Episode 371 - Out & Moving

Tribute

00:00:04Oliver Spake: We're very sad to acknowledge and share the tragic news of the passing of Stephen Jackson. Stephen and Jen, who have been members of our adventurer community for a number of years, were interviewed in episode 229 and are well known for their incredible value to our Bathurst and broader parkrun community and the amazing Panorama Punish community. were sadly involved in an accident. And whilst we wish Jen a safe recovery, we do also wish all of our love and our thoughts to Jen, to the family, to Bathurst parkrun community, our adventurer community, and, of course, the many, many broad community members that Stephen has been so instrumental in supporting over the years. This wonderful human will be missed.

00:00:55[intro theme playing]

Welcome

00:01:21Melissa Ellis: Welcome to episode 371 of the parkrun adventurers podcast, a podcast about life, if your life is all about parkrun. My name is Melissa Ellis, and I'm coming to you from Wurundjeri Country.

00:01:36Oliver Spake: And I'm Ollie Spake, and I'm joining once again from Dharawal Country. And Mel, it's a Tuesday, which is a bit unusual for us from a recording basis, but... Despite the ups and downs of the week, there is an up that we're both looking forward to. So let's focus on that. And that's the Matildas are playing tomorrow night on the Wednesday. And have you got your keeper jersey?

00:02:01Melissa Ellis: I don't have my keeper jersey, but I plan to buy one. Mackenzie Arnold. Wow. Nike have acknowledged their previous mistake in not providing merch to honour our wonderful female keeper.

00:02:19Oliver Spake: that's right. And, uh, those goalkeeper jerseys, um, sadly for you at this stage, Mel have sold out in five minutes. So, um, yeah, I think we'll, we'll have to stay tuned. I'm sure there will be more released, maybe not in time for the match tomorrow night, but, uh, It's great to see, once again, a cause very close to our hearts and some good memories from the Women's World Cup last year down in Melbourne when we thrashed the Canadians 4-0. Sorry to our Canadian listeners. Yeah, yeah, some very fond memories. But, Mel, speaking of fond memories, how was your parkrun day?

00:02:59Melissa Ellis: Well, we went to event 244 of Stebonheath parkrun on the lands of the Kaurna people. I joined Sarah Jefferson in South Australia and it was fabulous to catch up with my friend from the West Side for a little under 48 hours to enjoy parkrun, girl time and sun in Radelaide. I flew in Friday Arvo and walked the 6K out of the airport to our motel, while Sarah flew in later to join me after picking up the hire car. Saturday morning, we were up and at them to head the 30-odd minute drive to Stebonheath. Fun fact, I had done a Freedo at Stebonheath back in January, but I had forgotten all about it until I turned up and declared, oh, I've been here. As you will hear a bit later, it was Rundown Under Day. And as we were milling around the start line, I spied a pair of Rundown Under people coming together for their photo. So, of course, I rushed over to offer to take the photo for them. And then before I knew it, they called go. I had a lovely run chat with Sarah, who achieved her... snakes challenge and grabbed a decaf flat white in my keep cup from the coffee van afterwards. It was such a lovely warm but not too hot morning and many participants lingered around after the event to socialise. After parkrun, we headed into Glenelg for brunch and a walk on the jetty and the afternoon was spent chilling by the motel pool and catching up on life, love and other catastrophes. And the Matildas! Sunday morning saw us up early again and volunteering at Thorndon Juniors. It was my third visit and Sarah's first. We were under the expert guidance of RD Jonathan Morgan and absolutely delighted to see Janet Reid arrived with granddaughter Zoe, plus familiar faces in Belinda Land, Anthony Patterson and ED Kirsty Shermer. Thorndon had a local school boosting numbers with children, parents and teachers, all something to do with a healthy living promotion the school was involved in and using parkrun for a way for the children to accrue activity points. They'd even arranged a free breakfast afterwards for the school community participants and the volunteers. This bolstered Thorndon's attendance to a record of 90, smashing their previous attendance record of 62. And well done to the Thorndon team for managing it all expertly. Now, before long, it was time for me to sadly bid my lovely friend goodbye and head back to Meltown. Just don't ask what time I eventually arrived home. I don't often have delays with flights, so I will say the ledger is tipped in my favour despite my unfortunate delay.

Interview Nikki Thomas — Co-Event Director, Stebonheath parkrun (Adelaide, South Australia); Run Down Under…

00:05:45Melissa Ellis: As I mentioned, I grabbed some audio with co-ED Nikki Thomas, so let's have a listen to that now. Okay, I'm here at the finish of Stebonheath parkrun and I've found somebody that I thought it would be very pertinent to talk to today. It's Nikki Thomas. She's wearing the current Rundown Under shirt. She's also the co-ED of Stebonheath parkrun. Welcome to the podcast, Nikki. Thank you. Good morning. It's nice to chat.

