been a really massive team effort. And I think we should be really, really proud of that. And so those two things together, creating a model that's successful and scalable, has helped us get to a stage where last year, really, where we got to, I guess, what you call critical mass in Australia. So as a result, we were looking to kind of flip the way that parkrun expands on its head. So traditionally, we've always been community driven. So it's been an organic word of mouth approach where we respond to demand from communities and individuals. But we wanted to be a lot more proactive in actually going out and targeting people and communities who've got an enormous amount to gain from parkrun, but perhaps need a lot more work to get to the point where they can get the event on the ground and then get people involved. taking part. And so I think if we're serious about our parkrun mission statement of creating healthy and happy communities, then we need to find ways to reach beyond the word of mouth promotion, to reach people who are vulnerable and marginalised, but also people who simply never thought they could take part in something like parkrun. So don't get me wrong. We'll obviously always support communities that come to us, but we want to be really proactive and start conversations in areas and communities that haven't heard of us. And so when we got to that position last year, we were looking for how we could resource that kind of outreach to start those conversations with people and with communities and support groups. So we were looking for a way to access some kind of funding to help us out. And that opportunity presented itself last October when the Australian government invited organisations to work design and submit project ideas with a specific focus on getting people aged over 65 or more, more physically active. When we looked at the application requirements really closely, we felt that we could meet the criteria. And even if we weren't successful, we wanted to at least put a marker down with the government and show the impact and the reach that parkruns are having and can have in the future. So I won't bore anybody with the ins and outs of a 25,000-word government project submission because they do need to spell out, you know, in the most intricate detail what parkrun's about, our successes, our failures, our learnings, what we're proposing to do. And obviously, it has to be costed down to the final cent. But just to give an idea of the crux of it, there were two things that were really important to us. The first thing is that, yes, the project is for over 65s, but we didn't want to just focus on over 65s because parkrun, as we all know, is an intergenerational activity. So we wanted to come up with an idea that would engage people of all ages. So we needed to think about that. And the second thing, we wanted the proposal to be based on as much evidence as we could get our hands on. So one of the ways we did that in the early stages, we sent out a survey to 5,000 parkrunners in Australia over the age of 65 to find out a whole bunch of things from how they first heard about parkrun right through to the impact it's had on their entire lives. And when we looked at that research in combination with other organisations who'd done similar research over the years with over 65s and the World Health Organization, other governments, et cetera, it became obvious that the older that people get, the more they rely on the people around them to inform them of different activities and how they rely on these people to help them access those activities. So it's not a matter of simply saying, oh, well, you know, come along to parkrun and you'll love it. It's more about speaking directly to friends, family, support networks, professional networks, healthcare workers, all those people who have the influence and credibility who can start to bang the parkrun drum. And it also became really clear that just one activity such as parkrun often prompts participation in other activities because once you've got the social connections, the social networks and the confidence, then that can be a real catalyst to go out and do a lot more stuff during the week. So we're really talking about holistic health and wellbeing benefits that extend well beyond parkrun on a Saturday morning. So in terms of the project itself, I guess there are two main things to think about. The first one is that we need to have a lot of conversations with all these different networks to really start to understand the barriers that we need to overcome and then how we can support and empower people and communities to get involved in parkrun in whichever way they choose. Yes, the running and walking is really beneficial, but where the mountains of evidence is now is showing how important being outside in the fresh air is, how great volunteering makes you feel, how social connections and knowing your neighbours are really important, how feeling part of a community gives you a real sense of purpose, and how for a lot of people parkrun is simply a matter of motivation to get out of bed and in the fresh air on a Saturday morning. So, you know, it's whatever you want it to be. So that research and the success we've had in Australia already of engaging over 65s gave rise to what we call the parkrun Generations Project, which commits to getting 50,000 more over 65s involved with parkrun, plus, of course, family, friends and the people around them. So when you think that every parkrun is, I guess, a permanent intervention in a community, the scale of what we're aiming to do is really, really significant, not just in terms of numbers, but the fact that those numbers largely represent people who are the least physically active. So all of that said, we submitted the application towards the end of last year and then got a call last week to say that the application and the project had been approved, and that it would be officially announced at Launceston parkrun on Saturday. So a few of us went down to meet with the Launceston team and Senator Bridget McKenzie, who's the sports minister, and she stood up in front of all the walkers, runners and volunteers at the event and proudly announced that parkrun is the beneficiary of $1.8 million for the parkrun Generations Project, which was really, really exciting. And one of the things that Senator McKenzie talked a lot about on the day was, I guess, the fact that government has recognised that parkrun really is a public health intervention. and something that health professionals can signpost patients to. So, for example, we know in the UK that parkrun in the UK collaborates with the Royal College of GPs over there, which means that GPs can prescribe parkrun to their patients rather than traditional medication. That's one thing that we're really, really keen to see if we can replicate over here in Australia. But at least informally in the initial stages, you know, it's going to be great to see or has been great to see and hear of how many GPs and other healthcare professionals are already informally prescribing parkrun and the benefits that's had. So it's really... Refreshing and encouraging, I think, to see that recognition from the government that parkrun is very much a holistic intervention that can really reach into sort of the farthest areas in a community rather than just the captive audience of people who are already physically active. So, yeah, we had a great day on Saturday with the announcement. And I just need to give, I think, a big shout out to the Run Director on the day. It was a young man by the name of Josh Brooks. And Josh was run directing for the very first time on Saturday, and suddenly had a few people from parkrun HQ and senators and the media and other people down there. But despite all that, did an absolutely fantastic job. So, yeah, thanks very much, Josh, for all your hard work on a Saturday morning. Sounds like a great morning.

00:30:11Scott Trickett: Kind of wish I was there. But one thing the senator announced and one thing some of the parkrunners might have picked up on is that this is the Better Ageing Grant. So this is for... parkrunner's 65 over. So what's in it for me, Glen? I'm only 40. I'm in my 40s. Nearly revealed my real age there. But this is really for everybody, isn't it? It's not just if you're over 65, we're going to start paying you to go to parkrunner or anything like that.

00:30:39Glen Turner: Yeah, exactly. I think there's a few points there to make. I think what is really important is that because parkrun is one of those very almost unique activities where people can take part together of all ages. And all you've got to do is stand at the finish or the start line at a parkrun every single week anywhere in the world, and you're seeing people running together, the grandkids, kids, grandparents, et cetera. You know, a way that people can get physically active together, they can socialise together, get outside, get the fresh air. And that's, you know, that's such a wonderful part of parkrun. But I think the other thing too is that we, when we're talking about people who are younger than the arbitrary age here of 65. I think as we get older, there needs to be a real understanding that how important physical activity and social connections are as we do get older. And so it's not just about engaging over 65s, but it's getting people of all ages into the habit of regular physical activity, of getting out and being part of your community, spending time in your open spaces and setting yourself up in a way that when you are older and there is a huge amount to benefit from being physically active, then it's not just that you're doing it regularly but you know you're aware of places in your community you can do that such as parkrun so I think yes of course it's extremely important to get people over the age of 65 involved but I think we've got real scope to touch people of all ages through the project and that's very much the aim

00:32:24Scott Trickett: You mentioned something else there, Glen, that I want to go back and touch on. Spectating and the importance of being outdoors. So you may not be able to participate in 5K at the moment. You may not be ready to volunteer at the moment, but we're saying spectating at parkrun. Explain that to me.

