Episode 269 - Criminal Intent

Welcome

00:00:23Oliver Spake: Welcome to episode 269 of the parkrun adventurers podcast. I am Ollie Spake and I'm joining this week from Dharawal land.

00:00:33Melissa Ellis: And my name is Melissa Ellis and I'm coming to you from Wurundjeri land.

00:00:39Oliver Spake: Welcome Mel.

00:00:40Melissa Ellis: Thank you Ollie. You had a big adventure this week from all accounts on social media.

00:00:47Oliver Spake: It was a little different to the average Saturday.

00:00:49Melissa Ellis: Would you like to tell the listeners how so? If they haven't already seen, because we have splashed it. We have splashed it around. Shamelessly.

00:01:00Oliver Spake: That's all right. That's right. That's half the fun. Yes, Mel, look, my parkrun day was a real highlight, which is a bit ironic because it began with a bag over my head. Once I got over that trauma of my abduction, thank you, Mr Chris Fraser and everyone behind the scenes, I was able to take in what was a pretty humid but well-supported Wentworth Common parkrun. So I made it up there for event number two.

00:01:27Melissa Ellis: Yay! We should have done a drum roll.

00:01:33Oliver Spake: A drum roll. Missed the opportunity. That's all right.

00:01:36Melissa Ellis: We'll have it later.

00:01:37Oliver Spake: I think we've shouted it from the rooftops enough, so it probably wasn't that element of suspense in our corner there. Mel, that was a big achievement for me personally. I've been waiting for a long time to do a number two. And as it stood, that was also my 30th parkrun. So, yeah, a humble little 30, but finally ticked over into the next decade of parkrun tourism.

00:02:05Melissa Ellis: Do you mean 30th unique event?

00:02:08Oliver Spake: That's correct. Yes. Yeah.

00:02:10Melissa Ellis: Well done.

00:02:11Unidentified speaker: Yeah.

00:02:14Oliver Spake: But it was lovely. The team were lovely, very welcoming, and certainly still seeing a great contingent of visitors to the Budding parkrun. It was my first parkrun since May, I think it was, at Bowral.

00:02:27Melissa Ellis: What? What, that you actually ran?

00:02:30Oliver Spake: Yes, that was my first recorded parkrun since Bowral in May. So yet to make it back to Shellharbour for a run. But it was still, as I said, a highlight. I'm also very proud to say I managed to achieve my goal of a fast finish. I wasn't quite sure of delivering on a little bit of peer pressure I invited on myself by promising a time to the event team, after a few weeks of very low kilometres, injured ankles and stubbed toes and all those wonderful things. But yeah, guess what? I managed. So yeah, quite chuffed.

00:03:04Melissa Ellis: I did say you had a top 10 finish, not that I stalked the results or anything.

00:03:08Oliver Spake: Who's stalking?

00:03:10Melissa Ellis: I am the master.

00:03:12Oliver Spake: And that was because I volunteered. I saw that they needed a couple of Barcode Scanners and very conveniently they were seeking some options that might finish in time. So I got the chance to also barcode scan and enjoy barcode scanning alongside a first-time volunteer. So I got to get one of my other favourite parts out of a parkrun day still whilst on the road.

00:03:35Melissa Ellis: I did notice that you in the photos in a volunteer vest and my heart skipped a little beat. What has he done? Has he not ran?

00:03:44Oliver Spake: And I mean, the listeners won't know this, Mel, but you have been programming this and the flow chart you've developed. It was impressive and very, very accurate. But I'm proud to say I found a way to break it.

00:03:59Melissa Ellis: Really?

00:03:59Oliver Spake: I volunteered. Oh, you did? Yeah, we're going to have to edit that flowchart. It's a decision tree. We'll share it one day. But anyway.

00:04:08Melissa Ellis: If you can recreate it in, like, nice graphics rather than my hand-drawn version, that would be great.

00:04:17Oliver Spake: There's nothing wrong with handwriting. I thought it was very presentable. And otherwise perfectly accurate. But yeah, I found the loophole. But it was a lovely parkrun. It's within the Sydney Olympic Park precinct. And Sydney Olympic Park, for those that don't know, is on the traditional lands of the Wan clan or Wan clan, known as the Wangal. The course itself, is along pathways that run around the edge of the park, wooded areas near waterways. But it does pop out near what I think is appropriately called at the moment Qudos Bank Arena, which was the basketball one of the stadiums there for a little stretch there. And it's pretty much an out and back, but it's got what I think Alison called a lollipop.

00:04:58Unidentified speaker: Mm-hmm.

00:04:58Oliver Spake: at the start and a little at the finish. I like that term, so I'm going to steal that. But, Mel, it was really surprisingly undulating. I wasn't prepared for that. There were 49 metres of elevation. I had to go back and check that. So, yeah, definitely a challenge.

00:05:14Melissa Ellis: Well, not a problem for you Shellharbour people, surely.

00:05:18Oliver Spake: Yeah, it's somewhere there in the legs. And yeah, while I'm on the experience, I did get also to chat to some familiar faces. So hello to Barbara and Lynn. It was lovely to get to chat with you. And also Samantha and Catherine from the, well, I guess we'd call it the region of runners up there in New South Wales. And I met fellow number two, Terry. So, yeah, lots of familiar faces and I'm very proud to say that I'm no longer part of the constipation club.

00:05:50Melissa Ellis: I didn't know there was such a thing. You just invented that, didn't you?

00:05:55Oliver Spake: Maybe, maybe. But I have to come clean. There were two significant disappointments with the day, Mel.

00:06:02Melissa Ellis: Oh, yes.

00:06:03Oliver Spake: The first one, I did travel with Chris Fraser.

00:06:07Melissa Ellis: Right.

00:06:08Oliver Spake: We did stop for coffee.

00:06:10Unidentified speaker: Oh!

00:06:10Oliver Spake: There were no sausage rolls.

00:06:12Unidentified speaker: What?

00:06:13Unidentified speaker: What?

00:06:14Oliver Spake: We managed to pick a place with no sausage rolls. So I missed out on that experience. And the second disappointment is me.

00:06:23Melissa Ellis: You?

00:06:23Oliver Spake: I broke the cardinal rule. I walked off with half the finish tokens.

00:06:28Unidentified speaker: What?

00:06:31Melissa Ellis: You tried to steal the finished tokens.

00:06:33Oliver Spake: Yeah, I tried to steal half the finished tokens.

00:06:35Melissa Ellis: Oh, my goodness.

00:06:36Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:06:37Melissa Ellis: Such an amateur.

00:06:39Oliver Spake: So I'm a bit out of practice, but a lot of fun.

00:06:42Melissa Ellis: What happened? Did they call you back? Excuse me.

