Episode 276 - Mooving On

Welcome

00:00:23Melissa Ellis: Welcome to episode 276 of the parkrun adventurers podcast. My name is Melissa Ellis and I'm coming to you from Wurundjeri Country.

00:00:34Oliver Spake: And I am Ollie Spake and my cicadas and I are coming from Dharawal Country.

00:00:40Melissa Ellis: Oh, Ollie, it's the week after the weekend that was.

00:00:45Oliver Spake: I'd forgotten what a hangover felt like, Mel. What an amazing weekend we had. We really did. We really did. And we promised we wouldn't recap Palm straight away. Did we? Well, I call it a promise. Oh, okay. Yes. I guess we thought about that. Okay. Yeah, look, each palm is pretty special. This one didn't disappoint and certainly look forward to reminiscing a bit more. Definitely a dose of post-palm blues still hitting me.

00:01:17Melissa Ellis: But did you get out to parkrun this coming weekend? Because Shellharbour was cancelled again. Do you want to tell us a bit more about that? Yeah, well, look,

00:01:29Oliver Spake: I suppose just on that topic, and you'll see the linkage in a second, but hey, everyone, across all of those parkruns, those wonderful parkrun communities that are currently impacted by the flooding at the moment, and look, I know there's fires in southwest WA as well, so natural disasters, wishing everyone a, I'd say, speedy recovery in their parkrun course and hopefully everyone is okay and their homes are okay. The linkage there is, you know, Shellharbour's weather impacted but far, far less than so many of the others we've heard about. And some of the videos we've been able to see. Thank you to those that have shared those. But to get to the point, Shellharbour is usually on a dirt track and that's now a gully. And it's a little overgrown around that track. So it just wasn't safe to go ahead. We made the reluctant call on Friday after holding out a bit of hope, but we'll do everything we can to get it back next week.

00:02:26Melissa Ellis: So where did you head then, Ollie? Yeah.

00:02:28Oliver Spake: Yeah. It was a good opportunity to go on some adventuring, but I kind of didn't have the legs. So I went to Sandon Point parkrun's 400th birthday for a bit of a celebration.

00:02:44Melissa Ellis: Their 400th birthday, Ollie, or their fourth birthday, or like how does that work? Yeah.

00:02:51Oliver Spake: Get it right, Ollie. 400th event.

00:02:53Melissa Ellis: Right, okay.

00:02:54Oliver Spake: 400th event, yes. So that was pretty special. They're the big sister for Shellharbour in the region and they're a beautiful course, beautiful scenery and a lot of it is paved. I think virtually all bar a bit of the dirt and grass at the start and finish. So it was a good opportunity to go and run on a course that was a bit more stable after a bit of a dodgy knee. And they were hoping to get 400 participants. They put out a good call out. I think if it were not COVID times, they would have reached it, but 300 people rocked up and enjoyed the festivities, including some of my palm friends. So that was quite nice.

00:03:36Melissa Ellis: So those being Ben Bailey and Chris Fraser?

00:03:41Oliver Spake: Yes, Shellharbour Zone.

00:03:42Melissa Ellis: Excellent. And what's with the dodgy knee, Ollie? Is there something you need to tell us? No.

00:03:49Oliver Spake: I am planning a run later this year and after the festivities of Palm, I was still on a high, had a lot of energy over the days that followed and all of my different ventures around Tassie because it was quite sentimental. I got a bit excited on Tuesday morning and I started my hill training.

00:04:09Melissa Ellis: You didn't try and run up Mount Wellington, did you?

00:04:11Oliver Spake: I only ran part of the course. I ran the first six k's. Oliver. I turned around, came back down and let's just say the knees didn't appreciate that fast downhill and then running down Macquarie Street in Hobart, stop starting at each traffic lights. A bit too excited and we will recover.

00:04:33Melissa Ellis: Okay.

00:04:33Oliver Spake: Yeah, so it was a careful parkrun for me on Saturday, just gone, but can't emphasise enough. So wonderful to see some friendly faces locally and palm-based.

00:04:45Melissa Ellis: That's what it's all about though, isn't it, Ollie? Like running with your friends far outweighs any PBs or, you know, other achievements. It's the community aspect where I get the biggest thrill out of what I, that's bad English, that I.

00:05:03Oliver Spake: Yeah, absolutely. And I felt really quite torn because I got a message from Marvellous Mark and he was celebrating his 200th and he was just south. He went to Husky. He went to Husky.

00:05:19Tracey Wood: I saw that.

00:05:21Oliver Spake: Unfortunately, I had some commitments straight after parkrun, so I knew that I wouldn't be able to get back in time in the wrong direction. So, Mark, I'm terribly sorry to have missed your 200th parkrun. And I look forward to running with you in the ACT because he's leaps and bounds in his running, backing up after a strong low weekend and many more runs to come. So another time.

00:05:43Melissa Ellis: We missed you, Mark.

00:05:45Oliver Spake: We did.

00:05:45Melissa Ellis: You need to be at Palm next year.

00:05:48Oliver Spake: We would love that. We would love that. But Mel, parkrun Day just gone. Where did you go?

00:05:54Melissa Ellis: Well, I attended event six of Cyril Curtain Reserve parkrun, which was featured by TOC in episode 274. Cyril Curtain Reserve is only 40 minutes from me in the suburb of Williamstown and is a three-lap course on a beachfront reserve of a popular off-leash dog park. I arrived as the sun was still rising, giving a fabulous sunrise over the distant city skyline. The parking and toilets were in close proximity and I was happy to catch up with fellow tourists and palm attendees Helen and Steve Davis. It was a mild morning which provided a pleasant run on the relatively flat three-lap course on a concrete and coastal trail. There was a modest turnout of 71 participants, which comprised 43 first-timers. Yes, 43 first-timers. which only 13 had less than six events to their name. This shows the continued patronage of tourists who have delayed their attendance in respect of this fledgling event. Afterwards, I joined a small group for coffee at Huggabug Cafe for a short park faff with my friends and a few locals. So... Another new event ticked off for me. Regained my statesmanship in Victoria, Ollie. Well done. Hooray. Yay. Hooray. Happy to do that. And yeah, happy to tick off Willie as it is colloquially known. That's the one. That's the one.

00:07:27Oliver Spake: Yeah. That sounds like a nice event size, Mel. And over three laps, was that a comfortable number out on course?

00:07:35Melissa Ellis: Yeah, yeah. So, yeah, it was good because it's three laps and it's very visible so you could see everybody going around the course. It's a very social course, which I think TOC alluded to when he did his roving report a couple of weeks ago. The event team is a very new event team and they're very vibrant and... and excited still with their new event. Yeah, it was all in all a very exciting morning and a nice backup to the excitement we had at Palm.

00:08:06Oliver Spake: Yeah, nice way to keep good vibes going.

00:08:09Melissa Ellis: And it was close to home. That was also good. So I ticked off another new event and I didn't have to travel a million miles to do it.

00:08:17Oliver Spake: Yeah, save that for next week, I suppose.

00:08:20Melissa Ellis: Well, now that I've regained statesmanship in Victoria, so I'm now 700 kilometres from any new event that I can possibly do. So we're looking at Easter for my next new event. Unless, just saying, unless there's another new launch in Victoria before then.

00:08:42Oliver Spake: Aha, yes. Aha. Well, I think you Victorians do have a bit of a habit of kick-starting new events. So, yeah, there's a few weeks there for you, Mel.