00:32:42Glen Turner: Well, I think it's really important to acknowledge that there are going to be times when all of us, for whatever reason, can't run or walk the 5K perhaps, or that for some reason we just don't feel like volunteering on that day, and that's absolutely fine. And there will be people who... for whatever reason, may not be able to take part in various ways in parkrun. So I think what is really, really important is that we acknowledge that participation does take a lot of forms and that there are huge benefits to simply participating getting out of your house on a Saturday morning, coming along and socialising with people, feeling like you're part of a community. And, yes, that very much is if you run, jog, walk or volunteer, then you feel that sense of inclusion, I suppose. But you can get the same thing too from just standing on the sidelines and seeing people walk and run past you. parkrun is a very... happy and joyful experience. And I think it's really important that we find as many ways as we can to include people in whatever way is accessible and comfortable to them. All of that said, I think one of the things that I have heard so many times over the years is people say, and I've said it myself, just come along to parkrun and see it for yourself. And I truly believe that a lot of people will get involved with parkrun because the first time they come along, they're in, you know, jeans or joggers or whatever it is or walking boots just to come along and see what the fuss is all about. And by looking at people and seeing, people who look like them that they can relate to, they suddenly, all these different preconceptions disappear. So the idea in your head that, you know, it's like a... a high-level cross-country race with people in spikes running around in 15 minutes. And then it's very competitive and very unfriendly and all these different things that people may have in their head as a barrier to taking part. But I think seeing parkrun with your own eyes really starts to dispel a lot of those myths. And so, yeah, coming along and seeing it for the first time is a huge step for people, just coming along. But also I think it's often a catalyst to take part for the first time because suddenly you realise, look, this is actually something which is accessible to me. So, I think that is really important as is. I would always argue that, you know, if you can't run Walker Volunteer one week, it's better to be standing there in the fresh air and talking to people than it is to be home inside.

00:35:40Melissa Erbacher: I think there are a lot of parkrunners who don't realise the impact that they can have on spreading that positive social experience just by interacting with other people who are walking along the path or spectating, as you say, Glen, and, you know, just giving them a smile and a wave, saying good morning. You know, that interaction could be somebody's most and only positive interaction for the whole of the day of a Saturday morning. So, you know, I think everybody's got a part to play in increasing interaction. the awareness of that. And I'm really excited. My mum's over 65 and Scotty, I don't know how old Scotty's mum is, but we've been trying to get our mums to parkrun for quite some time. And as part of this and like looking further into the barriers to participation for people in that age bracket, I'm hoping that we can have some learnings that we can finally get them across the line and, you know, scanning in a barcode at the end.

00:36:38Glen Turner: Yeah, absolutely. And I think there is the first major bit of this project will be doing a lot of listening on our behalf. So working closely with a lot of organisations and a lot of individuals who can start to help us to identify perhaps some of the barriers that we haven't considered in the past. And also looking at ways that we can introduce people and hold their hands to get involved with parkrun rather than just saying, oh, you should go along to your local event. You figure it out yourself. So there's an awful lot of insights that we need to do. And I think that's very much going to inform people. the later stages of our project. But I think, Mel, you're absolutely right. All of us have, in any capacity, the power to gently talk to people about parkrun and suggest they might like to come along and have a look, have a coffee or breakfast afterwards. You know, a really no-pressure, gentle introduction because, as you say, that can be the catalyst for somebody coming along and saying, look, this is something that I think is accessible, something that I'm going to enjoy doing and something that can have a positive impact on my own health. And ultimately, parkrun is about empowering people to take part in whatever way they feel comfortable, because the more comfortable they are, the more likely they are to turn it into a regular habit.

00:38:08Melissa Erbacher: Thanks for joining us again, Glen. It's great to have you back on the pod and to explain a bit more of the ins and outs of the exciting news of the grant funding that parkrun Australia has just been given by the federal government. We really appreciate your time. Hope to have you back again soon.

00:38:24Glen Turner: Thanks, Mel. It's been a pleasure.

00:38:26[13 seconds of audio that could not be transcribed]

Roving reports & the Channel 5 News crew

00:38:38Scott Trickett: We may have taken a few weeks off, but our Channel 5 News crew didn't. So we've got heaps of roving reports to catch up on.

00:38:45Melissa Erbacher: We've got TOC, who's at Wyndham Vale. Melissa Ellis was at Mansfield Botanic. Lyndell stopped in at South Toowoomba. And we've got Mark Scarborough making a play for the Channel 5 News crew by having consecutive reports over three, four different, no, three weeks at Burley Griffin, Huskisson and Studley parkruns.

00:39:07Scott Trickett: We can't wait to hear them, so let's get to them in that order.

Roving report Tony O'Connell and Melissa Ellis — Wyndham Vale

00:39:11Tony O'Connell: Howdy, parkrunners. It's Toc and... And Melissa. And we're down at the lovely Wyndham Vale today with Chantel. Chantel's run a couple of parkruns around Victoria, to be fair to say. I think today might be your 69th different parkrun.

00:39:24Chantelle: Correct.

00:39:25Tony O'Connell: And what would that make you, Chantel? turning statesman that would make you a statesman well done congratulations so it's been a bit of a long journey I can remember you turning up your first parkrun at Inverloch and uh you may not have had a barcode may not have recorded a time may have talked to a couple of crazies and got a little bit hooked on parkrun some weirdo mentioned that you plan your weekends you leave on a Friday you stay somewhere on a Friday night and then you have your weekend in that location TOC's just laughing because you may know who this weirdo might be Yeah, I may or may not resemble that weirdo. So tell me, you're finished today. You've done your statesman. What's the next goal?

00:39:27[laughter]

00:40:06Chantelle: Tuesday I'm volunteering at Inverloch.

00:40:08Tony O'Connell: Of course, naturally. It's the world's sunniest parkrun.

00:40:11Chantelle: So I've got to make sure my... In the greater state.

00:40:13Tony O'Connell: In the greater state.

00:40:14Chantelle: Yes, Mel, well, good pick up. I've got to just make sure my costume's on point or I will lose my volunteer job.

00:40:21Melissa Ellis: And Chantelle, out of all the parkruns in Victoria, have you got some memorable moments?

00:40:27Chantelle: They're all special. It's about the people you meet. So I say I've got four home parkruns, which is Inverloch, Lalor, Highlands and Mernda. But then there's others like Timboon, which was special because I met Mel's daughter Zoe at that one, and Cheryl and Mark.

00:40:43Melissa Ellis: Excuse me, what about me? I met you before then, darling.

00:40:46Chantelle: I met you before then. I don't know when I met you, but I met you before then. Because you were fine with letting Zoe go off with me.

00:40:54Melissa Ellis: I do that a lot, I palm her off.

00:40:57Tony O'Connell: Isn't it a wonderful thing about parkrun where you just let some random take your kids? As long as they're over 11, the kids are under 11.

00:41:05Chantelle: Are you talking about the fact that a four-year-old decided that I was the responsible adult for the day? Yeah, that'll be it.

00:41:12Melissa Ellis: And Chantelle, one thing that you're known for is your footwear.

00:41:15Chantelle: Maybe.