00:06:46Oliver Spake: No, I went back with my tail between my legs. Plenty of witnesses. So I had to come clean because I know I would be called out. And, yeah, one job.

00:06:58Melissa Ellis: So you just thought you were taking them home to wash them and have them ready for next week as per regular programming?

00:07:04Oliver Spake: That's the thing. I don't even take the finish tokens home at Shellharbour. We've got Chapo. Chapo does it every week. I don't know what it was. It was just hanging on to something. Yeah.

00:07:13Melissa Ellis: Oh, you were out of sorts. You were out of your environment, Ollie. You didn't know what you were doing. Goodness me.

00:07:20Oliver Spake: Again, I did turn up with a bag over my head. So yes, it was very unfamiliar.

00:07:24Melissa Ellis: But we should give a shout out to Chris. Yes. Who filmed the whole event.

00:07:29Oliver Spake: He did.

00:07:30Melissa Ellis: Of your kidnapping?

00:07:31Oliver Spake: Yeah. I think that's what we call evidence, but yeah.

00:07:36Melissa Ellis: We shared that on our adventurers page, and it's also been shared to the Aussie parkrun Tourism page. And good work, Chris. That was very amusing and good content, and we really appreciated you putting that together.

00:07:49Oliver Spake: Yes. That's why he's the creative director.

00:07:51Melissa Ellis: Correct.

00:07:53Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:07:53Melissa Ellis: I'm just the ideas person. Hang on a minute. I actually have to say I'm not really keen on being referred to as Big Mama.

00:08:03Oliver Spake: Sorry, Mel.

00:08:05Melissa Ellis: Was that your idea?

00:08:06Oliver Spake: No, no. Sorry, Chris. That's okay. You're obviously in the headquarters. It's a headquarters term. Right.

00:08:16Unidentified speaker: Yeah. Okay. Okay.

00:08:19Oliver Spake: Oh, dear.

00:08:20Melissa Ellis: I'll have to wise him up on some better terminology, some radio talk.

00:08:25Oliver Spake: Okay, yeah. I'll be sure to reinforce the appropriate terms. But, Mel, I'm detracting because, of course, the weekend was a slightly more significant event. Should we go to Sunday? How was juniors? Oh, well, are we skipping past my sat day? I didn't mean to. Let's do Saturday first. Sure.

00:08:47Melissa Ellis: We can. We can do it backwards. I don't mind.

00:08:50Oliver Spake: No, that's all right. Saturday first.

00:08:54Melissa Ellis: Well, this week, Ollie, I visited Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve parkrun, the longest name in the world of parkruns, for event two.

00:09:04Oliver Spake: Is this where I apologise once again?

00:09:06Melissa Ellis: Oh, yes. I'm waiting.

00:09:09Oliver Spake: I do retract my confidence statement last week and apologise for all offence caused.

00:09:17Melissa Ellis: Apology accepted. Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve parkrun is held on the land of the Bunurong people. And it was event two and my 12th number two. This event is in the suburb of Frankston South, 43 kilometres southeast of Melbourne, and is a hilly one-lap course on a gravel trail around the main access trail of Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve with views of the bay at the highest point. The event starts a short distance from the main car park but there are no toilets at this event and unfortunately no dogs are allowed. I joined 149 finishers including fellow Victorian tourists Irene and Parth Bumacanti, Tony, Jacqui and Dan O'Connell, Stephen Helen Davis, Dawn Branton, Rhianna Wick Gamble, Sam Esmore and Nadine and Ian Crawford. I was joined there by my sister Cassie and ran the course with her and Helen, missing my final remaining bingo number by one second.

00:10:23Unidentified speaker: Oh.

00:10:24Melissa Ellis: Ouch. I chose not to attend the post-parkrun brunch, opting instead to grab a takeaway coffee for a beach walk in nearby Chelsea with Cassie. So that's my Saturday in a nutshell. Sounds lovely. And what a gang. Yes. More of that later.

00:10:40Oliver Spake: Okay. Okay.

00:10:43Melissa Ellis: But, Ollie, Sunday. Sunday was Eynesbury Heritage Trail Junior's first birthday and celebrated with a dress-up theme encouraging everyone to come along dressed as their favourite character. The grown-ups definitely enjoyed this excuse as superheroes and pirates were very well represented. I'm sad to report the puddle was dry, but that didn't affect the interest in Jemima Puddle Duck, who was sporting her party hat and closely monitored by Pirate Jake. We even had special guest visitors in Brendan Peel and Jodie Mazie, who came out to experience the Eynesbury fun. Also visiting were a few Westerfolds Juniors regulars coming out to check our course during the holidays.

00:11:26Oliver Spake: That sounds like a great morning. So costumes, Mel, what did we go as again?

00:11:32Melissa Ellis: Well, I was a butterfly. Yes. Excellent. I'd been eyeing off the butterfly costume, just waiting for an excuse to buy it.

00:11:42Oliver Spake: Yep, yep.

00:11:43Melissa Ellis: And this just seemed the right time. As mentioned last week, my plan had been to be a cupcake. Yes. To bring out the cupcake costume from the previous palm. I did not do that.

00:11:54Oliver Spake: No, it didn't resonate.

00:11:56Melissa Ellis: No. Well, it just so happened that during the week I had taken Zoe down to pick up some school uniform from the school uniform shop, which happens to be adjacent to the local spotlight. And when we arrived, Zoe said, oh, mum, that's the shop with the butterfly costume. Yeah. Because the previous time we'd gone to look at the school uniform, we'd gone into Spotlight and I'd admired it and ummed and aahed over buying it, you see.

00:12:28Oliver Spake: Yes, yes.

00:12:29Melissa Ellis: It's Zoe's fault.

00:12:31Oliver Spake: Good work, Zoe. Red rag to a bull. Yeah. Happy birthday, Eynesbury.

00:12:37Melissa Ellis: Thank you. So Event 28 was our first birthday. Yeah. So we're a little behind, but we're forging along and we are building our little team. We have an amazing group of volunteers. I think the adults have more fun than the kids do, just quietly.

00:12:55Oliver Spake: And that's the way it should be. The kids shouldn't have all the fun, clearly. But then I suppose we do get Saturday with a heavy adult focus as well. I think I'm going to have to experience juniors one day at Eynesbury. I don't know when, Mel, hopefully this year, but if I could make it a fancy dress one, that would be pretty cool too.

00:13:14Melissa Ellis: Oh, just let me know when you're coming. I'll arrange that. I know the ED.

00:13:18Oliver Spake: That's quite okay. It's funny, the numbers. Do you ever remember, I'm not sure if you would have felt the same numerical frustration, but the fact that we go nicely up by increments of very close to 50 per year of parkruns. So, you know, the 50th would line up with the anniversary and then the 100th would be just that little bit further away. Yeah, that's all out the window now, isn't it?