00:06:10Nikki Thomas: I noticed you did have another Rundown Under person here this morning to have a photo with. Yes, I did. I was scared that I was going to be on my own, but it was really nice to have our purple Karen join us.

00:06:21Melissa Ellis: Excellent. Now, you obviously participate, you've got the current shirt, so would you like to tell us a little bit about your Rundown Under journey?

00:06:28Nikki Thomas: Honestly, Rundown Under has been such a motivator since I started running myself, so I've been a Rundown Under member. I'll be excited to finish but it's just that every every run you're tracking how far you've gone around the country and seeing bits of the country or reading bits of the country that you wouldn't normally get to see during your normal life so it's like you know all of a sudden you're in Brisbane and you get to see a little bit of touristy about it and it's definitely that motivation and that sort of sense of achieving something so I love it it's really good and you're going to finish soon I believe yes I'm my estimated finish is the middle of july this year so I've got 850 something kilometres to go um and I am kind of hoping to push that forward a little bit because I've got a bit of a date in june so yeah it's definitely motivating me to get out and do a bit more time on my legs so have you been thinking about where you might finish it will it be here at Stebonheath uh I hate to admit it, but probably not. No, I've got a self-supported 100 kilometre run that I'm planning on doing in June. So I'm kind of hoping, crossing my fingers, that that will line up perfectly with the finish of Run Down Under. Fabulous.

00:07:47Melissa Ellis: Okay, so you're a big distance runner as well. I am very much a distance runner, yes. But what I want to ask you a bit about is Stebonheath. Did you want to talk to a little bit about, tell us about the event, maybe describe the course and have you been involved since the start?

00:08:01Nikki Thomas: So I took over as ED when we came back from COVID. So I've been part of Stebonheath for three and a half years now. Our course is absolutely beautiful. What I love about it is the wetlands. We get a bucket load of wildlife. We're very trails, so it's all sort of gravelly. Having a, I call it a double loop, sort of a figure eight with two laps means that you're never on your own on course, regardless how many people we get here in the middle of winter. You're always kind of seeing somebody out or back or the other way. But just the community of Stebonheath parkrun is... I don't think you'd get it anywhere else. We are such a welcoming, inclusive, supportive group. I love it. I absolutely love it. So we're in a suburban park surrounded by residential. Yes, we are. And it is very much residential and very much growing in the... space as well so lots of new stuff lots of you know we're getting a lot of new families coming to parkrun I've noticed in the last sort of probably the last year or so even more so is that we're getting a lot more people um with no pressure about you know and it's it's really good we're well supported by council we're well supported by the residents around the area and it's a really nice spot in the

00:09:25Melissa Ellis: and beautiful uh waterways as well I did notice you've got a great sign obviously sponsored by council I don't think parkrun um allows new events to do that so you're very lucky to have that sign and you've got a uh a qr code for registering as well so that's a great addition that would help we are very well supported by council they they've

00:09:45Nikki Thomas: Yeah, they do a lot for us with our, you know, painted finish lines and things that we're possibly not supposed to have. But, yeah, it is very well looked after.

00:09:55Melissa Ellis: Now, the Corellas are very noisy here today, so there's plenty of those around. You've got a co-ED, I believe, is that right?

00:10:03Nikki Thomas: Yep, huge shout-out to Leanne, who's recently come on as ED this year. She's not here today, but, you know, she does a fantastic job. And, yeah, between... And our core volunteer group is amazing as well. So huge shout out to those people. Everybody is super friendly. And if you see a vest, you can definitely say hi and you'll get a smile and a welcome, that's for sure.

00:10:29Melissa Ellis: Now, you're an ultra runner. So what about a parkrun tourist?

00:10:32Nikki Thomas: Do you get around many different events? That was probably most of my push to help or encourage Leanne to come on as co-ED so that I can actually get out and do a bit more touristing. I am very much looking forward to going to see Belair, which has opened up in South Australia this year, last year. So yeah, I would like to do a bit more touristing.

00:10:54Melissa Ellis: Fabulous. Well, thank you very much for talking to me today. Good luck with your Ultra. Good luck with finishing Run Down Under. And thank you for helping out with Stebonheath parkrun. Thank you very much.

00:11:04Nikki Thomas: Happy to chat about running.