00:41:16Melissa Ellis: And what is it that you like to do when you parkrun?

00:41:20Chantelle: My shoes are different colours and it has been mentioned before by both of you guys that when I have appeared in matching shoes, that no, that's not acceptable.

00:41:31Tony O'Connell: At this point, I'd like to point out in this group of three, I'm the only one in matching footwear. I'm feeling a little bit uncomfortable and out of place here. I feel like I need to dress up a bit better.

00:41:42Chantelle: You did fantastic in your explorer outfit today.

00:41:46Melissa Ellis: Chantelle, I'd just like to thank you too, because I know in our journey of parkrunning in my family, you've been one to embrace everything. You got out there the other week for Zoe at Highlands. You supported Paul when he did his run as well. You changed plans to suit other people. You really have the spirit of parkrun. I'd just like to thank you very much from my family, and it's been wonderful getting to know you through parkrun. Thank you.

00:42:10Chantelle: My parkrun family is very important.

00:42:13Tony O'Connell: parkrun do become a big part of your family, don't they?

00:42:16Chantelle: They do. And I'll spend Christmas morning with Alcatoc.

00:42:20Tony O'Connell: Another part of the family. All right, guys, I reckon it's just about time to go and get some breakfast and a coffee. I've already got a coffee. Let's go and get another coffee.

00:42:28Chantelle: I was going to say, you always need two coffees, don't you?

00:42:31Tony O'Connell: Okay.

00:42:32Melissa Ellis: All right.

00:42:32Chantelle: Thanks.

00:42:32Melissa Ellis: Bye.

00:42:33Tony O'Connell: Cheers, guys, and congrats again. Thank you.

Roving report Melissa Ellis — Mansfield

00:42:35Tony O'Connell: Bye.

00:42:35Melissa Ellis: Good morning, parkrun adventurers. It's Melissa here, coming to you from the launch of Mansfield parkrun in Victoria, which we've just completed. And I had to search out this gentleman for a podcast interview because we're wearing matching singlets. Good morning, Michael.

00:42:50Michael: G'day. How are you doing?

00:42:51Melissa Ellis: I'm good. Now, you've clearly got on the ugly singlet today.

00:42:55Michael: I do, I do. Yeah, good investment.

00:42:58Melissa Ellis: It was. So, and you're not from around here?

00:43:00Michael: No, I'm from Canberra. I came for a little journey.

00:43:03Melissa Ellis: And you've done a few tourist runs, I believe?

00:43:06Michael: 41 other ones, so this is the 42nd out of 42 runs.

00:43:09Melissa Ellis: Congratulations. Where's your home parkrun?

00:43:11Michael: In Tuggeranong in the ACT. Lovely.

00:43:14Melissa Ellis: Are you doing any more parkruns while you're in Victoria?

00:43:17Michael: I might do a tourist run on the way home, so I might drop into Shepparton, maybe do a run there. We'll see how I go for time.

00:43:23Melissa Ellis: A freedom run?

00:43:24Michael: Absolutely.

00:43:24Melissa Ellis: Oh, yeah? They're good to grab when you can. And where are you next week?

00:43:29Michael: Out at Shellharbour, out Wollongong direction.

00:43:32Melissa Ellis: Oh, lovely.

00:43:33Michael: Catch up with my family out there, the cousin who introduced me to parkrunning.

00:43:37Melissa Ellis: Does he run at Shellharbour? She does, yeah.

00:43:38Michael: Yeah, she does.

00:43:39Melissa Ellis: That's good.

00:43:40Michael: Well, she's actually from Maitland, sorry, but family down there as well.

00:43:44Melissa Ellis: Yeah. We've got a few parkrun adventure friends from Shellharbour. You didn't come to the... Were you doing parkrun last year when we did the parkrun meet-up at Shellharbour?

00:43:55Michael: No, no, no.

00:43:57Melissa Ellis: Are you going to come to Newcastle?

00:43:59Michael: I will be doing it. I'll try to get to Beaches. I'll see how I go. Because I'll be there the week after in Newcastle anyway.

00:44:05Melissa Ellis: Fabulous. Okay. All right. Well, thanks very much for talking to me. It was good to meet you today.

00:44:09Michael: Yeah, you too. Thanks.

00:44:11Melissa Ellis: Okay. Now I'm with Lou and Ron, co-event Run Directors. Is that right? Yes. And how did Mansfield parkrun come to fruition?

00:44:22Lou: Well, it was a bit of a joint effort. We both had the same idea of bringing parkrun to Mansfield and I'd spoken to the sport and rec coordinator at the Shire and Ron had also spoken to him and so he actually put us together to say, why don't you make it a combination effort, I suppose. And then so we both got together and decided that that's what we wanted to do and we started the process.

00:44:47Melissa Ellis: Okay, has it taken long to get it up?

00:44:50Lou: Look, I think it has. The part that took the longest was probably getting the funded money together. And then from there it was the paperwork that Ron kindly put together. And then it was a pretty quick process after we had that up and happening.

00:45:06Ron: Very good. Part of the reason I wanted it was because I was driving to places like Lillydale Lake, parkrun... Euroa parkrun or Wangaratta parkrun and I kept thinking we should have one in Mansfield and that's when I went to the council and they put me in touch with Lou.

00:45:25Melissa Ellis: Yeah, there's a big gap isn't there?

00:45:27Ron: There is, yeah, yeah.

00:45:29Melissa Ellis: So that's great. And so you've been parkrunning for a while, right?

00:45:34Ron: Probably only, I think I'm only up to 20 runs, so it's probably just over a year or 18 months, yeah. But I enjoy it.

00:45:43Melissa Ellis: Yeah.

00:45:43Ron: It's good.

00:45:43Melissa Ellis: And you obviously live in the area?

00:45:46Ron: Now live in the area, retired to Mansfield six years ago, yep.

00:45:50Melissa Ellis: Wonderful. And Lou?

00:45:52Lou: So I've only done parkrun when I've been visiting somewhere. My first one, well, I've done a couple actually down in Port Fairy and I've done one over in Bright. So I haven't done a great deal, but I've always enjoyed them when I've gone there. It's a great way to see where you're visiting. I always look up parkrun when I'm going on holidays to see if there's one.

00:46:10Melissa Ellis: Excellent. Yeah. Tell us about your course.

00:46:13Lou: So Mansfield Botanic Gardens we're in, and obviously to get the 5Ks we do two laps. It starts off flat and windy, and then right in the middle we decided to include what we locals call as the zigzag, which is a nice switchback hill up and back.

00:46:33Ron: Some of us older folk don't think it's nice.

00:46:36Lou: That was my idea to put the hill in. But it mixes things up, and we actually do... obviously the circuit twice so um it's a great course it's out and back and so it's um I think it's good for camaraderie and morale too of people going around because you get to pass people and um it's really encouraging it definitely is now there's a big contingent of tourists come up today from Melbourne um but you'll probably get big numbers around tourist season Yeah, I think so.

00:47:02Melissa Ellis: You might settle down to what are you hoping?

00:47:05Lou: I would say so, probably March, March, April. It'll probably quieten down a bit. I'm not sure how we're going to go in winter, but that'll be interesting. See who's really determined in winter to be running, in our minus degrees, I suppose.

00:47:19Melissa Ellis: Might have to come up and do one of those.