00:13:42Melissa Ellis: Absolutely. But, yeah, no, we're happy with our 28 events and since we've returned from our most recent pause, we're trying hard to build our event but also reach out to the local community to gain awareness that we exist.

00:13:57Oliver Spake: Yeah.

00:13:58Melissa Ellis: And encourage more people to come along. But, Ollie, it's hard. It's worth noting with Australia recently opening up and it's been termed letting COVID rip Australia, Our COVID numbers have increased dramatically. So there's probably a lot of people out there who can't attend because they've got COVID or there are people isolating or there are people just a bit nervous about going out and doing events for the risk. So it's all kind of new here. We're a bit behind other countries in that respect.

00:14:32Oliver Spake: Well, that's right. I wholeheartedly agree. All of the above is what so many of us are going through right now. And certainly the heart goes out and best wishes and a whole lot of love goes out to anyone that is feeling unwell experiencing COVID because there's so many more of us now that are going through that or have loved ones going through that. All right. Obviously, it's not a new thing, but as you say, for us, it really has changed significantly in that last month. And I think to our friends in WA, I mean, they're starting to have a few more cases as well, although they're markedly different from the rest of the country in Australia in the prevalence of cases and in terms of access across borders as well. So we're all moving at slightly different phases, timing. Mm-hmm. doesn't necessarily make it easier for anyone. And, you know, I think a huge shout out to everyone that is supporting and volunteering at the moment. I absolutely think that last week was the week I have seen the single most number of parkrun events calling out for volunteers close to parkrun day. And it's understandably difficult. Yeah, because of that complexity. He's hoping everyone's feeling well soon.

00:15:46Melissa Ellis: 100% agree with all those sentiments, Ollie.

Roving reports & the Channel 5 News crew

00:15:48Melissa Ellis: But now perhaps time to throw to this week's roving reports a couple of our favourites have dropped reports. So let's have a listen to those.

Roving reports & the Channel 5 News crew

Roving report Lyndell Murray — Baringa parkrun

00:16:08Lyndell Murray: G'day parkrun adventurers. It's Lyndell checking in from Baringa parkrun for the Channel 5 News crew and I have got... Christina.

00:16:16Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: And you are... Run Director at Baringa. Excellent. Are you also the Event Director? No, that's Steve's job. Okay, and Steve's not here. Steve is not. He is not here today, no. He's taking a break. I guess everybody deserves a rest, right? All right, so Baringa parkrun. I had a lovely time out there today. It's a really nice course. It is nice. It's a little bit wet today. Hopefully your shoes didn't get ruined, but not too many people to fight and nice weather. Yeah, my shoes are on their last legs anyway, so that's fine.

00:16:51Lyndell Murray: And my home parkrun is Bunyaville. It's usually hilly, dirty, wet. It's fine. Now, Baringa parkrun has been going for a little while now. Yeah, I think three years. I think we had our third birthday. I get confused. It feels like forever. We're all in a time warp right now, right? Yeah, that is correct. And have you been involved since the beginning?

00:17:14Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: I wasn't Run Director at the beginning, but I did come here when it first started and have been coming when it's not raining because I don't like to get my feet wet.

00:17:22Lyndell Murray: Good idea. Now, I'll let you just take a photo. Now, just to give you a bit of an idea, the Baringa parkrun has lots of mixed terrain here. You start on an oval on grass, which today was a bit soggy. You run out, a lot of it's on concrete path, but there is also a really nice section on some trail as well. So it's a great little course. We've just got a finisher coming in. Don't know what number, about 30th finisher or something like that. Well done. Well done. And so your parkrun journey, you started running here at Baringa?

00:17:58Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: No, I started at Golden Beach because Baringa wasn't around and as soon as something closer to home opened up, I jumped ship pretty quickly. So you live close to this area? Yeah, it's only about two kilometres as you walk, so nice and a bit more of a sleep in. That's always great.

00:18:15Lyndell Murray: Now, it's a fairly small parkrun here, but it's right in the middle of a housing development. So the hope is that it will grow with the construction here.

00:18:26Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: Yeah, that's the hope. A lot of people still head down to Golden Beach. But it's just probably getting word of mouth out there. And once Saturday sports over, because it's a really family community. So I think we lose a lot of people with Saturday sport and things like that. But hopefully as the town grows, we'll get a few more people in and grow it a little bit. We don't want to get too big though.

00:18:48Lyndell Murray: No, the size is really nice here actually. And it seems like everyone knows each other as well. We've just got another finisher coming in. Well done, mate. And you're multitasking today. Do you have a little crew of volunteers, though?

00:19:05Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: We usually do. We've just COVID's obviously hit everywhere and we lost a couple of last minutes. So we've managed to make most of them through, but unfortunately couldn't get a photographer for today. So just doing a bit of filling so that everyone can celebrate their run today. Yeah, fantastic. All right.

00:19:22Lyndell Murray: Here's our Tail Walker. Coming in, our last finisher for today at Baringa. Thank you. All right. Is there anything else that you would like the parkrun adventurers? This is a podcast for people who like to adventure and tourists to different parkruns. What would you like them to know about Baringa?

00:19:41Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: We're very welcoming of people from other parkruns. Oftentimes we have more visitors than locals. So if you want to not have to share the path with too many other people, get down here and have a nice run. Excellent. Thanks so much.

00:19:54Lyndell Murray: And Baringa is about an hour's drive, an hour and a bit's drive north of the CBD and just on the southern end of the Sunshine Coast, for everyone that wants to know. Thank you so much for talking to me. Thank you for your contribution to parkrun and for keeping the community here so vibrant at Baringa.

00:20:11Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: Thank you for coming and running our parkrun today.

00:20:15Lyndell Murray: Alrighty, that is a wrap from me. I will check out now from Baringa parkrun. See you next time on the parkrun adventurers.

Roving report Tracey in a Tutu — Des Connor Junior parkrun

00:20:24Tracey in a Tutu: Good morning, parkrunners. It's Tracey in a Tutu and I am reporting in from Des Connor Junior parkrun in Ashgrove, Queensland. I have managed to secure an exclusive with a dynamic duo themselves, Jack and Claire. Good morning to both of you. Good morning, Tracey. Good morning. Is there any truth in the rumour? And would you like to confirm or deny this, that there will be a beach wedding in Tasmania in March?