00:08:53Melissa Ellis: I think we're on par with New South Wales in that respect, just saying.

00:08:58Oliver Spake: Yeah. But, look, you've had a lot of travel lately. Not only was it Palm weekend, but you've been away for quite a while. So did Zoe appreciate having you guys back? I think she did, yeah.

00:09:12Melissa Ellis: So I was back at Junior's on Sunday, Ollie.

00:09:15Oliver Spake: Yeah.

00:09:15Melissa Ellis: Let's just bring that up. We had a bit of a struggle this weekend to fill our roster at Eynesbury. It was a long weekend in Victoria. Today is a public holiday. It's Labor Day weekend. Yeah. This Monday, the 14th of March. So a lot of people are away holidaying for the long weekend. Plus we had a few major events, running events that took some of our regulars away as well. So we really struggled to fill our roster. It was touch and go all week as to whether we were going to get those last volunteers so that juniors could run. We managed. We made it over the line. Yeah. And it was event 36 at Eynesbury. We had 20 kids. Excellent. So good numbers. Yeah. Very happy that we managed to get our volunteers so that those 20 kids could enjoy their parkrun.

00:10:11Oliver Spake: Yeah, well done to you all because that's a difficult juggle around a long weekend and it must have been nice to be back there too.

00:10:18Melissa Ellis: It was. It was a little bit of normality and that is every week. Juniors is kind of one event that Paul, Zoe and I all attend together. And even though, you know, Paul and I are there in a volunteering capacity and Zoe turns up not always under her own free will, but she does enjoy meeting up with friends that she doesn't regularly see and and going to brunch and enjoying a doughnut and a hot chocolate and a bit more social activity after the event so yeah it's something that we do every Sunday that is a family activity so we really look forward to that and it was nice for us to return to that on Sunday yeah nice way to reconnect and spend that time it does sound like a nice way to spend a Sunday morning You'll have to come sometime, Ollie.

00:11:12Oliver Spake: I will. I will. And have you gotten a bit of rest, Mel? Because it was a busy weekend, that weekend before the one just gone, that little weekend in Tassie.

00:11:24Melissa Ellis: Maybe I had the rest the week before because Paul and I, we headed over to Tassie a week early and did some touring. So that was probably very restful. What I've now learned is the week of a holiday would perhaps be best spent after palm rather than before because yeah we travelled home and then it was straight back to work and palm is hectic Ollie palm is full on it goes from one event to the next to the next to the next over a period of three days And it wore me out.

00:11:59Oliver Spake: And I have to agree. The Palm format is slightly exhausting, but I wouldn't change it.

00:12:04Melissa Ellis: No, no, no, no.

00:12:07Oliver Spake: And credit to those few clever people that picked and choose where they joined in or stepped away to enjoy the destination, while some of us Palm passionistas completed all the different events on the smorgasbord. And on that, Mel, a special mention to Chris Fraser completing his first First full suite of palm events after attending five palms. But, yeah, it was tiring. And I hope everyone's taking notes because next year, plan in a bit of a break afterwards so you can really make the most of the experience.

00:12:38Melissa Ellis: That's my advice. Turn up. Do the Palm weekend and then have a few days of a holiday at whatever location is the destination. No spoilers. No announcements are being made. However, that is my advice and that is what I'll be doing next year just to unwind a bit before heading back to work. So, yeah, we landed back on the Tuesday morning of last week. And then we had work on Wednesday and, yeah, I had work for the rest of the week and then straight into the next weekend of parkrun. So, yeah, this public holiday has been very fortuitous to have a bit of a rest and to catch up on housework, Ollie. LAUGHTER

00:13:21[laughter]

00:13:23Unidentified speaker: What's that?

00:13:24Melissa Ellis: Nobody's been cleaning the house while I'm away. Surprise, surprise. Yeah, yeah.

00:13:30Oliver Spake: Oh, look, you mentioned the next palm. There are some strong views out there. So we will address that in time. And it's great that there are strong views, but we will, for this episode, bask in the post-palm enjoyment a little longer. But before we re-enter that particular little quagmire, sorry, quagmire.

00:13:49Melissa Ellis: Quagmire? Is that a clue?

00:13:54Oliver Spake: Not at all. Not at all. Just baiting. The thing I did learn is, and putting it out there, I do need to learn how to hold a mic. So my apologies to everyone that tried to enjoy episode 275 with the microphone stubbed right down my throat. The episode did sound a little terrible at times as I was speaking in particular there.

00:14:20Melissa Ellis: I don't think it was just you. Trying to own the issue. No, no, Ollie. We are not professionals.

00:14:30Oliver Spake: No, no, that's right. After we pay all of our parkrun adventurers HQ employees, there's nothing left to pay us, so we're purely for the love of it.

00:14:41Melissa Ellis: We don't know about this sound recording stuff and we get it wrong.

00:14:46Oliver Spake: But let's take a positive spin and let's just say it's all the more reason to come along and join in person next time.

00:14:52Melissa Ellis: Yes. Yeah, that's where the fun is.

00:14:55Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:14:56Melissa Ellis: 100%. So should we recap a little bit, Ollie?

00:14:59Oliver Spake: I think so.

00:14:59Melissa Ellis: Okay. So we awarded our first actual physical real live Obi. How exciting was that?

00:15:07Oliver Spake: I wish I'd held it. I didn't get to hold the Obi.

00:15:11Melissa Ellis: Oh, we didn't have a photo. No, we didn't. Dawn had that pleasure.

00:15:16Oliver Spake: Yes, and congratulations to Dawn.

00:15:18Melissa Ellis: And thank you to Steve, who 3D printed our Obi for us. And I do believe there is of an even more improved Obi next year.

00:15:29Oliver Spake: Oh, yeah, there'll be a few wanting that. Look, it was a, I'd say, tightly fought quiz and Dawn did very well. It was fantastic to see someone take the Obi there and everyone else gets some fabulous prizes as well. So, again, do appreciate everyone involved in the quiz. That was a highlight for sure, Mel. But having Dazza there in Dazza's own way was kind of a way to make up for it, you know, the fact that we weren't actually at Dazza's.

00:16:03Melissa Ellis: Yeah, he sends his apologies. He wasn't too happy about being left at home.

00:16:07Oliver Spake: So much that he forgot to wake up on Saturday morning. He did.

00:16:11Melissa Ellis: He did. Yes, Dazza's was a little bit late opening. We won't say that there's a little bit of internal conflict.

00:16:20Oliver Spake: No, we like to sweep that under the rug. Everything is rosy. And the Palm festivities, we did talk through, obviously, in the previous episodes, previewing all of the events, so probably doesn't warrant a full recap. But let's just say I did enjoy, in particular, walking a lot of courses.

00:16:40Melissa Ellis: I did walk all the courses other than Bellerive. They were all stunning, but Bellerive was the standout for me. That was just a magical parkrun, and I don't think we actually captured it properly in the recording in what we described. There was a lot of description of the course. Nobody actually said that it was by the water. Nobody actually described the views properly.

00:17:06Unidentified speaker: Mm-hmm.

00:17:07Melissa Ellis: From the track. Now, Ollie, you've got a lot more experience in Tasmania and Hobart than I. What was the body of water that we were looking at? Was it a river or was it a bay or was it – what was it?