00:47:21Lou: Yeah, yeah, so it'll be interesting. But, no, I think it'll be good to get some visitors when they're here for the weekend, but we do have a big active community, so I think it'll get good support week in, week out.

00:47:30Melissa Ellis: And that's really what it's about, isn't it? Totally. Getting the community spirit and getting the community out and active.

00:47:35Lou: Yeah.

00:47:36Melissa Ellis: Yeah, but you also have the benefit of you've got the ski season because you've got nearby...

00:47:40Lou: Yep.

00:47:41Melissa Ellis: Mountains. And then you've got the water skiing. The water. That's right.

00:47:44Lou: Yeah, we've got the best of both worlds. Yeah, yeah.

00:47:46Melissa Ellis: Not too far from Bonnie Doon.

00:47:47Lou: That's it.

00:47:49Melissa Ellis: All right. Well, congratulations today.

00:47:51Lou: Thank you.

00:47:52Melissa Ellis: How many do you think you've got here? Do you know? 250. Woohoo. Nice figures.

00:47:56Ron: Yeah, yeah. Nice. Well done. Lovely.

00:47:58Melissa Ellis: Beautiful park too. So thank you very much for talking to me. Thank you. Thank you so much. Bye.

00:48:02Ron: Bye-bye.

00:48:03Melissa Ellis: Just thought I'd add a potential accommodation if you are in the area touring to Mansfield. Mansfield has its own little zoo and you can camp on the grounds of the zoo. Overnight cost of camping per person includes the entry to the zoo the day you arrive and the day you leave. And you've got free rein to wander around. You can pick your own campsite. We camped in between the lion enclosure and the dingo enclosure, and it's a small zoo but it's a lovely experience especially if you've got little kids so he's absolutely loved it so I'm giving them a plug because they're very friendly and they've got quite a few animals there's some llamas there's some monkeys they've got a little community of meerkats that are very cute as well as your usual emus ostrich camel lots of deer yeah so give it a try if you're into a nice little relaxed overnight stay while you're in town doing your parkrun

Roving report Lyndell Murray — South Toowoomba

00:49:02Lyndell Murray: Good morning, parkrun adventurers. It's Lyndell, and I'm just doing a roving report light today. I've ventured up to South Toowoomba on the first parkrun of the regular season, and I've got Robbie, who's one of the Event Directors here. How are you going today, Robbie?

00:49:17Robbie: Good, Lyndell. Good, Dan. Thanks.

00:49:19Lyndell Murray: Now, first parkrun of the regular season here at South Toowoomba. How did it go today?

00:49:22Robbie: Yeah, it was a great turnout. We've gone probably close to 200 here today, but numbers aren't that important. It's probably the atmosphere that we try and bring to South Toowoomba that's the most important thing.

00:49:32Lyndell Murray: And you do that. Lots of high fives out on course today. Fantastic. Yeah. Now, I say it's the first parkrun of the regular season because you had a bit of a special event on New Year's Day this year. Can you tell us a little bit about that?

00:49:44Robbie: Well, it's become a bit of a habit. The last three years now, four years, we charter a coach. This year we had 56 or 57. Plus we had a couple of tag alongs. We had a couple of cars behind. And we ended up with 60, close to 65 or 66 parkrunners on tour.

00:50:02Lyndell Murray: Yep.

00:50:02Robbie: And we headed off to Redcliffe for the 6.30 parkrun. We boarded our bus at, we left at 20 past three.

00:50:08Lyndell Murray: 20 past three?

00:50:09Robbie: From this car park here.

00:50:11Lyndell Murray: Did you bother sleeping on New Year's Eve?

00:50:13Robbie: Well, I think I was up at two o'clock. Like, you worry so much about being late. And with parkrun, the bus can't be late.

00:50:19Mark Scarborough: Yes, no.

00:50:20Robbie: Because, like, if those parkrunners miss that getting scanned, like, you know, it's all over. But, no, everything comes to plan. And we've done a few now. And between Margie and myself and a couple of others, the planning's probably pretty well down pat. You still stress a little, though.

00:50:35Lyndell Murray: What are your stress points?

00:50:37Robbie: Getting everyone on the bus. Yes. Like, you know, you can't be late leaving. And you really rely on your parkruns that are hosting to really start on time. So because we've got so many of us, we need to be back on our bus and heading off to our next one. So there's a lot of things that hold up the day and that don't go to plan. But there's always a little bit of time built into hopefully saving our bacon.

00:50:59Lyndell Murray: Yes, it sounds like you've got the logistics down pat. So you went to Redcliffe and for the second run you went to?

00:51:06Robbie: We headed over to Petrie. Excellent. It's a nice trail, very shaded, which was really good because we found Redcliffe very hot along the Broadwater there. It was a hot morning. Petrie was awesome, great hosts. Both events had great hosts, actually. They really welcomed us and they get a bit blown away when we turn up at a coach.

00:51:25Unidentified speaker: LAUGHTER

00:51:26Lyndell Murray: So you surprised them on the day? You didn't pre-warn them?

00:51:30Robbie: Yeah, no, they were sworn to secrecy. They were sworn to secrecy. They were told that we'd be coming. But this year we actually did the Buses of Mystery tour. So no one actually really knew. There's a lot of guesses and a lot of people, you know, like would look at you and tell you where you're going and you'd have to give them a blank look and think, how did you work that out? But, you know, the 6.30 start at Redcliffe sort of gave it away a little bit because there's only two events starting at 6.30. But no, the mystery part was really exciting and there's a lot of people on the bus that were really excited that they're going on a mystery tour.

00:52:03Lyndell Murray: Yes.

00:52:04Robbie: So yeah, it was actually a lot of fun.

00:52:06Lyndell Murray: Excellent. And now the logistics are down pat. What about hosting and party games on the bus? Any shenanigans?

00:52:12Robbie: There's a lot that goes on on the bus on the way home that I probably can't reveal due to a few parkrun rules.

00:52:19Lyndell Murray: Okay, so what goes on the road stays on the road?

00:52:22Robbie: What goes on tour stays on tour.

00:52:23Lyndell Murray: Remains a mystery as such.

00:52:25Robbie: Remains a mystery, but we have an even bigger event coming up in 2020. We're going international.

00:52:31Lyndell Murray: International. Scotty and Mel... We've got to get on to this parkrun adventurers Mystery International Tour. No, no, it's no mystery. Tell us about your, Robbie, what's your plans?

00:52:43Robbie: we're heading to Bushy Park the home of parkrun yeah in 2020 so we're having an information night that'll be in early February and uh planning for that all starts yeah but we have a 2020 mystery tour for New Year's Day as well though yes well 2020 is a big year it is it is but we're really excited about going international we've probably got 30 odd people already that are looking at wanting to come with us yep so it's the bushy pilgrimage hey Yeah, the home of parkrun. We'll do two Saturdays. I'll run there one week and I hope to volunteer there the following Saturday. So tick off a couple of things on the bucket list.

00:53:16Lyndell Murray: Excellent. Well, thank you, Robbie. Now, South Toowoomba, as I said, nice vibe out on course. Lots of high fives. It's a lapped course here, so that probably helps.