00:20:49Jack - guest interviewed in Tracey's roving report: Well, unfortunately, there won't be. What? So, as was alluded to on the pod, we've got a few different families and myself. So, I've got my family and friends, obviously our parkrun family, but I've also got my military family and so unfortunately I'm going to be overseas for a few months as of March I was trying to figure out how to tell people because obviously Claire will be posting saying that she's doing parkruns but I won't be so now is actually a good opportunity to say that yeah I'll be overseas for a few months so it'll be just be Claire by herself unfortunately

00:21:21Tracey in a Tutu: Okay, guys, you have heard this here first at Junior parkrun. Jack will not be attending Palm, but Claire will. Claire, is that correct? Oh, I'm undecided, but it's unlikely. Oh, I know. So we can't even have a hen's night for you on the Saturday night? Undecided. Because I am really great with pink, tulle and taffeta. And, you know, we could do wonderful things with it. We could, we could. I will ponder. Ponder. Okay, no worries. Well, thanks for that, guys. How's everything else going in your parkrun journey?

00:21:57Jack - guest interviewed in Tracey's roving report: Yeah, good. We did SS Koopa Trail yesterday and St Lucia the day before.

00:22:01Tracey in a Tutu: So now we've got snakes.

00:22:02Jack - guest interviewed in Tracey's roving report: Yes, we finished snakes yesterday.

00:22:03Tracey in a Tutu: You finished snakes yesterday. Yes. All right, just explain to the people at home, Claire, what is the snakes challenge? So 10 parkruns starting with S. All right, so putting you on the spot, what are your 10 parkruns starting with S? Oh, let's get the app up.

00:22:16Jack - guest interviewed in Tracey's roving report: We wanted to make sure that we finished that challenge before I left. And so we're trying to do as many as we can before I go in a few weeks' time, six or seven weeks' time. So we definitely ticked off snakes, which is good. And trying to do as many as possible. I'm sure Claire will tick off a lot more than I will in the year as well. So we'll just have to wait and see how we go.

00:22:35Tracey in a Tutu: Okay, so our first one, Shellharbour. What? I've never heard of that. No, I don't know. Sandon Point, St Peter's, Southbank, Surfers Paradise, Sirromet, Stanthorpe, Sandgate, St Lucia and SS Koopa. Excellent, excellent. Sounds like you've been visiting a few places. Now, is it you guys have done over 100 different parkruns? Is that correct? Oh, look at that. Okay, for the viewers at home, I'm looking at the back of Claire's shirt where it says 100 venues and it lists all of them in alphabetical order. That's pretty fantastic.

00:23:08Jack - guest interviewed in Tracey's roving report: We should have looked at that for the S's.

00:23:11Tracey in a Tutu: Yeah, well, yeah, but okay. Anyway, so where to next week, guys? Bunyaville.

00:23:17Jack - guest interviewed in Tracey's roving report: Yeah, Bunyaville. Which would be good, yeah.

00:23:19Tracey in a Tutu: Okay, that sounds awesome. All right, well, guys, thank you for talking with me this morning and for answering the question from the pod. It's back to you, Mel. Unfortunately, there will not be a Hens Bucks night or a wedding at Palm. We shall have to make alternative arrangements. This is Tracey in a Tutu signing out from Des Connor Junior parkrun in Ashgrove. You heard it here first. Bye.

00:23:49Oliver Spake: And thank you, Lyndell and Tracey, with a bit of an exclusive, Mel. I know you were quite progressed in this planning. So firstly, are you okay?

00:23:59Melissa Ellis: Oh, I'm not. I'm devastated. Firstly, that we're not having a wedding. And secondly, that Jack and Claire aren't coming to Palm. Just wanted to put it out there. If any other adventurers are willing to come to Palm and get married, can you please get in touch? I haven't given up.

00:24:18Oliver Spake: To one another or to other parties. This isn't a proposition. That could be the theme.

00:24:26Melissa Ellis: Oh, no, let's not go there. I was really ready for a beach wedding. I'm not ready to let go of that yet.

00:24:34Oliver Spake: Ah, okay.

00:24:35Melissa Ellis: If anybody wants to renew their vows on the beach, Bellerive, let us know. TOC.

00:24:42Unidentified speaker: Okay.

00:24:46Oliver Spake: I had figured that maybe you'd be a little understanding of Jack's justification, his reasonings, given your involvement with the ADF.

00:24:53Melissa Ellis: Oh, yeah, I am.

00:24:54Oliver Spake: I see that you're heavily invested in the idea.

00:24:57Melissa Ellis: I'm a little bit disappointed at the timing. I mean, Jack, you know, come on, we've got to manipulate these things.

00:25:05Oliver Spake: Oh, dear.

00:25:06Melissa Ellis: Good on him and thank you for your service.

Emails

00:25:08Oliver Spake: Absolutely.

00:25:09Melissa Ellis: But Mel, we've got mail.

00:25:11Oliver Spake: You've got mail.

00:25:12Melissa Ellis: We do, Ollie. How exciting. We heard again from Jeff.

00:25:16Oliver Spake: Yes, our guest last week on the pod, Geoff Glaab. Shall I read it out? Please. Yep. So Jeff wrote to us and said, hey there, I wanted to pass along a little US parkrun news. You might see a new event launched on Saturday called Spindletree parkrun. Great name, by the way. This was previously the Woodlands Waterway parkrun, but I believe they weren't able to continue using their same course post-pandemic pause. They moved to a different park and had their first event past Saturday. The Woodlands is a suburb of Houston, Texas. Also, I think I joined the adventurers parkrun group. Let me know if you don't see me and I'll see if I joined the wrong group. Have a great week, Jeff. And Jeff... You got it right. Thank you and welcome.

00:26:05Melissa Ellis: He absolutely did. We were a little bit excited when we saw Jeff pop up on our Consolidated Club report this week.

00:26:12Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:26:13Melissa Ellis: And how awesome that Houston, Texas has their second event. Well, they had a second event, didn't they? It's a second renamed event.

00:26:22Oliver Spake: Yes. Yeah, that's right. And it's good that they could find another solution given the disruption to their original course.

00:26:29Melissa Ellis: Absolutely.

00:26:30Oliver Spake: No, thank you, Jeff. It's always lovely to hear another update from the US and we look forward to hearing more.

00:26:36Melissa Ellis: We do. Keep the updates coming. Whenever you have news from over there, please let us know. Yes. But, Ollie, we also had a message from Irene Bumacanti who shared a photo to me of the start line at Sherwood Reserve parkrun in New Zealand showing everybody doing the aeroplane pose.

00:26:55Oliver Spake: Isn't it fantastic?

00:26:57Melissa Ellis: Here's me. Actually, you can't see, but I'm doing the aeroplane pose.

00:27:02Unidentified speaker: Okay.

00:27:03Melissa Ellis: which is also what we like to refer to as a Zoom Zoom. Yes. Which is your signature pose, Ollie.

00:27:09Oliver Spake: Well, I won't claim it, but I do like to do it. It's fun.

00:27:13Melissa Ellis: Yes. Did you do it on Saturday?

00:27:16Oliver Spake: I did. I couldn't help myself.