00:17:20Oliver Spake: So the Derwent River is the river that flows through Hobart there and – Just on the eastern shore, I suppose, on the point there, Bellerive is a pretty spectacular spot because you've got that view out into the mouth of the river. Perfect. And I've seen it very well described in David's book as a highlight when you are visiting late December. You may just happen to catch, if you're very, very lucky, the Sydney to Hobart yacht race that would come in and finish there toward the dock there. Right, right. You can, of course, look west across the river to the city up to Mount Wellington or Kunanyi and, yeah, it took my breath away.

00:18:03Melissa Ellis: Yeah, and I don't think we impressed that properly in our recording that as much as everybody said what a beautiful course it was, nobody actually referenced the fact that we were running alongside the water and had that beautiful view the whole way.

00:18:20Oliver Spake: Mm-hmm.

00:18:21Melissa Ellis: which was stunning and which I did appreciate. It's one of my favourite things, just to run alongside water.

00:18:27Oliver Spake: Yes, I do agree. And the course, relatively flat too.

00:18:31Melissa Ellis: It was not. What? What course did you run? There were some long, flat parts. Okay. Okay. Agree to disagree. Yeah.

00:18:44Oliver Spake: Course markings out there, a lot of encouragement.

00:18:46Melissa Ellis: Yes, very good chalk markings on the day. And we should mention how many participants we had, Ollie, for palm22. Yes. I've done the crunching of the stats today and I have worked out that we had 45 people participate this year at Palm. Huge.

00:19:03Oliver Spake: Yeah.

00:19:04Melissa Ellis: Although three did go to Queens Domain, but holding no grudges, I've done that myself previously at Palm. Look, we are all adventurers. If you have done the course already or if there is another letter that you need in close proximity, no judgment. Go for it. We are adventurers. That is what we do.

00:19:22Oliver Spake: We're here to enable. Yeah.

00:19:25Melissa Ellis: We also had one adventurer that was at our park in Orford in Tasmania on the day as well, but did get back to join us at the recording and that night at the dinner. Of our 45 participants, 18 were Victorians. Insert applause.

00:19:42[applause]

00:19:44Unidentified speaker: Well done, Victoria.

00:19:46Melissa Ellis: Eleven were from New South Wales, ten from Queensland, four from Tassie, and while I mention that, Ollie, Glenn Moore.

00:19:55Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:19:56Melissa Ellis: Did you speak to Glenn?

00:19:57Oliver Spake: I don't think I got to speak to Glenn. Sorry, Glenn. Neither did I, Glenn. I was actually hoping to say g'day.

00:20:04Melissa Ellis: Why did you not come and talk to us? We are very sorry we didn't get to speak to you. And we also had Kaz, who I believe is also a Tasmanian.

00:20:13Unidentified speaker: Yeah.

00:20:14Melissa Ellis: That was also, and I'm sorry that I, and I regret that I did not also get to speak to Kaz. We also had one representation from South Australia in our lovely Janet Reid interview. And one from ACT, which was Michael Charlton. No representation from WA, but that's understandable because their borders were closed and we're still trying to hunt down some friends in the Northern Territory.

00:20:45Oliver Spake: Yes. We'll find a way one day.

00:20:47Melissa Ellis: Yeah. Maybe they listen. Maybe they're just hiding in the background and not reaching out yet.

00:20:52Tracey Wood: So if you are... We want to hear. Yes. We want to know about our friends in the NT.

00:20:58Melissa Ellis: Yes. We won't go for that. No, I shouldn't say it, should we?

00:21:02Oliver Spake: I don't know where you're going with that.

00:21:03Melissa Ellis: See you in the NT.

00:21:06Oliver Spake: No, no, no. I think it's time for another catchphrase. Renee.

00:21:09Melissa Ellis: Renee.

00:21:12Oliver Spake: So, yeah, what an amazing attendance and thank you again, everyone who came along. Fantastic to be able to share parkruns with you, to get to speak to many of you. Sorry for those that we didn't get to have more of a chat with. We'll just have to do that next year or at a frond. But, Mel, didn't everyone look dapper on Saturday night at the beautiful Hope and Anchor Tavern? Yeah.

00:21:37Melissa Ellis: The dress-up night is going from strength to strength, Ollie. I was so excited with the amount of people and the effort they went to for their costumes. It was brilliant. It really is a highlight of the whole weekend. It's probably the pinnacle of the weekend is the dress-up night. Yes. You were amazing as a pharaoh. I loved the twist on the pea theme. Yeah.

00:22:02Oliver Spake: Yes, yes. Got to be pronounced correctly if you do say it. But I was particularly impressed that I was the, how do I say it, not the most precious pharaoh. That doesn't come out right. No. um Ingrid Ingrid was and and you know credit to uh Eman and Christine and juno of course we had a whole gang of pharaohs we had a whole civilization who knew we would have so many pharaohs but uh Ingrid ingrid's gold looked far more precious than mine and there was some fantastic crocheting with her costume as well so uh Yeah, I was very pleased to be in that bunch. You had your own posse. I did.

00:22:45Melissa Ellis: Yes. Who knew there would be so many pink ladies at Palm, but it was brilliant to be a part of that and I thoroughly enjoyed it.

00:22:54Oliver Spake: And, Mel, I think also credit to Bec Bailey for creating a costume that inspires park-run tourism and that we could drink.

00:23:05Melissa Ellis: Should we share that video footage, Bec, of the Bailey shots? Because that was a highlight of the night to share the Bailey shots with an actual Bailey shot.

00:23:16Oliver Spake: It was. Maybe one day we can get to do that with Tanya and... Yeah, Tanya and Brett would love to, you know, obviously need more Baileys to go around.

00:23:24Melissa Ellis: But, yeah, definitely some great costumes. We appreciated the effort that everybody went to and it was so much fun.

00:23:31Oliver Spake: And a special thanks to Lynn.

00:23:33Melissa Ellis: Yes, yes, definitely want to thank Lynn, Lynn Hewson, for on the night capturing everybody and making sure that we got the photos of all the costumes. We appreciate everything that you did on the night, Lynn. Thank you so much.

00:23:50Oliver Spake: Yes. Yeah. So, hey, if you haven't been to the parkrun adventurers Listener Meetup page, go and check it out and just start those ideas for the next year's dress up because, I mean, parkrun's good, post-parkrun coffee is good, but the dress up's where it's at.

00:24:06Melissa Ellis: I liked that a lot of the dress-ups ended up in the gin bar, Ollie. I do believe I saw Pac-Man at the gin bar.

00:24:15Oliver Spake: Yes, yeah, there's got to be a joke there that opens with a couple of pharaohs, Pac-Man, a pink lady, a peacock and Pegasus Parker and walk into a gin bar.

00:24:28Melissa Ellis: But, yeah, it was... What happens at the gin bar stays at the gin bar.

00:24:32Unidentified speaker: Yeah.

00:24:33Oliver Spake: Perhaps so, but I think our costumes were well received. We did try and recruit a few more parkrunners. I'm not sure they could take us that seriously around the parkrunning side of things. And I suppose in all of that, we did say a lot of thanks last week, but I think the reflection that there have now been five palms is a testament also to the vision and the efforts of the wonderful hosts who kicked all of this off, Mel and Scotty.

00:24:58Melissa Ellis: Absolutely. Absolutely.

00:25:00Oliver Spake: Yeah, they created something. It's an enormous privilege to continue their fine work. And it really hit home just being part of a group that are there just to enjoy and to really get to spend a bit of time doing what we all enjoy doing.

00:25:17Melissa Ellis: Yep, I agree. But Ollie, it's a 29 minute intro so far. So I think we better move on.