00:53:25Robbie: Yeah, it does. Yeah, like we've got the first lap, we just go around the smaller park. Then we head up the next two, we go up to turn around and come back and around the path. Pretty flat. You've got a slight rise, but there's not much of a rise at all. But it's pretty... The laneway really emphasises what parkrunning is. You know, the high fives and people interacting with each other. You try and get everyone involved. There's not many people that don't get a high five from me.

00:53:51Lyndell Murray: No, it's great. It's wonderful. And the laneway is named after one of Toowoomba's running greats, Roger Gard. So obviously a special part of your parkrun.

00:54:01Robbie: Well, yeah, it was good that when Margie and I, we come up with this track, when in the planning stages that we could incorporate the Roger Gard Memorial Lane with everyone knows what's happened to Roger Gard with the plane crash and that and his wife. And they were synonymous with the Toowoomba parkrunners. No, sorry, not Toowoomba parkrunners, Toowoomba Road Runners. Yeah. So, yeah, no, it's good that we can incorporate a little bit of history into this. And it's probably, honestly, the laneway is probably the best part of our parkrun.

00:54:27Lyndell Murray: Yeah, it's beautiful.

00:54:28Robbie: Did you get any high fives yourself?

00:54:29Lyndell Murray: Yeah, I did. Yeah. Look, I'm a tourist here. No one knows who I am, but I got high fives too.

00:54:35Robbie: Oh, no, everyone knew who you were. Everyone knew who you were. I don't know about that. You stood out there and put your hand up from Bunyaville. That's Phil and Claire country.

00:54:43Lyndell Murray: Yeah, and, of course, Phil and Claire from Bunyaville came up to Toowoomba and were instrumental here.

00:54:47Robbie: They spent a couple of years here. They spent a couple of years here. And everyone got to know Phil and Claire. And we actually caught up with Phil at Petrie.

00:54:53Tony O'Connell: Yep. Yeah, yeah, yeah. He was there. Yeah.

00:54:56Robbie: So it's so good. And that's what we like about those tours. Like, Margie and I, the first year we ever toured was four years ago. We actually drove to Warwick and did Warwick and Stanthorpe in a car.

00:55:05Mark Scarborough: Yeah.

00:55:06Robbie: But there was people following us. And that's where the idea for the bus come from. And ever since then, we've toured on the bus on New Year's Day. And we did Gold Run on Coach as well.

00:55:17Lyndell Murray: The Gold Run at the Commonwealth Games.

00:55:19Robbie: That was another bus trip. And we did a Gundy's, their first birthday. That was another bus trip.

00:55:26Lyndell Murray: we used to do more bus trips before Margie and I become an EDs but now we're EDs we're really passionate about parkrun and we love to be here every week you'll need to find a couple of other adventurers in your community and get them organising some adventures for you so thank you very much for talking to me Robbie Scotty and Mel there you have it South Toowoomba the home of the parkrun adventurers I'm thinking they are roving all over the place thanks Robbie and we'll talk to you again another time

00:55:53Robbie: Thank you and thanks for visiting South Toowoomba parkrun.

Roving report Mark Scarborough — Burley Griffin

00:55:58Mark Scarborough: Good morning parkrun adventurers. This is Mark from Canberra and today I am at Burley Griffin parkrun which is in Yarralumla, Canberra located on the shores of Lake Burley Griffin and I'm here with Sally who is one of the Run Directors. Good morning.

00:56:13Sally: Good morning. How are you Mark?

00:56:14Mark Scarborough: I'm good thanks and today was actually a pretty big turnout for Burley Griffin.

00:56:18Sally: We did. You know, I haven't actually looked at the official numbers, but I think we've got over 300, maybe over 320.

00:56:24Mark Scarborough: Oh, I think you're over 350, to be honest.

00:56:27Sally: Oh, really?

00:56:28Mark Scarborough: Yeah.

00:56:28Sally: Great run directing, hey.

00:56:30Mark Scarborough: And there was actually quite a number of tourists as well today, a couple of people from the UK.

00:56:35Sally: Yeah, I think we had at least four groups from Edinburgh, Scotland, my very good friends, Charlie and Jason Sklenner, who are also from the UK, and, yeah, two other lots. So we've had a terrific turnout today with tourists.

00:56:47Mark Scarborough: Today was event number 136 and it started in June 2016. You actually started it as the Event Director.

00:56:55Sally: Yes, indeed. So two years ago we started off Burley Griffin parkrun. A group of runners and myself thought, wouldn't it be a nice idea to have an event here centrally in Canberra? So Gary Clark and I decided to look into it and here we are today, two years on.

00:57:12Mark Scarborough: And since then, you have passed the baton on as being the Event Director, but you're still involved as an RD. So how is that process going from being the Event Director and handing over the baton to Dave and the process there?

00:57:25Sally: Yeah. So after two years, I decided that and I had a fairly busy job. My day pay job was getting rather busy. So I thought, you know what? it's time to hand that baton on. So Dave Turner, who was the natural choice, was beyond excited to take on the new role. And yeah, he's doing a terrific job. And he started off, it was a natural choice to put Dave in the position because, I mean, he's a guy that used to be one of our first finishers and then, you know, subtly would go and sort all the tokens for us each event. So he then became a Run Director and then now he's our Event Director. So he's doing a terrific job.

00:58:01Mark Scarborough: That's good. And for our listeners, can you describe the Burley Griffin course?

00:58:06Sally: Yes, so we're an out-and-back course. We follow, basically, the line of Lake Burley Griffin, which is a beautiful centralised lake here in Canberra. You turn around at our halfway point and then pretty much come back the same way. We get pretty cold here in winter when our winds come off the lake, but all in all, it's a beautiful run. And, of course, today's one of our hotter days that we've had in a while. I think it's probably... What is the degrees currently at the moment? It's probably about... 28 degrees after a total yesterday of 40. I think everyone's not got any PBs today. But, yeah, it's a good course. Come along and come and visit us.

00:58:45Mark Scarborough: Yeah, it is a very picturesque course here in Canberra, so do come and check it out. And also it gives you a B for the Alphabet Challenge or if you're chasing the Staying Alive Challenge. So thanks for your time today, Sally, and we'll see you next time.

00:58:57Sally: Terrific. Thanks. See you.

Roving report Mark Scarborough — Huskisson

00:59:00Mark Scarborough: Hello parkrun adventurers, this is Mark from Canberra and today I'm here in the Shoalhaven of New South Wales at the Huskisson parkrun for their first birthday and I'm here with Event Director Russell. Good morning, how are you Russell? Yes, good morning, how are you going? Good, thank you. How's the first year been for Huskisson?

00:59:16Russell: It's been an amazing year. I think it's surprised everyone, the turnout that we get and the numbers that we get. This year we've had 7,844 runners over the year, which is a total of 39,220 kilometres of run or two and a half laps around Australia and a really great community here of parkrunners and volunteers and just a great place to come and have a run as well.

00:59:41Mark Scarborough: What prompted you to start Huskisson parkrun?

00:59:43Russell: So this event was started by a young girl, Yaz Lindenberg. I used to work with Yaz and she was sort of the person that got this up and running, the main event, and she brought me on board just before we launched last year. So I was here for the first birthday and sadly work's taken Yaz away, but I'm going to give all credit to her for this one. But as I said, an amazing parkrun, amazing community of people here that come out and help out each week.

01:00:09Mark Scarborough: And on average, how many people do you have turn up?