00:27:18Melissa Ellis: Oh, I'll have to look at the photos. So I did question this with Alison as to why Sherwood Reserve was doing the aeroplane pose en masse at their start line. And Alison said, it's their thing. The co-ED Scott Harrell started doing aeroplanes a few years back and he calls them Scott Airplanes. It's to put a smile on your face. And they have their own hashtag, Ollie, hashtag Scott Airplanes.

00:27:47Oliver Spake: Okay. Well, I can't remember the last Zoomie I've actually posted, but I'll have to remember the hashtag and join in the fun.

00:27:54Melissa Ellis: Yes. They've even got a Facebook group.

00:27:57Oliver Spake: Yeah.

00:27:57Melissa Ellis: I think it's also called Scott Airplanes. So the New Zealanders are all over it.

00:28:03Oliver Spake: They are. All right. We need to catch up.

00:28:06Melissa Ellis: Where have we been?

00:28:07Oliver Spake: Yes. Yes. But thank you, Irene and Alison. Yeah.

Dazza's

00:28:11Melissa Ellis: Exactly. But, Ollie, moving along to Dazza's. This week at Dazza's was a cricket theme with Dazza's saying, Welcome to Dazza's Summer Series Edition. While the Aussies and the Poms battle it out at Bellerive Oval in the fifth test. How's that for a coincidence?

00:28:29Unidentified speaker: Ha ha.

00:28:30Melissa Ellis: Dazza is left wondering what traditional cricket food to serve. We need a summer sausage roll substitute, surely. Join us for a chat as we keep one eye on the cricket scores. So Bellerive, of course, the reference there for the fifth test, which is also the location of palm22.

00:28:52Oliver Spake: That's right, that's right. Even more of a coincidence. Add two and two and you get the final result of the Ashes series.

00:29:01Melissa Ellis: Don't talk about the war.

00:29:04Oliver Spake: Sorry to all the English cricket fans, but at least I won't have to offer another retraction this week.

00:29:09Melissa Ellis: Yes, 4-0 to the Aussies for this current Ashes series. Not to say that won't turn around again in the future.

00:29:17Oliver Spake: That's right. Yeah, everyone has their time. That's for sure. Speaking of those who had their time, the first having their time at Dazza's this week, Richard, who said, good morning, Dazza's. Sally and I are on our way to tail walk at the entrance parkrun. A 7 a.m. start. For the sausage roll chasers, there's Ken's Humble Pie Shop at the entrance that is worth a visit. We'll certainly be stopping there post parkrun. And additional, we got our palindrome today, 6446. Oh, nice. There's definitely one to aim for for the Tail Walkers too. But I guess you could get that most times, couldn't you? I don't know how many palindromes I've had. And Tracey Wood. And it's welcome back to our home ground where this maiden will be opening the day at Kedron and looking to finish on a marvellous score of 319 not out. Should I add that, yeah, everyone was in the spirit with the cricket theme this week, weren't they?

00:30:17Melissa Ellis: I was going to say the same, Ollie. Everybody got on board with the cricket references at Dazza's this week.

00:30:23Oliver Spake: Yes, yes. And look, carrying that on, Alison King. I used to be a regular at New Road, home of Worcestershire County Cricket Club, and the ladies' pavilion was the place to be at 3pm. They made the best lemon drizzle cake. The commentators always got a slice. Today, though, was a stint as RD at Puarenga where it was a nice and cool start to the day. We had 89 parkrunners with one achieving her century and just realised today is my parkrun birthday. I'm six.

00:30:54Melissa Ellis: Happy birthday, Alison.

00:30:57Oliver Spake: And Phil Olson. Good morning, Dazza's. We're just off to bed before going to Central Park Plymouth tomorrow. It's nearly 10pm here in the UK before anyone gets the wrong idea. Latte and a sausage roll, please.

00:31:11Melissa Ellis: And we heard from Mark Porritt. Wouldn't be cricket without a box of pizza shapes. So thank you, Mark. Good to know. Traditional cricket cuisine.

00:31:23Oliver Spake: Great for those balmy long afternoons.

00:31:26Melissa Ellis: Abigail's mum likes Entrance parkrun for me today. Such a lovely parkrun. Can confirm locks here are in good working order. And Abigail's mum shared a photo of herself in front of a toilet block. So there's our first toilet selfie, Ollie.

00:31:46[laughter]

00:31:46Oliver Spake: LAUGHTER Number one, as it were.

00:31:49Melissa Ellis: Awkward. Bruce Purdy, how's that? There was volunteering, a PB, and now a coffee. Would you call that a hat trick? I think that's a good hat trick, Bruce. Ingrid Botha, 99th run today at the beautiful Dolls Point. I was excited to see a first-timer who had discovered us last week and came along this week with barcode in hand. Double pancakes for me today, please, Dazza.

00:32:14Unidentified speaker: Oh.

00:32:14Oliver Spake: I think you earned them, Ingrid. Way to go. Nice to see a return. And we heard from Sam Schroder. I bowled a maiden over, tail walking with Rebecca at home in Picton this morning. And Sam shared the photo of her and Bec in volley vests with a bark runner. And then we heard from Val Warwick. These two oldies ran walked around patrolling the boundary of Montrose foreshore parkrun where the sun bore down relentlessly. Pictured after parkrun grabbing some shade but no coffee. Hoping for a good day's play at Bellerive but will be there tomorrow afternoon and evening as our youngest is taking his old cricket loving mum on a mother and son date. It was a great Christmas present. And for the second week in a row, Steve's cousin sent me a photo of herself with an easily recognisable other. Last week, it was Harry Hoverdog. And this week, it was, well, me. Didn't think that one through. Thank you, Val. And as Val described, she did share the photo of her and Stephen in their parkrun shirts. And Mel, I've just discovered that would have meant that I think she was there for wrapping up of the test. So what a great date that must have been.

00:33:28Melissa Ellis: Yes. But what about you being a bit of a celebrity? So was that Lynn?

00:33:34Oliver Spake: Yes. Look, I'm no Harry Hover dog, but just as hairy maybe. I don't get as much air. And moving along, Sonja Pohlman. I volunteered as Timekeeper as beaches raised the bat for the third time this morning at run number 300. Our wonderful RD, Tricia, also hit her ton of volunteering at beaches and her 100th run at beaches. She celebrated by bringing us delicious cake. And Sonia's photos there, there was a volley selfie through the bars there at Bar Beach, appropriately, some chocolate cake and Tricia. So congrats.