00:11:08Oliver Spake: Well, it sounds like you certainly made the most of the weekend there, Mel. And I am glad that you got the memo about the correct parkrun to attend. Yes. Those that listened to the end last week. Fortunately, you were one of those.

00:11:25Melissa Ellis: Yeah, I really need to keep across where I'm supposed to be going a bit better. But yeah, I did arrive home very late on Sunday evening and subsequently didn't really get enough sleep. So I appreciate the fact, Ollie, that you agreed to delay the podcast recording. We usually record on a Monday night. I was very tired and I hadn't had the time I needed to prepare for the pod. So thank you for delaying to tonight, which is Tuesday, right?

00:11:54Oliver Spake: Well, my pleasure, Mel. It's good to catch up. And I suppose not dissimilar to you, I was also coming home late on a Sunday, not quite as late or delayed as some. So nonetheless, it was a good opportunity for me to settle back into the week. And it's good to have you back and rested.

00:12:16Melissa Ellis: Thank you. But tell us about your parkrun day because very unusually, Oliver, you had an adventure.

00:12:24Oliver Spake: I had an adventure. For the fifth time, I went to Batemans Bay parkrun, which is on Yuin country on the south coast of New South Wales. And it is a favourite spot for those of you that might have listened to the pod over the last couple of years. You might recognise about this time of the year. I do go with Kathy and the kids and the in-laws down to a beautiful spot on the coast in Yuin country there called Lake Conjola, which just happens to be located in between Huskisson and Batemans Bay parkruns. It Typically, it's been a toss-up between the two, but the Husky Tri Festival was on at the weekend. So this was an opportunity for me to back up and go to Batemans Bay for the second year running. It might be the third, but I think it's the second year. And I managed to drag... willingly um let's say willingly uh along with me two other adventurers and uh Hannah and James who were down with us for the weekend as well of course um were up and um about as bright and bushy as I don't know a brick wall and um yeah they came on down and walked the course But, yeah, Batemans Bay parkrun for their 344th event, I believe it was, was an absolute pleasure. The weather was coolish, which was nice. But, unfortunately, Mel, I missed some parkrun royalty, some Shellharbour parkrun royalty, in fact, by one week. I missed Em and Brendan. Yeah.

00:14:00Melissa Ellis: Oh, of course. I saw in the pod notes and I'm like, I was a little bit confused. How did I not put that together?

00:14:07Oliver Spake: That's right. Yeah.

00:14:09Melissa Ellis: You had a little bit of Victorian royalty at your home event too. We did and I wasn't there. I wasn't there. I know.

00:14:13[crosstalk]

00:14:17Oliver Spake: You had Nana and Pa. That's right, volunteering as well, voluntouristing. I know. So I'm sorry, Nana and Pa.

00:14:25Melissa Ellis: So shout out to Vicky and John Smith who were at Schlaba.

00:14:26[crosstalk]

00:14:29Oliver Spake: Schlaba, that's right, that's right. No, look, I suppose Batemans Bay is becoming a home away from home. It was a highlight. There was a nice shout-out in the crowd for one of their returning regulars. And returning, I say, because the week before he was over in New Zealand. Across the ditch, running the Tarawera Ultra Trail 100 miler, like some of our adventurer community that I have noticed as well. So kudos to those. I know that whether or not they're all Adventurers Club members, I'm not sure. But those that have been friends of the podcast have been over there and, yeah, that was spectacular effort from those.

00:15:13the Birthday Boy: But yeah. Yes, a nice weekend away.

00:15:17Oliver Spake: Some of my favourite spots, the Narrawallee Creek Reserve is absolutely beautiful. I love the chance to run out there and see the kangaroos and the wildlife along the way, but I'm very sorry to report that my laser tag is no longer. We had a tradition of going and playing laser tag as an extended family, which has always been chaotic, but it's shut. All good things.

00:15:44Melissa Ellis: But, Ollie, speaking of just while we're on the topic because you mentioned the Huskisson Tri. Yes. And I thought I would just get a little shout out to Aileen. Yes. Fellow cheetah. She actually competed in the Husky Tri. Yes.

00:16:01Oliver Spake: Yeah, she certainly loves a good triathlon, doesn't she? So, yeah, well done. It's always been a popular event and what a spot to have it as well. And, Mel, I suppose to wrap up my parkrun experience, I managed to run the course finish and then I walked most of the second lap with Hannah and James, which was particularly nice because they were almost right at the back of the pack. Yeah, I thought it was fitting because on my drive down, I did get to listen and it was a nice touch to hear some love for the back of the pack and some different perspectives. And it was great to see some of the feedback and discussion from last week's episode talking about the walkers there.