01:00:11Russell: On average, it's 160 a week, roughly. Our lowest number's been about 60. That was in the middle of winter. And on days like today, we're well past 200 today. I'm expecting sort of around 300, 350 today.

01:00:22Mark Scarborough: Yeah, big turnout, and there was also a lot of tourists like myself here today.

01:00:26Russell: Yeah, absolutely. The beautiful thing about Huskisson is it's a local tourist place and we do get a lot of visitors, which is awesome. People get to come down and see our course. A lot of overseas visitors as well. One guy from Poland today, which was great to see, to get out here and enjoy it.

01:00:41Mark Scarborough: And for the listeners, can you describe the course?

01:00:45Russell: Picturesque is the best word to describe the course. You come here and get a photo. As you leave the beautiful park here at Huskisson, we run down the pathway. There's a small hill, but that then leads down to the beach. And as you're running along the beach, you can generally see dolphins in there playing in the water. We then go off course for about a kilometre. We go through the beautiful Moona Moona Park. And again, really picturesque through there. And then we get back onto the path over the bridge at Moona Moona Creek. about another kilometre up and then we turn around and come back. So it's 2.5km up, 2.5km back. But relatively flat course, two small hills just to remind you that they're there. But yeah, other than that, great course, great place to be.

01:01:25Mark Scarborough: That's excellent. Well, thank you very much and congratulations on the first birthday and hopefully many more years to come.

01:01:31Russell: Awesome. Thank you, Mark. Thank you.

01:01:33Mark Scarborough: I'm now with Graeme, who's one of the most prolific volunteers at Huskisson parkrun. Good morning, Graeme. How are you?

01:01:39Graeme: Morning. Thank you.

01:01:41Mark Scarborough: So today's your 43rd volunteer role in the year for Huskisson parkrun. Well done.

01:01:46Graeme: Of course. Yes, it is the 43rd year.

01:01:50Mark Scarborough: And what's your motivation for volunteering here at parkrun?

01:01:53Graeme: Just the fun of the parkrun. Just heard it from a friend and decided to join in. And... I thought volunteering would be better than running at my age, so I thought that's what I do. I do the volunteering.

01:02:07Mark Scarborough: And what's your favourite volunteer role? Well, I normally do the turnaround.

01:02:11Graeme: Turnaround? Yeah, at the two and a half kilometre. You're the cheer person to send them back home? Yes, I am, yes. And if they try and pass me, they point it in the right direction. Very good. Well, thanks for volunteering and well done on that result.

01:02:26Unidentified speaker: Good.

Roving report Mark Scarborough — Studley

01:02:27Mark Scarborough: Hello parkrun adventurers and this is Mark from Canberra and I've come to Victoria today for my parkrun Tourism and picking up my S for the Alphabet Challenge. So here we're at Studley parkrun just outside the Melbourne city and going off the stats for last week events. This parkrun has done 154 events with an average number of 126.5 runners per week. I think there was definitely a lot more than that here today for the start of the new year. And I'm here with Sue and Adam. Good morning. How are you going?

01:03:00Sue: Good morning.

01:03:01Mark Scarborough: And Sue, what can you tell us about Studley parkrun?

01:03:04Sue: It's a lovely trail run along the Yarra. We get a lot of visitors, especially international visitors, come here because it's such a gorgeous, iconic Australian look with all the gum trees and the Yarra and everything. So yeah, it's lovely. It's not going to be your fastest parkrun though. It's got a few hills, a bit rough, but it's lovely.

01:03:21Mark Scarborough: Yeah, it is a bit of a different parkrun with a bit of trail running and a bridge to run across, which was really cool.

01:03:26Sue: Yes, a very bouncy bridge, yes.

01:03:28Mark Scarborough: Very scenic. And Adam, how long have you been coming to Studley for?

01:03:31Adam: I started at the very first one, so I've been coming here ever since. I think I've done over 100 Studley parkruns now, so quite a good course to keep it interesting with the wobbly bridge, a few hills here and there, a bit of dirt to run along, a few sticks and things to try and jump over and not trip over.

01:03:51Mark Scarborough: And where else have you run, Adam?

01:03:53Adam: I've done a few different ones. A couple of international ones, New Zealand. A few around Victoria. I think I've just made the most events list with 21, I think, now. Oh, fantastic. Starting to find some new ones.

01:04:06Mark Scarborough: Yeah, well done. And any favourites other than Studley?

01:04:10Adam: Oh, I can't. Never do favourites.

01:04:15Mark Scarborough: Any memorable occasions then?

01:04:17Adam: Oh, just about every week's memorable. The people you meet, the friends I've made through parkrun. Yeah, it's fantastic. It's the parkrun spirit there, isn't it?

01:04:25Sue: That's right. We try to keep this one pretty relaxed, so...

01:04:28Mark Scarborough: really everybody's welcome we have kids and dogs and families and walkers and runners and yeah it's just a really lovely community relaxed event one of the things I liked here was the um the touch with the cowbell at the end for people who've done done done a PB I think that's that's a really good touch yes yeah yeah it is lots of fun yeah we get lots of woohoo if you get a part if you get a PB so that's good all right well thank you very much for your time guys all right thanks see you around I'm here with some uh other parkrunners who've come down from the gold coast hello bill and jody

01:04:56guest: Hello. Hello.

01:04:57Mark Scarborough: So how many parkruns have you guys done so far?

01:05:01Unidentified speaker: This is number six.

01:05:02Mark Scarborough: Number six. Number six.

01:05:04Unidentified speaker: Well done.

01:05:06Mark Scarborough: Six in a row. Well done. And how many different parkrun events have you been to?

01:05:11guest: Four. Canberra, Gungahlin, Gold Coast, Broadwater, Sunshine Coast and here today in Melbourne.

01:05:20Mark Scarborough: That's not bad. A couple of different events for people who've only done six parkruns. And what got you started in the parkrun?

01:05:27guest: Oh, some mates that need a punch in the arm. No, it's... You? We did it by chance to support a mate on his 40th and we were warned it was addictive. We had no idea how addictive it is. So we've literally just finished number six and already planning number seven. So it's good.

01:05:45Mark Scarborough: It's good. Excellent. So enjoying the parkrun experience and getting into the tourism side as well?

01:05:51guest: Absolutely, absolutely. I'm still bummed that my kids beat me every week, but at least this week this is one run up on them because they're at home in bed or watching YouTube or something, no doubt.

01:06:02Mark Scarborough: Very good. All right, well, thanks very much and I hope you enjoyed Studley. We did. Thanks for having us.

01:06:06Melissa Erbacher: Thank you.

Launches and anniversaries"Where is the cake?"

01:06:07Melissa Erbacher: Well, Scotty, we missed a few anniversaries and a launch or so in January as well. So shout out to all those events who had anniversaries in the first month. And congratulations to the team at KM Reedy Reserve who launched parkrun there on the 12th of January. That was a bit special. They had KM Reedy himself show up to check out what this parkrun gig was all about.

01:06:34Scott Trickett: And just the weekend gone, we had Mildura Weir in the Greater State launching alongside one of the coolest new parkrun names, Yowie parkrun.

01:06:45Melissa Erbacher: In Queensland. So well done to those event teams as well for getting the New Year started off in the right way, bringing parkrun to your communities. Now, we don't have any launches this coming weekend, Scotty. However, we do have a few anniversaries. Shall we run through those?