00:34:15Melissa Ellis: And I've got the Bailey shot. Firstly, Tanya Bailey, tail walked a Pegasus today, then coached the eight-year-olds at the surf club, home for a spot of lunch with homemade scones and a pot of tea. And Tanya shared a photo of some lovely looking scones, delicious scones even. And Bec Bailey. No rain delay today. The weather held off long enough to play out this match. 21st volunteer, 94th parkrun, completed my NENDY and borrowed my friend's dog for a tail walk with the lovely Sam Schroder at the beautiful Picton this morning. enjoying touristing and volunteering to some of the flutter events while this knee recovers. I'm now considered a tourist as Picton was my 20th different event today. I'm timing my milestones for an upcoming event. Guess you'll have to wait and see. And Bec shared a photo of herself with Sam and the Bark Runner, plus a bridge shot. But, hmm, timing for milestone. Hmm. Hmm.

00:35:19Oliver Spake: Yes, there are some interesting milestones coming together there and interesting timing. Hmm.

00:35:26Melissa Ellis: I'm getting excited. I don't suppose Bec wants to get married. Does she know anybody?

00:35:30Oliver Spake: Has she got a boyfriend? Bec, you'll have to write in.

00:35:34Melissa Ellis: Brett Bailey played with a straight bat and ran Brunner at Pegasus, then nipper coaching at the surf club with 18 enthusiastic eight-year-olds. Brunner has retired for the day. And a photo of Brunner horizontal and done.

00:35:51Oliver Spake: And Mel, I'd just like to commend you on seamlessly moving along from suggesting Bec Bailey get married to her father's report.

00:36:01Melissa Ellis: You're welcome. Claire Statchbury on other matters.

00:36:06Oliver Spake: Con some friends into coming for a drive to SS Koopa Trail for their first birthday. We picked a winner of a morning weather-wise, plus we've now completed snakes.

00:36:18Melissa Ellis: She might want to con those friends to come for a hen's night at Bellerive, maybe.

00:36:24Oliver Spake: Dazza is having a shotgun wedding theme weekend this weekend. LAUGHTER That's next week. Joe Richards, Park Waddle Touristing this morning at Phillip Island, saving the legs for a big day tomorrow.

00:36:27[laughter]

00:36:37Melissa Ellis: Yes, Joe was running two bays, which was a big event this last weekend in Victoria. And... We hope you had a good run, Joe. Yes, yes.

00:36:48Oliver Spake: Excellent effort. I haven't seen the result, but excellent effort. That looks like an amazing one. And Helen Jane Davis, I caught up with a few friends at the number two event, Frankston Nature Reserve. And Helen did share the photo with some very familiar faces there, Mel.

00:37:08Melissa Ellis: Yes, I might have been in that photo. Steve Warwick, I was bowled over with my time at Montrose Foreshore parkrun but no coffee for us today. Fortunately, I kept my footing and there was no leg slip to catch me out. I think that's enough to cover my report for today. And Steve shared a photo of himself and Val in apricot. Grette Wilkinson, back to Mount Barker today to celebrate Poppy's 250th parkrun. That now makes it five times 250 in the Wilkinson clan and three generations of 250ers. A hat trick, perhaps.

00:37:51Oliver Spake: Well done, Wilkinsons. That's a lot of 250s.

00:37:54Melissa Ellis: Janet Reid, 252 not out for me at Team Lochiel. A warmish morning with 251 happy parkrunners aboard the mothership. Three beautiful koalas and a laughing kookaburra. An iced coffee will go down very well. Thank you, Dazza. And Janet shared a photo of a tree enjoying a hug from a koala. All right. I think we need to, again, point Jeff in the direction of Lochiel parkrun for koalas.

00:38:25Oliver Spake: Yes, certainly on the Australian list. Got to try it. Chantelle Hosking, ventured to North Sydney, saw this message at the airport. And I love this. The sign states, I do believe it's time for another adventure.

00:38:41Melissa Ellis: Very well done, Chantelle. And she was there to collect another compass point, her north.

00:38:48Oliver Spake: Well done. Well done. Rounding the compass. Andrew Turner, I got to Nelson, and that's 111, runs at Maribyrnong. Sadly, a lot more than any England batters scored. Ooh. I also managed to collect my 53rd stopwatch bingo number. Nice work, Andrew.

00:39:09Melissa Ellis: Ollie, I don't understand the 111 reference.

00:39:12Oliver Spake: I was hoping you wouldn't bring it up.

00:39:16Melissa Ellis: Do we have to Google that terminology? Quick, Ollie, you're the one that likes the tap, tap, tap. Quick, look it up.

00:39:24Oliver Spake: The tap, tap, tap. Yes, so in cricket, the number 111 is sometimes called a Nelson, and that's after Admiral Nelson, who allegedly had only one eye, one arm, one leg near the end of his life.

00:39:38Melissa Ellis: Oh, really?

00:39:39Oliver Spake: He would hop, shuffle or jiggle, particularly if the number of wickets would also match.

00:39:46Melissa Ellis: work Ollie that was quick it was very quick googling yes fun fact my previous married name was nelson so there you go yes tamsin Smith morning dazzler hot chocolates all round for a purpling of ambassadors at Bartley Park we had to break the ice on the muddy puddles and we can confirm Bartley Park appeared on our consolidated club report so thank you tamsin for joining And last but never least, Pippa White. Hello, everyone. Sliding in. Weather very, very cold. Running in zero degrees or lower. Something warm, please. And a spot of your sun. Chipping Norton School parkrun in the icy fog. Ground was either frozen or slippery, slidey mud. Penultimate parkrun before a few weeks of walking only. Hernia repair op. Oh, my goodness. So sorry you were so cold, Pippa, and good luck for the upcoming op.

00:40:50Oliver Spake: Yes. I hope you're back out there and enjoying the walking for a time being. And, Mel, I do feel like I should apologise. I feel like we've been unfairly harsh on the English. We do have a number of our English parkrunning family joining us at Dazza's. So, yeah, tough luck, guys, and sorry if we rubbed it in a bit hard.

00:41:11Melissa Ellis: Oh, yes, it's all in good natured spirits. And feel free when the tables are turned, which undoubtedly they will be. Yes. You can return serve. And that's a nice segue into next week's tennis theme.

00:41:28[music]

00:41:28Oliver Spake: Excellent.

00:41:28Melissa Ellis: But, Ollie, it's time for us to throw to our favourite part of the podcast our wonderful informant with his weekly stats.

the Informant

00:41:48The Informant: This is the informant. These are unofficial stats. They're only current at the time they are collected, and may differ from the stats you read elsewhere. The following stats relate to parkrun day 15th of January 2022. There were 434 runs held down under, which is a welcome post-COVID record. 402 of these were in Australia and 32 in New Zealand. This was out of 1628 worldwide. Aussie New Zealand attendance was 39,488 out of a post-COVID record 204,380 worldwide. There were seven launches, two in South Africa, four in the United Kingdom, and one in the United States. Down under we had 3,709 PBs, while 2,016 people participated for the first time.