Roving reports & the Channel 5 News crew

00:25:22Oliver Spake: Yes, yeah, during all of that and since then, the parkrun world kept turning. We've got some roving reports, so you're absolutely right, Mel. Let's switch our focus and have a listen to those.

Roving report Sarah Jefferson — Mount Clarence

00:25:41Sarah Jefferson: Good morning parkrun adventurers. This is Sarah coming to you from Mount Clarence in Albany, currently in the rain. Today I'm tail walking and I'm walking with a hardcore parkrun adventurer, David. David, what brings you to Mount Clarence parkrun today?

00:26:00David: I'm trying to do most of the parkruns in WA. I moved here in October and I've done 21 so far and I've still got about another 15 or 20 to go.

00:26:10Sarah Jefferson: Nice. Well, it's a bit cooler today, which is good for our WA summers have been quite warm. So how many parkruns have you done currently at different locations around Australia?

00:26:21David: This will be my 164th different location. I've done runs in WA, Queensland, New South Wales, SA and Victoria.

00:26:30Sarah Jefferson: Nice. I was talking to David before, and I'm sure that David has just taken a job in Western Australia so that he can try and tick off the 42 parkruns. Would that be correct, David?

00:26:38David: I'm certainly thinking about that for my next job needs to be in Melbourne so I can do all the Victorian ones.

00:26:43Sarah Jefferson: Right, so if anyone's got a job in the industry of... Engineering. David could be your guy. So now we're turning into a recruiting podcast. Tell me a little bit about some challenges that you've achieved, David, because they're quite impressive.

00:26:57David: I've completed the alphabet probably two years ago. I did that when I was in New South Wales, so I actually planned my Christmas trip around finishing the alphabet and having to go to Queensland to get Z for Zillmere and a few other letters. So I plan my holidays around Hutt parkrun these days.

00:27:13Sarah Jefferson: And would I be right in saying you've nearly completed the alphabet three times?

00:27:16David: Yes, there's some letters you can't get three of in Australia, but apart from those, I've done at least three of every other letter.

00:27:23Sarah Jefferson: Well done, David. Thanks for sharing your parkrun adventures with us today.

Roving report Johan Duvenhage — Weavers Country Estate

00:27:29Johan Duvenhage: Good morning. Goeiemorgen. Doemelang. Mouweni. Johan Duvenhage reporting from Wakkerstroom in Mpumalanga, South Africa, where today I'm visiting Weavers Country Estate parkrun. It is an absolutely beautiful morning. The altitude is quite high. We're just shy of 1,800 metres above sea level. It looks like it's going to be a wet and muddy morning because they've had significant rain over the past few days, but not as much as you guys down under. Adventurers, I'm here with Carmen Jacobs at Weavers Country Estate parkrun. Carmen, just tell us quickly about the course, please. [Afrikaans: "Good morning"] [Setswana / Sesotho: "Greetings / hello (addressed to more than one person)"] [translation uncertain] [isiXhosa / isiZulu: "Hello, everyone"] [translation uncertain]

00:28:08Carmen Jacobs: our course is a trail course so it is a bit rough underfoot and when it rains like it has last night it is quite wet but it's a challenge and it's beautiful out here lovely country course people enjoy it you know you get wet but it's fun it's muddy fun I can tell you that's absolutely the truth you should see my legs I look like a little mud little piglet

00:28:35Johan Duvenhage: How's the turnout been so far? And this is today's your third run, if I'm right.

00:28:39Carmen Jacobs: Yeah, the numbers are growing. It's slowly. We are a distance away from most major towns. So it is a bit of a way away from everybody. But we hope that the numbers build and everybody gets excited and it's getting there.

00:28:55Johan Duvenhage: slowly so that's great it's what we wanted we didn't want hundreds of thousands but we we I'm glad to see that everybody's trying to push each other to to better their times on the course thank you very much it's a wonderful course it's beautiful surroundings and the altitude is a killer just shy of 1800 metres above sea level put it in at around the third highest parkrun in South Africa wow okay thank you very much I'm glad you came to join us thanks adventurers, I'm here with Ridwan Fakir, who's just finished the Weavers Country Estate parkrun. And guess what he's done here? How many different events, sorry? A hundred different events. Oh, so welcome to the Cowell Club, as well as Windgaard also. Not yet. Not yet. Okay, so in South Africa, Windgaard means a hundred South African events or Southern African events. But Ridwan has finished his Cowell Club today. Congratulations, Ridwan. Thank you so much. How did you feel? How did you do on the course?

00:29:52Ridwan Fakir: The course was a lovely course, very wet and muddy, but lots of fun. It's a trail run, and I'm just happy to be out here, and I'm glad that I chose this as my 100th different parkrun. Yeah, awesome. Congratulations. Thank you so much. Appreciate it.

Roving report Tracey Wood — Queens Domain

00:30:08Tracey Wood: Good morning, parkrunners. It's Tracey in a Tutu and this quiet Queenslander has quartered my quarry all the way down to Queens Domain in Hobart, Tasmania. Why are you questioning my quest? Well, I think you know the answer to that one. Now I'm here at Queens Domain and I know the location start. Thankfully there was a freedom run yesterday so I'm pretty confident on the start location. I'm here nice and early. I won't do a big report on Queens Domain as I know it's been covered before but I'm going to try and record the race briefing this morning. Apparently it's being delivered in Rhyme so I think that would be nice to include. Okay stay tuned.

00:30:53Lockie: if you can manage that. So welcome to Queens Domain. I'll be your race director today and Lockie is my name. This is the first time I've done it. It's the first time I've read Nick's poetry. So hopefully I get it right. This event is only made possible by our volunteers. So show your appreciation and give them some cheers. Without their generous support, there'd be no parkrun. So what an awful thought. If anyone would like to join us, and it really is no fuss, you can write your name down on this big sheet and discover that the jobs are really quite neat. So we can all enjoy our parkrun day, I have some reminders that I need to say. Please give your finishing tokens to our scanners. Really, it's just good manners. If you need a toilet, head over to the club rooms before you soil it. If you have a puppy, keep them on a lead. And children must be with you always. Are we all agreed? If you have a pain behind your rib, don't panic. We've got a defib. Just checking there. Please keep left along the track. Yes, I'm talking to you. We don't want any collisions, but that's nothing new. So if you're celebrating a run milestone, let me know so I can take a picture on my phone. The event starts at nine, and if everyone was listening, we'll all be fine. Remember, today is about having fun and doing your best, so good luck and enjoy from all of us in an orange vest.

00:32:32Tracey Wood: Okay, here I am back on the course. It's a nice bitumen course for a way. Let's see, I'm at the 1K mark, and I think I see someone coming back the other way. We're doing a pretty nice pace here, actually. A lot of fast walkers here. Anyway, that's enough from me. I'm gonna finish up here and head over towards the parkrun adventurers Meetup recording that's on this morning. Obviously, this recording is coming to you late, Have a good day, everyone. See you on the B-side.

Roving report Lyndell Murray — Stockton

00:33:05Lyndell Murray: G'day, parkrun adventurers. It's Lyndell. And today, post-Palm, I am checking in from the lands of the Worimi people. I am at Stockton parkrun in Newcastle, the region of runners. I have just arrived. It's a lovely spot here on the north bank of the Hunter River in Newcastle. And there's just been a massive boat pull in with a couple of tugboats. There's a ferry coming across the river. People are gathering. The Run Director looks like she's about to give her briefing. So I'm going to go and listen in because I've got no idea where I'm going. And I'll check back in after we run. Alrighty, I have tracked down resident Wooter Rod. Rod, how are you going today?