01:07:05Scott Trickett: Let's go. Golden Beach in Queensland.

01:07:08Melissa Erbacher: Goulburn in New South Wales. Ipswich in Queensland. Lake Mac, also in New South Wales.

01:07:15Scott Trickett: Moora in WA.

01:07:17Melissa Erbacher: And Nhill in Victoria.

01:07:20Scott Trickett: Well done. You got Nhill right. Do you reckon I got Moora right? I think I did.

01:07:23Melissa Erbacher: I think you were close. Moora? Moora.

01:07:26Scott Trickett: It's not going to be Moora, is it?

01:07:28Melissa Erbacher: I'm not sure. It's M-O-O-R-A. These things shouldn't be difficult, should they?

01:07:37Scott Trickett: Anyway, happy anniversary to those events.

Summer Time Travelling Series

01:07:40Scott Trickett: Now, as we've stated, we were away for a long time and we got to a lot of different events. So what we're going to do is we're going to launch a new segment for the next couple of weeks. This is going to be our summer travel series, Mel.

01:07:54Melissa Erbacher: Our time travel series.

01:07:55Scott Trickett: Time travel series, where we go back in time and revisit that wonderful weekend where we went and explored a new parkrun. So should we kick it off?

01:08:03Melissa Erbacher: We should. And in the case of the festive season, we get to knock two events off in a single kind of week period. So we'll start off with a double, won't we?

01:08:14Scott Trickett: Hang on. I've got music. I've got theme music to introduce a new segment. So...

01:08:18[music]

01:08:22Melissa Erbacher: All right, Scotty, love the music. We didn't mention in the intro that we also have brand new intro music, very 80s, very dancey, or it makes me want to do something. I don't know, watch old 80s movies or something. But the new music here for the new segment is about time travelling. So where were you back on the 22nd of December, Scotty?

01:08:47Scott Trickett: Remember, we started this episode with my quest to join the Alphabet Club. It went back to December when we visited Ocean Grove in search of our O. But it was also, it was their last event before they had to close down over summer. So we thought it was a good opportunity to get together with the local community, send them off, commiserate that they're going to have to shut down for a few weeks, which they weren't happy about. And I'm with them. They shouldn't be happy about it. But we got our O at Ocean Grove. We got to debut the Ugly Christmas Singlets, the whole Trickett clan. So there were three of us.

01:09:25Melissa Erbacher: Oh, nice.

01:09:26Scott Trickett: It was an assault times three.

01:09:29Melissa Erbacher: Tell me, how does Kasia feel about wearing the same clothing as her parents? Yeah.

01:09:34Scott Trickett: We've only got her for a few more years.

01:09:36Melissa Erbacher: She loves it.

01:09:38Sally: Excellent.

01:09:39Scott Trickett: She loves it. And even on Saturday at Queen's Domain, we were all kitted out, and Kasia was very passionate that she had to wear her Westerfoldian green. She's not a slave for fashion. She's a passionate Westerfoldian, and she's a passionate parkrun adventurer. So she got a little kid's ugly Christmas sweater that looks very cute, and we got lots of comments. So over the Christmas season, January holiday season, I seem to do a lot of parkrun walking with Kasia. And that's what we did at Ocean Grove. Mummy's turned into a pretty hardcore runner these days. She got new shoes and she's out smashing at parkruns. So Kasia and I walked Ocean Grove.

01:10:19Melissa Erbacher: Cool. What was the course like?

01:10:22Scott Trickett: It was actually pretty good. It was one of those out and backs, out and back. So start at one point, go out for a kilometre, run back, To the start point and then run out again for about 500 metres.

01:10:32Melissa Erbacher: Oh, so an out-and-back that starts in the middle is what you mean. Yeah. Yeah, yep.

01:10:35Scott Trickett: Yeah. But we all commented that it goes really quickly. You get to see people a lot. Yvonne liked it. Kasia liked it. It was along the water.

01:10:44Melissa Erbacher: Awesome.

01:10:45Scott Trickett: It was lovely.

01:10:46Melissa Erbacher: Lovely.

01:10:47Scott Trickett: Big tick for Ocean Grove. If you want to get your O and you're anywhere in the greater state, head along. But that weekend, so it wasn't all about Saturday, because that weekend we did Christmas Day parkrun. So take us back, Mel.

01:10:59Melissa Erbacher: No, well, I haven't talked about my 22nd. So why don't you talk about your 25th and then we can go revisit all my events.

01:11:07Scott Trickett: Okay, well, quickly, back at home at Westerfolds, traditional Christmas Day parkrun. Great day, tinged with a little bit of sadness for me that we won't go into, but Buster's had a bit of trouble. He was in the hospital, and I had to leave him in the hospital overnight on Christmas morning. So I was a bit tired on Christmas Day parkrun. I was a bit sad. I was missing my best mate. It did allow us to take Champy along, and he got really festive on Christmas Day morning, but... What was and what is one of the greatest parkrun days of the year, Christmas Day parkrun, back at home at the Folds. I couldn't embrace it this year because my little buddy.

01:11:43Melissa Erbacher: He's at home with you now, though.

01:11:45Scott Trickett: He is. He is. He's back sitting next to me right now snoring. So that's good. Awesome.

01:11:49Melissa Erbacher: Well, on the 22nd of December, I was at Kawana volunteering. Ironically, it was the last week for us too. Like you mentioned, it was the last week that Ocean Grove was on their course before they had to cancel for a period of time. over the summer season. Well, it was the last week for us on our regular course before we switched to the beach course. Too much mixed reactions. We'll go into that next week when we revisit the – The week that follows. But it was our Christmas-themed parkrun on that date because we didn't actually have a Christmas Day parkrun at Kawana. And so, it was the first outing for my Ugly Christmas Singlet also. I got some sort of mixed reactions. I'm pleased to say that there was another person there who's a parkrun adventurer and was wearing a singlet that she had also got. So… I got my photo taken with Dottie, as you do, because, you know, Ugly Christmas Singlets unite. But, yeah, a lot of the regulars came up to me, and I was volunteering, so I actually had my volunteer vest over it for most of the event. And, yeah, I got a lot of, oh, is that it comments, as in about my outfit in general, not about the singlet per se, but about the fact that I wasn't dressed as, you know, a giant snowman with fairy lights or, you know, National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation's house. You know, I have raised, I guess, the bar over the years with what somebody might deem to be an appropriate Christmas outfit at parkrun. And I think I disappointed quite a few parkrunners this year because I didn't go all out. So that was a bit, yeah, mixed reactions. That was a bit different for me.

01:13:49Scott Trickett: Well, you had me a little worried there for a bit, Mel. I thought people were going meh.

01:13:53Melissa Erbacher: People were impressed with the singlets, but they were just generally underwhelmed that I wasn't more sparkly and shiny and elaborate. But that's okay. On Christmas Day parkrun, the singlet got another outing, and just like you and Kasia and Vonnie running around as a group, my brother and sister-in-law also got the singlets. So there were three of us, and – We all participated together, so that was very cool, and we got lots of comments about the singlets. Complimentary, and where did you get them, and how can you order them, and all that sort of thing, which we should probably mention, Scotty. Can't do it. There will never be a repeat order available of these.