00:42:35[13 seconds of audio that could not be transcribed]

00:42:48The Informant: 107 juniors reached their junior 10 milestone, 171 people reached their 50 milestone, 86 reached their 100 milestone, and 26 people reached their 250 milestone. 16 people called bingo. John Mills was the quickest with 203 runs, while Terry Baker was slowest on 342 runs. There were a massive 15 new statespeople. Barbara Cooper, Cheryl McCulloch, Jennifer Richards, Beth Lonergan, Hayley Nichols, Kendall Kirkwood, Juliet Martins, Kieran MacDonald, and Claire Lonergan in the ACT. Jen Hodgson, Lisa Caton, Tim Maroon, Henry Brewstreet, Roger Caton all completed the South Island in New Zealand, while Andy Mears completed the North Island and also became a New Zealand countryman. In the top 20 most Aussie New Zealand events list, Kathleen Wollington, David Messenger and Nathan Castle all move up one ranking to be equal 11th with Alan Burrell on 157 events. Errol Poole moves up one to be equal 5th with Michael Schultz on 181 events. Biggest movers overall were Sally Heppleston, Michelle Kohler and Barry Toggy, who all move up 12 to be ranked 176 with 87 different events. 158 people lifted their Wilson Index this week. Other than the very public movement of the boss Ollie Spake jumping 1 to 10, the biggest mover this week was Paul Curtin, who jumped 18, to be now on 26. I put a call out on the socials to see who could name the events with four letters in their name. No real interaction there, so I'm disappointed. The answer for those who care in order of appearance, Nui, Roma, Sale, Bega, Lota, and Kira. My challenge to Mr. Pohlman is to come up with a saucy name for what could be another quest for those inclined. And a shout out in Virtual Mars Bar to the Quizmaster Simon Mackley. He points out that Frankston is not the longest parkrun name. Greenridge Rail Trail is. But then I owe two Virtual Mars Bars to Adjudicator TOC. He tells us that a parkrun has a short and a long name. In most cases the short and the long name are the same, but not always. And that little technicality is what I'm using in order to avoid apology or retraction. So thank you. And that's a wrap. If you want to see a full breakdown of the weekly stats, you can download them from the blog at theinformant.me. That's www.theinformant.me. Or look for The Informant on Facebook. This has been The Informant, and my spreadsheet is bigger than yours. And thank you to our informant.

00:45:46Oliver Spake: But Mel, let's keep the stats going. I believe you've got a little bit more.

00:45:51Melissa Ellis: I have, Ollie. We also wanted to extend our congratulations to Andy Mears, who was mentioned by the informant, who became the newest New Zealand countryman this last Saturday at Otaki River parkrun. I believe Andy lives in Whangarei, which is the most northerly parkrun in New Zealand, which makes this achievement even more special given the amount of travelling required.

00:46:15Oliver Spake: That's something else. Jeez.

00:46:18Melissa Ellis: Also of note in New Zealand this week, there were two 250ths. One was 10-year-old Rebecca O'Sullivan, daughter of Otaki River ED Mark, and the other is Marilyn Trathen, who runs in the veteran women 70 to 74 age category, who started at Tamworth parkrun and now calls Pegasus home. So thank you, Alison, for passing on the New Zealand information.

00:46:46Oliver Spake: Yes, thank you, Alison, and well done. Well done, everyone.

the Obi Award — Chris Fraser

00:46:50Melissa Ellis: But, Ollie, it's time for us to announce this week's Obi winner. We didn't do one last week. We were working on our summer series last week, but this week... Yep. We've got a winner. We've chosen one.

00:47:04Oliver Spake: We've got a winner. Yes. All right. I will grab the envelope. Would you like me to announce it?

00:47:12Melissa Ellis: Yes, please. Seeing as you've got the envelope is probably the best.

00:47:15Oliver Spake: Easier. Okay. And the Obi goes to... Hang on. This can't be right. He wasn't even at Dazza's, but Chris Fraser... Clearly crime and breaking all the rules pays. So congratulations, Chris Fraser, for those fantastic efforts and providing all the evidence to prove it.

00:47:49Melissa Ellis: Well done, Chris, and thank you for all your efforts, for your creative content. It's very much appreciated. And we hope everybody enjoyed the little insight into Chris and Ollie's boys' trip to Wentworth Common.

Consolidated Club Report

00:48:04Oliver Spake: Yes. But in other news, Mel, the Adventurers Club.

00:48:09Melissa Ellis: Yes. Ollie, we're doing really well. We're up to 90 this week. We've gained six new members.

00:48:18Oliver Spake: That black shirt's climbing.

00:48:19Melissa Ellis: We've still got 10 to get to our 100 shirt, but it was still a really good result. So this week we had 72 members on the Consolidated Club Report and And seven events represented in the UK, which were Haigh Woodland, Norwich, Chipping Norton School, Central parkrun Plymouth, Watermead Country Park, Cranbrook Country Park and Bartley Park. And excuse any incorrect pronunciations. We had two in New Zealand, which were Pegasus and Owairaka. And we had two in South Africa, which were Greytown Woodside Trail and how do you say it, Janet? Hi, Mel. It's pronounced Hay-da-dol.

00:49:07Christina - Run Director, Baringa parkrun: And thanks for volunteering, Johan. And drumroll.

00:49:10[music]

00:49:16Melissa Ellis: One in America.

00:49:20Oliver Spake: I wonder which one that could be.

00:49:22Melissa Ellis: Joe Creason.

00:49:24Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:49:25Melissa Ellis: But, Ollie, I have to point out. Oh, yeah? There were only two adventurers present at Wentworth Common, which was yourself and Chris Fraser. Yes. But I happen to know there were other adventurers there on the day, namely Barbara and Lynne.

00:49:43Oliver Spake: So, yes, yes. Barbara and Lynn, please sing out if you need a hand signing up for the Adventurers Club. No pressure.

00:49:51Melissa Ellis: And can I also say that also at Frankston – oh, my goodness, hang on a minute. What's the – Frankston Conservation Reserve – No, Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve. I can never remember the order of that damn name. Anyway, the park where I was at last week, there were seven adventurers present. At this stage, I think that's our PB.

00:50:15Oliver Spake: I think that's pretty good, yes.

00:50:17Melissa Ellis: Seven adventurers present at the one event.

00:50:19Oliver Spake: It's just occurred to me. So it's Frankston Nature Conservation Reserve.

00:50:25Melissa Ellis: Mm-hmm. I think so.

00:50:26Oliver Spake: FNCR. Okay. Well, if that's indeed right, we should call it the fancier parkrun. FNCR.

00:50:33Melissa Ellis: Okay.

00:50:34Oliver Spake: So that we can at least remember that they come in that order.

00:50:37Melissa Ellis: That would be easy.

00:50:38Oliver Spake: Yeah.

00:50:38Melissa Ellis: Okay. Hashtag fancy.