00:33:51Rod: I'm going great, thanks Lyndell. How's your day?

00:33:53Lyndell Murray: Great. First time at Stockton. Love my adventuring. How about you? Do you do a lot of touristing as a parkrunner?

00:34:00Rod: I don't. Most of my running is local, but there's still plenty of things to do and see around Newcastle. We've got the brilliant harbour here and we've got some fantastic bushland as well. It's a great place to be.

00:34:12Lyndell Murray: So is Stockton your home parkrun?

00:34:14Rod: Yes, it is. I'm a home parkrunner here and I'm also a Run Director and regular volunteer and I've probably got more parkruns here than anywhere else.

00:34:23Lyndell Murray: So you're more a passionista than an adventurer.

00:34:25Rod: That's right.

00:34:27Lyndell Murray: Fantastic. So this podcast is for people who like to adventure and go to different parkruns. What would you like them to know about Stockton parkruns?

00:34:37Rod: Stockton parkrun is a really welcoming parkrun. We've got great wide trails. Welcome to pram runners. It's really great if you're a dog runner. It's really nice and wide. You've got fantastic views of the harbour. The only thing that we do have is a bit of crazy weather because we're right on the ocean. If it's going to be windy, it's going to be windy here.

00:34:58Lyndell Murray: And there's been some flooding in the area in the last little while. Has that impacted the parkrun or any of the other parkruns in the area?

00:35:07Rod: It certainly would have. When the river rises, we're okay because right here on the harbour it can get straight out to the ocean. But further up the river at Raymond Terrace, their course regularly gets submerged when we do get a bit of flooding. So I wouldn't be surprised if there's a few Raymond Terrace refugees here today.

00:35:26Lyndell Murray: Yeah, and in general, how's the community going with the flooding? Is it still a bit of an impact?

00:35:31Rod: Newcastle area's been really, very lucky. We've watched rainfall really heavy all around us, but as far as even localised flooding, we've been pretty okay. Unlike you guys from Brisbane, where you really had to swim for it.

00:35:46Lyndell Murray: Yeah, it's been such a big event all up the eastern seaboard of Australia, hasn't it? So in a way, it's really nice that parkruns can continue to give people that continuity in their lives.

00:35:57Rod: Absolutely. So important for our physical and mental health and just get away and get with your community as well and meet great people.

00:36:05Lyndell Murray: Now, Rod, how did you first get involved in parkrun? How long have you been parkrunning and volunteering?

00:36:11Rod: I was here almost at the very start of parkrun in Newcastle. A good friend of mine from work who I like to share a lunchtime run with invited me along and I've been hooked ever since. So, yeah, Don, if you're listening, thanks, buddy.

00:36:26Lyndell Murray: And now, I did say you're a resident Wooter. You've got your Wooter singlet on. Tell us a little bit about the Wooters.

00:36:31Rod: So the Wooters are a local running club started at Newy parkrun. And the spirit of the Wooter is just to have fun, enjoy your running above everything else. We have runners from all capabilities and ages. We do some regular training activities. We do Wootables on Mondays. We do owls and possums running through the Glenrock Nature Reserve on Friday nights. And a whole bunch of social events as well. So we're a really inclusive club. And as you can see, we don't mind taking things a little not seriously. And if you hear a distinctive call, that is the call of the Wooters.

00:37:14Lyndell Murray: So sometimes you're in disguise, guys you're not always in your bright orange singlets that's true but you can this is true but you will recognise us and we recognise each other with a little owl salute as well yeah oh okay well thank you very much for giving me the secrets of the wooters thanks for talking to me today and thank you for everything that you've done for parkrun here in Newcastle it's an enormous pleasure thanks for coming and joining us here at Stockton parkrun, Lyndell Okay, so as always, I've tracked down today's Run Director. It's Alicia. Alicia, this is your first time run directing, is that right?

00:37:46Alicia: That is correct. Very first time doing Run Director and I was very nervous doing so. But I did okay. Seems like it. We've had a lot of finishes today. Big numbers here today? Yeah, they're larger than what they would be normally because we've got a triathlon in town tomorrow and there's also an aquathon today. So we've got a lot of people using this as a warm-up event, which is good.

00:38:08Lyndell Murray: Yes, excellent. And maybe some locals who are doing the triathlon might be volunteering?

00:38:12Alicia: Yes, that is absolutely correct. So we've had a full roster today, which is unusual. Next week's empty, so that's our job for this week. Let's fill up the roster.

00:38:22Lyndell Murray: And look, it seems like a pretty nice community here at Stockton. There's a lot of people still here, but I'm a slow runner. Usually by the time I finish, there's quite often not many people around. No.

00:38:32Alicia: But there's lots of people here having a chat. Is that a pretty regular occurrence here as well? Yeah, definitely. So we usually run around about an hour and ten. So it takes that long for the last Tail Walkers to come through. But, yeah, everybody hangs around, has fun. Sometimes there's cake. Sometimes, like, if we're doing celebrations. So, yeah, the community around here is really good. Yeah. And there's quite a few parkruns in the Newcastle area. Yes, there is. So there's Raymond Terrace, there's Newcastle, there's Stockton, Blackbutt, Lake Macquarie. So there are a fair few within sort of driving distance for everybody. Yeah.

00:39:06Lyndell Murray: And I've heard that you like to call yourselves the region of runners. Yes. Is that a furphy that I've just made up or is that a thing?

00:39:16Alicia: I haven't heard of that, but I can definitely understand where you got that from because there are runners everywhere around here. So I understand that completely.

00:39:24Lyndell Murray: Yeah, cool. Now, Alicia, you're first time Run Director.

00:39:28Alicia: You've obviously been parkrunning or involved with parkrun for a little while. Tell us about your story. I am originally just a triathlete, so I would never do parkrun. But last year I actually got injured and had three months off. So I came down and volunteered every week for three months and then started doing parkrun myself. So I haven't done many, but I use it now as my Saturday get together with my friends. So I just enjoy volunteering. For me, it's about the community and getting together and then afterwards going for a coffee with everybody and having my weekly chat, excellent so it's a real social thing that's a big part of parkrun isn't it definitely I think if you don't see the social aspect then you're definitely missing out yeah I would totally agree now just a triathlete none of that none of that come on have you made a return to triathlons no not yet I'm just sort of having a break so maybe in the next six months or so

00:40:24Lyndell Murray: You're enjoying your volunteering. Absolutely. Do you have a favourite volunteer role? Maybe it's Run Director after today. Hold on.

00:40:32Alicia: Potentially Run Director. No, I really like the barcoding because you get to see everybody come through and have a chat to everybody that's done the parkrun that day.

00:40:41Lyndell Murray: I'm seeing a bit of a theme here. You like a chat?

00:40:43Alicia: Yes. Yes. Ask my husband, he'll tell you.

00:40:49Lyndell Murray: Well, that's terrific. Alicia, thank you so much for having a chat to me today. Is there anything else that you would like the parkrun adventurers to know about Stockton parkrun?

00:40:59Alicia: Nothing other than come down and do Stockton parkrun because we are number one. We'll stop. And could you describe the course for us? It's a very flat, very picturesque course. We're right on the harbour, which is really nice. You get to see the coal ships come in and out. It's beautiful. I noticed that.