01:14:40Scott Trickett: Yeah, we had requests, didn't we? Yeah, people wanted them, and I stood firm. I feel that...

01:14:47Melissa Erbacher: I waved it a little bit.

01:14:49Scott Trickett: You did. We gave you an opportunity. We said this was a once-in-a-lifetime unique experience, purchasing, buying experience. And if you didn't take that opportunity...

01:15:00Melissa Erbacher: So that's all the group who's got the singlets. You can feel safe in the knowledge that they're going to be exclusive and never to be repeated, and you are part of a very... elite crowd however everybody else who wanted to get them after the fact you can feel safe in the knowledge that I barracked for you and Scotty talked me down

01:15:24Scott Trickett: Ego, ego, starting the narrative. People's champion. Mel's the good guy, I'm the bad guy. But no, we warned them. And look, there's going to be another opportunity. There is, there is. It was a success. We're going to do it again. And I'm looking forward to our design for 2019, Ugly Christmas Sweaters, that we're going to get out way earlier so people have got plenty of time to contemplate the purchase. Absolutely.

01:15:49Melissa Erbacher: Plus there's going to be doggy bandanas this year.

01:15:53Scott Trickett: Matching doggy bandanas.

01:15:54Melissa Erbacher: No, we haven't, but that's happening. Okay. Yeah, Rocks Riverside though, my first outing at Rocks Riverside parkrun and it was a massive turnout for Christmas Day. The wonderful Christmas Day spirit was there and everyone was in just the best mood and it was a great course. It was very shady and I had a really good time. I think, was it... Did I have Wes in the pram? I did. I think I had Wes in the pram and I think that was the last time I'm going to have him in the pram for a while because I just go way too slow for him and he can't cope. But, yeah, beautiful, beautiful morning with family and catching up with some others that we bumped into as well, familiar faces from the parkrun world, which was nice too. So, great event.

01:16:49Scott Trickett: It's a big event, Old Rocks Riverside, isn't it? They get a lot of people.

01:16:52Melissa Erbacher: They do. They get some decent numbers. If I recall correctly as well, I think I managed to get – well, it was quite a high one for my Wilson Index, but that's okay. I didn't snaffle a parkrun time bingo, but I'm still working on that still.

01:17:16Scott Trickett: Okay, well, that's Episode 1 of the Summer Time Travelling Series. Tune in next week where we discuss December 29th and New Year's Day parkruns.

01:17:29Melissa Erbacher: Three for the price of one. Well, three for the price of two.

01:17:37Scott Trickett: Hey, Mel, it's good to be back, even though we're doing this for the third or fourth time. I think this is a keeper.

01:17:44Melissa Erbacher: Oh, I hope it's a keeper. Time is of the essence these days, Scotty, and I think we might be losing listeners in the wait. And we should say to everybody, thank you so much for your patience. We hope you took the opportunity to catch up on any episodes that you might have been falling behind with in the silly season and also listening to all our podcasts

01:18:07Scott Trickett: co-podcasters out there who do parkrun podcasts to keep up with the world of parkrun while we were out of the world of parkrun podcasting yeah here's something I haven't shared with you Mel so you say we've lost listeners and this will be great for our friends Danny and Nicola the last episode we did 143 our Christmas episode with the guys from with me now was our most downloaded episode ever

01:18:32Melissa Erbacher: Ever. That's nice.

01:18:34Scott Trickett: Yeah. It obviously was shared a lot. Lots of our UK family tuned in. Awesome. I know. Bigger than PSH. Bigger than Episode 1. What about a couple of other big ones we've had? Deek was a big one. Julian Spence this year was a massive download for us. But nothing competes with the power of With Me Now. Or is it nothing competes with the power of us singing?

01:18:57Melissa Erbacher: Total Eclipse of the Heart.

01:18:59Scott Trickett: Bloody good song.

01:19:01Melissa Erbacher: Wow. You know, that actually really brings me a lot of joy that that episode is the most downloaded because so many people have been able to listen to us sing.

01:19:12Scott Trickett: Yeah.

01:19:12Melissa Erbacher: Gosh, that pressure though. Seriously, first episode back. Maybe that's why subconsciously, I mean, I didn't know the numbers, but subconsciously maybe… Maybe that's been a bit of an inhibitor to us coming back and being such perfectionists with having to go and another record and another record.

01:19:30Scott Trickett: Yeah, well, we're going to try new things every year. This year, we're going to not sing for the outro.

01:19:40Melissa Erbacher: I am not on board with that. We'll have to discuss that further later in the year, I think. Don't make any promises you can't keep, Scotty. But, hey, you know what I'm looking forward to? Like we have, yes, we're going to be doing some different things on the pod this year and there's going to be lots of fun, lots of new adventures and stuff like that. But also palm19 is not too far away.

01:20:02Scott Trickett: It's getting a bit too close, Mel.

01:20:03Melissa Erbacher: No, not too close. Well, we need to organise some stuff.

01:20:06Scott Trickett: Well, yeah, we do need to organise some stuff. We need to book some flights and some accommodation.

01:20:10Melissa Erbacher: I've got flights. I don't have accommodation. But all good things come to those who organise them. So we'll get on top of that. And I do know that there's quite a few people who've already booked accommodation and flights and things. So it's going to be a good rabble this year. Yeah.

01:20:31Scott Trickett: very excited about heading to The Beaches parkrun it's going to be high tide full disclosure so we're going to yeah now you've checked that now how accurate is that no no I'm not an expert in the nautical stuff and all that tides and whatever even though I was a surf lifesaver back in the day Mel did you know that little known fact I did know that you haven't mentioned it once or twice I think have I I'm pretty proud of it it's good you still have the little hat No, I don't have the hat. I've still got the T-shirt.

01:20:59Melissa Erbacher: Oh, okay.

01:20:59Scott Trickett: I still wear it on occasion. But can that change? Can the tides change or is that just locked in?

01:21:06Melissa Erbacher: No, that's pretty much set. It's all got to do with the astronomy, like the moon affects the tides and all that sort of stuff. And I'm pretty sure that the astronomers all know what the planets are doing and how they're going to impact us here.

01:21:20Scott Trickett: High tide, which means it's going to be hard.

01:21:22Melissa Erbacher: Yeah, well, we're going to get to experience in all its beautiful glory. I'm very excited about that. I'm glad it's not just sort of middle tide or low tide.

01:21:31Scott Trickett: Yeah, but if we run, even if it's high tide and we run really close to the water… Doesn't that make it easier? Like wherever the water is, the sand's pretty firm.

01:21:46Melissa Erbacher: I've got recent experience with sand at high tide near water, Scotty, and no, your assertions are all incorrect. But it's all part of the challenge. It's all part of the adventure. So it's going to make it extra fun.

01:22:01Scott Trickett: That's a shame. I've been practicing beach running over the summer.

01:22:05Melissa Erbacher: Oh, wow.

01:22:06Scott Trickett: I was gearing up for a PB.

01:22:08Melissa Erbacher: Well, that's okay. You can gear up for a PB. It'll be a course PB.

Sign-off

01:22:12Scott Trickett: Yeah, good point. Good point. Let's wrap up this week, Mel. 144 is in the books. Already looking forward to 145 or maybe even 113, if we ever get back to that one. Oh, we will, we will. We will.