00:50:40Oliver Spake: That might not stick. Hashtag fancier. Yeah.

00:50:44Melissa Ellis: Anyway. Yes.

00:50:46Oliver Spake: That's a pretty impressive PB. I wonder what could possibly outdo that PB, Mel.

00:50:54Melissa Ellis: I don't know.

00:50:56Oliver Spake: We'll see.

00:50:57Melissa Ellis: 20 Notties last week?

00:50:59Oliver Spake: Oh, yes, 20 Notties is pretty impressive.

00:51:01Melissa Ellis: That's not where you were going with that, was it?

00:51:03Oliver Spake: No, no. I was saying which week will outdo it, but that's all right. That's obvious. Oh, palm. Yes. Oh, my God, I'm so blonde. Anyway, on to other exciting things. The Notties, fantastic effort.

00:51:17Melissa Ellis: Yes, you can do them.

the NottiesNew Zealand not parkruns

00:51:19Oliver Spake: Okay. So, and New Zealand not parkruns. Thank you, Alison. So, top New Zealand not parkruns for the week coming in number one, Whangarei. The Whang, 27. A very impressive 27. Second, Pegasus on 21. And Millwater finishing in third on 10. With the numbers well down with parkrun back in most of the country.

00:51:44Melissa Ellis: Millwater need an Aussie, you know.

00:51:47Oliver Spake: Millsy.

00:51:48Melissa Ellis: Millsy. Oh, yeah. Yeah, good one.

00:51:52Oliver Spake: And the fun is the only event of these three not to be back at the moment.

Sign-off

00:51:56Melissa Ellis: Yes. But looking forward, Ollie, what is coming up?

00:52:01Oliver Spake: Well, suffice to say, I didn't wear a tutu, which was probably remiss of me last week, but there's another bite at the apple this Saturday.

00:52:11Melissa Ellis: I think it's a cherry.

00:52:12Oliver Spake: Bite at the cherry? Yeah, it just felt like it was pretty insignificant, like the whole cherry's gone except the seed if you bite, but bite at the doughnut. This Saturday, bite at the sausage roll. Sausage roll. Sausage roll.

00:52:24Melissa Ellis: There were no sausage rolls to be seen.

00:52:27Oliver Spake: This Saturday is the 22nd. So if you are listening to this and it's not the 22nd yet, you still have time with so many events having a tutu theme. So check it out. And if they're not having one, you could suggest it.

00:52:41Melissa Ellis: Absolutely. And this coming weekend, we also want to give a shout out to friend of the pod, Errol Poole, set to run his arbitrary 350th parkrun this weekend. So have a great run, Errol.

00:52:56Oliver Spake: Well done, Errol. Yes. And looking forward, anything exciting on the horizon for you, Mel? Maybe.

00:53:02Melissa Ellis: Maybe.

00:53:03Oliver Spake: Okay. Suspense. Let's keep that suspense. Yep.

00:53:08Melissa Ellis: So I'm not telling Chris, so don't tell him.

00:53:12Oliver Spake: Oh no, you're not.

00:53:15Melissa Ellis: I'm going to go and get a new event. He'll be cranky because he's behind me on the most events list.

00:53:24Oliver Spake: Well, that is exciting, Mel.

00:53:25Melissa Ellis: Yeah.

00:53:26Oliver Spake: And we'll find out which one next week. Is that the suspense? Yeah, yeah.

00:53:31Melissa Ellis: I'm going to bundle Zoe in the car and we are going to head east. That is the biggest hint I will give you. We will head east.

00:53:40Oliver Spake: East, okay.

00:53:41Melissa Ellis: Cross a border.

00:53:42Oliver Spake: Mm-hmm. East.

00:53:44Melissa Ellis: Actually, maybe we'll head west. Yeah. Let me start that again.

00:53:52Oliver Spake: You're off to New Zealand.

00:53:57Melissa Ellis: Clearly my geography is just as good as the previous Mel. Oh, my goodness. West, yes.

00:54:05Oliver Spake: That's exciting.

00:54:07Melissa Ellis: It is. The planning is in very early stages, but being that it's still school holidays, I'm not working at the moment. It is an opportunity to take a little couple-a-day break and grab a new event before everything returns back to normal.

00:54:24Oliver Spake: School time, yes. Yeah, so.

00:54:26Melissa Ellis: Okay. Little road trip with me and Zoe, which should be nice.

00:54:30Oliver Spake: Have a great trip.

00:54:31Melissa Ellis: And what about you, Ollie? Back to Shellharbour? I mentioned it.

00:54:36Oliver Spake: How do I do that? It wasn't me. So the plan at the moment, it's the annual trip down the coast with the extended family to Lake Conjola, which is, I don't know, it's an hour and a half south of where I am here. The plan will either be to revisit one of my favourite South Coast parkruns, being Husky or Batemans Bay, maybe travel a bit further afield. But I don't know, if we're struggling in the team, I may have to dash back and volunteer. We'll see. We'll see. Anything's possible.

00:55:07Melissa Ellis: What options are available on the new events horizon if you choose to do so?

00:55:13Oliver Spake: Well, it's a bit of a drive, but there are a couple of B parkruns.

00:55:17Melissa Ellis: Do you call yourself an adventurer? What's a bit of a drive? I mean, how many hours are we talking?

00:55:22Oliver Spake: I think we all know I'm not an adventurer. I'm an adventurer groupie. I'm just here for the rest of you. But the said drive is, I don't know, two hours, hour and a half, two hours each way. So, yeah, we'll see. I mean, I did Google how far it would be to drive down to Lakes Entrance, but I don't think I can justify that on a family trip away, leaving the state. That's not really cool with the in-laws. Not that they'd probably be offended. It just doesn't feel right.

00:55:52Melissa Ellis: You don't tell them. Just turn up with a spare wheel on and go, oh, I had a flat tyre. Yeah. Sorry I'm late.

00:56:01Oliver Spake: But we will see. We will see. So there are certainly some options. There are lots of options when you've done 30 individual parkrun events. So we'll find out next week. So will I.

00:56:13Melissa Ellis: Well, as always, you can contact us via Facebook or on our email, which is parkrunadventurers at gmail.com. Hashtag be like Jeff. That's it for another week. We'll see you all next week for more adventures.

00:56:24[music]

00:57:21Unidentified speaker: Thank you.

00:57:34Abigail's mum - listener: Hi Mel and Ollie, it's Abby's mum here. Abigail isn't speaking to me at the moment as we had a family holiday on the weekend and she found out that we missed Eynesbury Junior's first birthday celebrations. So I'm in the bad books. What she would have said though is happy birthday Eynesbury. We hope the next year is as good and as fun as the last year has been and we are so happy and privileged to be part of it all. Bye everyone. Stay safe.