00:41:18Lyndell Murray: Lots of really big boats.

00:41:20Alicia: Yes. Really big boats. And lots of trees and lots of park dogs here too. Yes, there's a lot of dogs. Usually I have to fight for the dogs to get our voice to be heard at the introductions.

00:41:31Lyndell Murray: Awesome. Well, thank you again for talking to me and thank you for everything that you've done. Obviously a really key part of the team here, volunteering so consistently for the last little while. So thank you for everything that you've done for Stockton parkrun as well. Perfect. Thank you so much. I hope you enjoyed today. Alrighty guys, that is a wrap from me from Stockton parkrun. On the north side of the Hunter River in Newcastle, it's a beautiful spot. As Alicia was saying, it's an out-and-back, out-and-back course, very flat, lovely and scenic. And if you've got any kind of obsession with boats or rivers, this is the parkrun for you. So many boats and big boats. Just incredible to watch. Alrighty, that is it from me from Stockton and I'll see you next time on the parkrun adventurers.

00:42:27Melissa Ellis: And thank you to our roving reporters this week. We had Sarah at Mount Clarence, Johan at, is it Weavers Country Estate or Weavers? I don't know, all these South African pronunciations. Ollie, I don't claim to be an expert. We had Tracey at Queens Domain and Lyndell at Stockton.

00:42:48Oliver Spake: Yes, a nice set of roving reports from some very different locations. Thank you, everyone. Sarah did, will acknowledge, send us a note updating us and saying, hi, guys, I stand corrected. I know there are 44 parkruns in WA rather than 42. So thank you, Sarah. I don't think the numbers mistake is any detriment to the roving report. I make plenty of them. And, yeah, so great to hear of the fun across a wide range of parkruns.

00:43:19Melissa Ellis: Yeah. Thank you for contributing again, Sarah, over there from WA. And great to hear from Johan over in South Africa. You did well, Johan, and keep it coming. We like it.

00:43:31Oliver Spake: Yes, yes. And it was nice to hear the poem at Queens Domain. So thank you, Tracey. And a bit of the fun there that we did miss while we were across the other side of the river. And from Lyndell there, Stockton parkrun gets a good rap, Mel. It's certainly one I've heard some positive things about, so I will have to put it on the list. On your ever-growing list, Ollie. The one I hope never to finish.

Emails

00:43:55Melissa Ellis: But we also, we got mail. We did. You've got mail. From Val. Yes. Val Warwick. Shall I read it?

00:44:03Oliver Spake: Oh, please.

00:44:04Melissa Ellis: Hello, Mel and Ollie. We've just done our Friday morning ritual and listened to the podcast and thoroughly enjoyed reliving the weekend. I did notice your interest, Ollie, in the Bruny Island Ultra that Brooke mentioned. She is correct in saying that it is well organised and has a fantastic atmosphere. Steve did the 64 kilometre the year he turned 70 and loved every moment of it, almost. Bruny has some steepish hills. I loved crewing for him and interacting with the solo runners and the teams and their crews. I, as a non-runner, can recommend this event to ultra runners but warn you that the last climb up to the lighthouse at the end of the 64 kilometres is not easy. Pfft. Hope you do get to do it one day. Thanks for last weekend to the two of you and especially to TOC. Palm was a blast. Cheers, Val.

00:45:03Oliver Spake: Thank you, Val. And yeah, look, good running there, Steve. It would, I imagine, be quite hard. I didn't get to drive all the way to the lighthouse when I did visit there on Monday. But yeah, that's one that's definitely moved to the top of the list. Obviously, well outside my capability right now, though.

00:45:21Melissa Ellis: You went to Bruny Island, did you, Ollie, after Palm? I did. I did. See, I would really like to get to Bruny Island. We couldn't fit it in this trip, unfortunately. But when I was doing my study and I studied through the University of Tasmania, I did learn about bruny island there's a very well-known cheese yes yes what do you call it I don't know a cheese farm yeah what it is they have great beer I went there yes yes excellent and they are quite well known in such circles so that is a place I would have liked to visit but perhaps on my next trip yes Paul assures me we will be back to Tasmania Oh, yeah, definitely.

00:46:06Oliver Spake: Fun fact, I think Cathy's glad we've not had a son. I have always insisted that if we did, he'd be called Bruni.

00:46:14Melissa Ellis: Really?

00:46:15Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:46:17Melissa Ellis: Oh.

00:46:17Oliver Spake: So nonetheless, we'll just have to run it one day. And thank you to Val as well, especially to TOC. Echo that also. But to Val for you and Steve and showing us around your beautiful state.

00:46:32Melissa Ellis: Oh, yes, our token Tasmanian hosts for the weekend. Aside from the two, we didn't get to meet, but we appreciate the welcome we had from all our Tasmanians.

Dazza's

00:46:45Oliver Spake: That's right. Someone that didn't appreciate the welcome, didn't get the welcome, was Dazza. Poor Dazza. So at Dazza's this week, the message eventually was, management would like to apologise for the late opening of Dazza's Cafe. It would seem all the excitement in Tazzy last week has upset our routines. But we're open now and ready to hear about all your morning's adventures. And... Kicking us off with a nottie over in New Zealand was Tanya Bailey. Yet another nottie at Woodend Beach with Brunner. Lovely morning in the sun. Off to the Flat White Cafe for a scone and a chai latte.

00:47:27Melissa Ellis: Yes, and there was a typo that was pointed out by Bec, I do believe.

00:47:32Oliver Spake: Yeah, not a chair latte as was written, but a chai latte. Yeah.

00:47:37Melissa Ellis: And we heard from Richard, who was our milestone slash tourist contributor this week. We didn't go far today, just over to our de facto parkrun, San Remo parkrun, while Pioneer Dairy parkrun is on pause. Sally reached her first milestone, her 25th event, an outstanding effort after completing her first unofficial at Dubbo parkrun without a barcode. I managed to jump my P index to six and Moo Moo and Milkshake headed out for their first parkrun together and Richard shared a lovely photo of Moo Moo and Milkshake in front of the selfie frame.

00:48:18Oliver Spake: They looked like they had a great time. Also having a great time and knocking off one of the challengers, Tim Robbins, who had to say Barbara and I joined the Compass Club at West Beach where the Wagi Bridge Troll was loitering. And Tim did share a couple of photos, one with a compass in the selfie frame at the beautiful West Beach and also a photo with Barbara and Troll to celebrate. And congratulations, guys.

00:48:45Melissa Ellis: And we also had Bec Bailey Touristing and part of one of our bigger fronds this weekend headed nearby to Sandon Point parkrun this morning where they tried to break 400 runners for their 400th event. They got 300, found some other local Shellharbour adventurers also at Sandon. I scored a position and stopwatch bingo number with my borrowed bark runner, Bobby, then headed to North Break Cafe after for some delicious brekky. And Bec shared a photo of herself with Bobby and a cheer squad helper near the Sandon Point finish.

00:49:23Oliver Spake: And, Mel, we heard from Steve's bike.

00:49:26Melissa Ellis: Did we?

00:49:27Oliver Spake: On the tourist front. That's right. Steve's bike is back. Good morning, Dazza. This morning I went to do a parkrun in a park fit for a prince. A delightfully cool morning and a course PB to boot. Looking forward to next week where there is a good chance of meeting a well-known podcast host. Happy parkrun day all.

00:49:48Melissa Ellis: Ooh, where will Steve's bike appear, Oli?

00:49:52Oliver Spake: Yeah, yeah.

00:49:53Melissa Ellis: Is he going to be at Shellharbour?

00:49:56Oliver Spake: He or she, yeah, yeah.

00:49:58Melissa Ellis: Oh, he or she. Oh, yes. I'm being presumptive, aren't I?

00:50:02Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:50:03Melissa Ellis: There's a bit of discussion going around that Steve's bike may be a she. It might be a red herring.

00:50:09Oliver Spake: Yes, or maybe showing up at the much more loved Toolern Creek parkrun. Who knows?

00:50:15Melissa Ellis: Yes, although I don't know where you are, Ollie, but not sure that that's where I'll be, but there's more of that in the outro.

00:50:25Unidentified speaker: Oh, I'm next.

00:50:29Melissa Ellis: You are. We heard from Irene Bommakanti. Another interstate weekend in the Gold Coast. This week, another B for Broadbeach Waters parkrun. Weather was perfect and course flat. Made a pact with hubby that if I ran all the way, he had to make me breakfast. Only got a takeaway iced latte. Breakfast was a bowl of muesli fruit and yogurt back at our hotel room in bed. And there was a photo from Irene and Parth with the flags in the background, but I do believe Irene and Parth may be going after that bee. Is it a beehive challenge?

00:51:09Oliver Spake: Beehive? Yeah.

00:51:10Melissa Ellis: you what there's a challenge Ollie where you have to get lots and lots of bees yeah yeah lots and lots of bees there's so many bee parkruns you have to do and then you have to have a queen and that's a beehive there you go really Ollie you have to keep up someone needs to catch me up here They're ahead of the curve, those Bob and Canties.

00:51:31Oliver Spake: Yes, yes. Well done to them. And we also heard, and I'm not sure if it's in the background noise, but Sphinxie's chimed in too. It's all action here.

00:51:41Melissa Ellis: Oh, hi, Sphinxie.

00:51:44Oliver Spake: And the family, the kids are up, everything. We've also heard from Sonja Pohlman with, I think, a nice new volunteer story here. So volunteering as RD at home at Beaches. Peter did his 100th volunteer and got to scan the barcode of our four-year-old Tail Walker who just got his barcode this week.

00:52:06Melissa Ellis: Oh. Wow.

00:52:07Oliver Spake: And the photo shared some pretty awesome volleys there. So Peter scanning the four-year-old Tail Walker's barcode on the sand.

00:52:14Melissa Ellis: That's massive for a four-year-old to do the beaches in the sand. Yep. My goodness. And congratulations, Peter, on your milestone.

00:52:23Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:52:23Melissa Ellis: And thanks for letting us know, Sonja. We also heard from Chris Rise. We headed back to our home parkrun at Karkarook. Floods have cleared, beautiful weather and a PB for the year. Then coffee at the local Good Times.

00:52:39Oliver Spake: Good to hear from you, Chris. Now another achievement here, Dennis Peden. Large flat white, please, Dazza. I have some arbitraries to celebrate. I finished 31st at the Ponds parkrun in the 31st parkrun that I've done in the last 500 days at 13 different events in three states. It was also my 500th consecutive day of running five kilometres or more every day. Total distance is equal to 3,897 kilometres in just under 407 hours. And... A particular highlight was Dennis's photo with him in said shirt stating, I ran five kilometres every day for 500 days and not one person wants to see my Excel spreadsheet. Who can relate?

00:53:30Melissa Ellis: I think there's a few adventurers that can relate to that. And well done, Dennis. Can we just ask, Dennis, are you on the Adventurers Club? I don't know that I saw. Did we see him at the ponds?

00:53:47Oliver Spake: Not sure. Not sure.

00:53:49Melissa Ellis: Maybe we did. Anyway, our tourist for this week from the UK was Karen Hurrell. Dodged the sprinklers at Harleston Magpies parkrun. That's a hockey club in the east of England, a flat grassy course around the training grounds. My 78th different event and I just missed getting a stopwatch bingo number. Four to go. I can feel for you there, Karen. A latte and a bacon barm, please, Dazza, if the kitchen is still open. What's a bacon barm, Ollie? I don't know.

00:54:23Oliver Spake: Karen, I didn't do my research.

00:54:25Melissa Ellis: Okay. Well, that's okay, but Karen shared a photo of herself with a giant magpie, which was a sign in the distance, not the real thing, behind her and showing it was a very windy day there.

00:54:38Oliver Spake: And I will say, now I have done my research, it's essentially a bacon sandwich or a bacon roll, but yeah, special type of roll is my understanding. So I need to learn a bit more UK cuisine here. So I would appreciate any more education because it sounds delicious.

00:54:56Melissa Ellis: We just learn so much, Ollie, don't we? We do. Doing this podcast.

00:55:01Oliver Spake: We do.

00:55:02Melissa Ellis: That's what I love.

the Obi Award — Rich Ard

00:55:03Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:55:04Melissa Ellis: Oh, but Ollie, Ollie, Ollie, we need to pick a winner for the Obi.

00:55:08Oliver Spake: Yes, and we're back to virtual Obis. Unfortunately, the budget doesn't extend to postage. No. But we do.

00:55:15Melissa Ellis: No, no, you want a real Obi, you've got to turn up to palm.

00:55:19Oliver Spake: All right.

00:55:20Melissa Ellis: Okay. Okay. Do you have the envelope?

00:55:25Oliver Spake: Can you hear it? I can. Can you hear it? Yes. All right. Okay. It's good to be back. This week's Obi goes to... Richard, by extension to Moo Moo and Milkshake and Sally as well.

00:55:50Melissa Ellis: I look forward to crossing paths with Moo Moo and Milkshake one day in my adventures.

00:55:55Oliver Spake: That's right. But it does feel good that all is well and happy and pleasant again with Dazza once again. Thank you, everyone who joined us, time difference permitting, and we look forward to catching you all at Dazza's again next week.

the Informant

00:56:09Oliver Spake: Someone who we have also met. Missed while we've been away is our informant, Mel. So let's catch up with what's been happening.

00:56:19Melissa Ellis: I'm in the office. What do I have to do? You need to log on as the informant. Password is Pulsar91. Got it. How do you know his password? Because he's predictable. It was either that or something Sudoku. Go to the H drive stats reports and there will be a spreadsheet called episode 276 and a word doc called statscript.

00:56:40"Abi's Mum": Uh-huh. Oh, that's a really big spreadsheet. You know what they say about men with big spreadsheets.

00:56:46Melissa Ellis: Oh, you would not go there if you had met the informant, especially when he's eating. Personal hygiene is not his forte.

00:56:53"Abi's Mum": Right. Well, let's get this over with or else I'll be late for footy training.

00:56:58Melissa Ellis: All you need to do is read the script while looking at the spreadsheet and add in the numbers. Gotcha.

00:57:03"Abi's Mum": So have you got my theme music? You don't have theme music. What? Everyone else has music. You don't need music. I get theme music or next time you stay locked in the toilet. Rude.

00:57:15Melissa Ellis: What is it about this office that turns people into egomaniacs?

00:57:19"Abi's Mum": Why does the intern bang on about the view from level two? There's literally nothing to see. What happened to getting on with it? Oh, yeah. Hang on.

00:57:27[music]

00:57:27[the recording continues here — the words are not reproduced]

00:57:34"Abi's Mum": The stats. Okay. This is not the informant. It's Abi's Mum coming to you from a very rundown office that's as untidy as a millennial's bedroom. Abbreviated stats this week. I'm only doing the Aussie and New Zealand bits. Oh, and there's a little note here saying that some of the parkrun results pages aren't working. So, emphasise the disclaimer. But you've heard it all before. So, no, not today. 367 runs were held in Australia and 14 in New Zealand with a total of 38,722 runners and walkers. There were 5,300 PBs and 1,706 first-timers. 106 juniors scored junior 10 milestones, 168 people scored 50 milestones, 105 people scored hundreds and 22 people scored a 250.

00:58:13[17 seconds of audio that could not be transcribed]

00:58:30"Abi's Mum": There were five new states people, Martin Rocks, Joe Reinhardt and Andrew Denny in the ACT. Chris Nettle in South Australia, while Graham and Vanessa Fairbrother completed Tasmania. A post-COVID record of 29 people called bingo. Tyron Jarman was quickest on 114 runs. Reece Eberhardt was slowest with 306. 82 people moved their Wilson index. Peter Baraglia was by far the biggest mover, moving from 31 to 81, a jump of 50. Oh, wow, 50. Did the informant work that out on a calculator? Two people joined the Peel Club this week, Selina Ward and Bryce Davies. Also, two people joined the Cowell Club, Sarah Gee and Claire Thiel. Well done, guys. This has been Abi's Mum, and this stats report has been clean and concise. It was delivered with excellent grammar, perfect diction, and should serve as an example to the entire parkrun adventurers team. And cut. We don't say cut. How do you know when to stop recording?

00:59:34Melissa Ellis: We stop recording when we stop talking.

00:59:36"Abi's Mum": Right. Well, I've stopped talking.

00:59:38Melissa Ellis: Good. Thanks, I think.

00:59:41"Abi's Mum": Informant got his own fridge.

00:59:43Melissa Ellis: Yeah, don't open that.

00:59:44"Abi's Mum": Oh, can I grab a drink?

00:59:46Melissa Ellis: Maybe he's got some beers.

00:59:48"Abi's Mum": Ew, all he has is IPAs.

00:59:58Melissa Ellis: Thank you to our informant, whoever you were. We have no idea because we don't know before you record. Yeah. But we appreciate your content nonetheless.

01:00:09Oliver Spake: That's right.

Consolidated Club Report

01:00:10Melissa Ellis: Ollie. Yes. The Adventurers Club. Is up. It is. We are up to 136 members and 110 members were on the Consolidated Club Report at 70 different locations. Woo! I know. So 13 events in the UK, which were Colwick, Southampton, Bradford, Royal Tunbridge Wells, Hackworth, Rushmoor, Tooting Common, Market Rasen Racecourse, Ross-on-Wye, Penryn Campus, Sharpen Road, Playingfields, Harleston Magpies and Frogmary Green Farm. Oh, as if that isn't a mouthful. Goodness me. One in you. Oh my goodness, I'm hopeless, one in New Zealand, which was Paringa, and one in South Africa at Atlasville. That's huge. Locally, there were adventurers at 20 events in Victoria. I'm not going to read them all out. 13 events in New South Wales, 13 events in Queensland, four in WA, four in South Australia, two in Tasmania. Actually, that might be a lie. I think it might be one in Tasmania. Looking at my notes, just Queensland and none in ACT. ACT, what's going on? Where was Will? I know Mark was at Huskisson, so he's off the hook. We've just got the two known ACT runners.

01:01:42Oliver Spake: Big week at Stromlo the week before. Volunteering?

01:01:47Melissa Ellis: I don't know. But Victoria topping the ledger again.

01:01:53Oliver Spake: Yes, impressive work, Victoria. A good state to be in, it seems.

01:01:58Melissa Ellis: Just saying.

01:02:00Oliver Spake: Yep. Great estate.

01:02:01Melissa Ellis: We're keeping that going for you, Scotty. Don't you worry. Team Victoria.

01:02:06Oliver Spake: I'll come and evaluate it soon. Yep.

01:02:09Melissa Ellis: Promise?

01:02:09Oliver Spake: Yes, promise.

01:02:12Melissa Ellis: So that was the Adventurers Club, Ollie, doing well and growing week to week.

Sign-off

01:02:18Oliver Spake: Yes, what a growth. Keep it up, everyone. And, Mel, looking forward, what's on the cards? Oh, well, I'm glad you asked, Ollie.

01:02:27Melissa Ellis: I am off to Studley parkrun this weekend to see the Sky Whales. I don't know if you remember, Ollie, but back in Episode 229. Neil Taylor posted in Dazza's about the Sky Whales in the ACT. I was particularly interested in this because I have an interest in hot air balloons and I wanted to know what was a Sky Whale and I discovered that they were hot air balloons that were unveiled in 2013. The Sky Whales stand as tall as 10-storey buildings and The flight's running concurrently with a multimedia exhibition at the National Gallery of Australia that includes Patricia Piccinini's new children's book, Every Heart Sings, which tells the story of the Sky Whale family. The Sky Whales have been scheduled to go on tour. It was interrupted by COVID. They did... get to Albury probably around this time last year, which I wasn't able to get to due to, you know, just timing and COVID and probably restrictions. However, they are coming to Aubrey. Melbourne and they are going to be at an oval adjacent to Studley parkrun this coming Saturday so that is where I'm going to be I'm going to be there at 6 a.m so I can be there for the beginning the launch and all the fun that is to be with these magnificent hot air balloons I'm very excited and I'm going to have some special guests Eman Christine and baby juno are going to be meeting me there I can't wait

01:04:13Oliver Spake: Those guys don't stop.

01:04:14Melissa Ellis: They don't. They're all over the place, aren't they?

01:04:17Oliver Spake: That's right.

01:04:17Melissa Ellis: But where are you going to be, Ollie? Are you having an exciting morning like me?

01:04:22Oliver Spake: I will be having an exciting morning. So provided the course is up and running, I'll be at Shellharbour.

01:04:26Melissa Ellis: Yay! Shellharbour's back.

01:04:29Oliver Spake: Well, let's not get ahead of ourselves. Hopefully it's back. It needs to be back. We've got a special guest volunteerist coming along to tail walk, so I look forward to welcoming. Who? Fingers and toes crossed, Sam Schroder. And Bec, of course.

01:04:45Melissa Ellis: Our Bailey shot.

01:04:46Oliver Spake: Our very own Bailey shot, our local Bailey shot. So looking forward to catching our favourites, the Schroders, and hopefully getting back to Shellharbour parkrun.

01:04:56Melissa Ellis: So we're having palm fronds in New South Wales and Victoria.

01:05:00Oliver Spake: Yes, I think every weekend is becoming a frondly weekend.

01:05:04Melissa Ellis: It is, isn't it?

01:05:05Oliver Spake: Yeah, see what it does to things? It's great.

01:05:08Melissa Ellis: I know.

01:05:09Oliver Spake: But Mel, it's been wonderful reminiscing with you. I'm sure we could keep going for a long time, but... We've gone long enough, haven't we? We've painted the picture. So we look forward to hearing more about everyone else's adventures next week. I look forward to hearing about the sky whales and the fronting down at Studley. But as always, everyone, you can contact us via Facebook or our email, which is parkrunadventurers@gmail.com. That is it for another week, and we'll see you all next week for more adventures.

01:06:38Unidentified speaker: Hi Mel and Ollie. Today I came 17th and I'm glad you're back from Tasmania. Bye everybody. Stay safe.