00:16:43Melissa Ellis: Nice segue, Ollie. Yes, it's not the back of the pack, though. It's the party at the back.

00:16:50Oliver Spake: Oh, yes. Sorry. I'm so ingrained with the city to surf language, not even embracing our own linguism.

00:16:58Melissa Ellis: Yes. So we did have some comments and we started off with Sarah and I struggle always to know how to pronounce Sarah's name. So I would like, Sarah, if you can like get in touch with us and give us a bit of a tip so we can from here on in get your pronunciation correct.

00:17:16Oliver Spake: We figure it's the least we can do. Yeah. Yeah.

00:17:19Melissa Ellis: Jantscher Sarah Jantscher anyway yeah something fancy with some consonants that I can't put together but she said my friend got overtaken by the Tail Walker and hasn't been back to parkrun by herself she's okay going with me because I stand my ground so good on you Sarah you do that

00:17:43Oliver Spake: Now, may I read out the next? Please. Belinda Taylor said, I really liked Simon's mention of the Tail Walker who asks people if they would like to walk and chat or have the Tail Walker walk behind them, something I will take on board in future tail walks. I have had a few walking experiences where Tail Walkers, A, did not take the hint that I didn't feel like chatting, and the faster I walked, the faster they walked. B, pushed way too hard with comments. Come on, girls, you can get under 60 minutes. These are not parkruns I would hurry back to. Luckily, I haven't been overtaken by a Tail Walker, but I know a few of my walker friends have.

00:18:27Melissa Ellis: And we also heard from Vicky Smith, a.k.a. Nana. And she said, we volunteer a lot as Tail Walkers and are happy to walk at a slow pace to allow for those that need the extra time. Sometimes it's me.

00:18:41Oliver Spake: And I think some great perspectives because, yeah, our community I feel are quite in touch with a whole range of parkrun experiences and different parkrun communities. So it's nice to hear from you all. But, yeah, thanks again, Vicky, and congratulations on your one hour, 10 minute and 33 second first time finish time as a Tail Walker at Shellharbour.

00:19:07Melissa Ellis: I look forward to chatting to Vicky all about her experience at Shellharbour when she's back at Juniors.

00:19:13Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:19:14Melissa Ellis: But also, let's not forget, Ollie, we have a lot of very fast runners in our community too. So if those very fast runners would like to get in touch with us and let us know how they feel, just equally, we would be more than happy to give you the platform. Yes.

00:19:32Oliver Spake: Equal, equal, equal. Yeah, yeah. And it's absolutely a truth of... The opportunity to hear everyone's stories and perspectives. So, yeah, please keep it coming.

Emails

00:19:45Oliver Spake: Speaking of which, an early email, but on the subject of, I suppose, news and discussion, we're slipping this one in here. So thank you to Steve Warwick, who wrote in following your supposition about blood donations, Mel, which was a lovely email. A lovely cause. I don't think I'll be doing it too soon since I am apparently anemic. Oh, yes, you can't. But, you know, give me time, give me time. But Steve said, hi, Mel. It can take up to a couple of weeks to fully recover depending on different circumstances. A plasma donation, on the other hand, only takes two to three days from memory. I prefer plasma donations because I can do it more often and And I can have a jog that afternoon, though it wouldn't be officially advised to do so. Steve.

00:20:35Melissa Ellis: Oh, okay. So I could potentially have still been affected by my blood donation. That's what I take from that. But you know what else I take from that? This week I should be good.

00:20:45Oliver Spake: Yes, that appears to be the case. Yes.

00:20:49Melissa Ellis: Now we also, this week, parkrun Australia shared that they have launched a limited edition crew length sock range. Yes. I would bring this up, Ollie, because I saw said socks and I kind of thought they looked quite funky. And they said, you will never forget your barcode with these new parkrun Crew length socks. Proudly made in Australia, the parkrun Crew socks have a coloured left and right fit to improve support and protect high impact areas, as well as thermoregulating and moisture wicking yarns to provide maximum comfort whether you volunteer, walk or run. So these are pretty. Special socks.

00:21:33Oliver Spake: They are. They are. And only when you've been reading that out have I actually detected that they are made in Australia. So I haven't done my research here. First time ever, honestly. Scout's honour. Does that mean our overseas parkrunners can't order them? Is it just the parkrun Australia shop? Yeah. Sorry, folks.

00:21:56Melissa Ellis: Yeah, I would say so. Did I read that correctly? Yes. Contoured left and right or did I say coloured left? Did I say contoured?

00:22:04Oliver Spake: Write in and let us know, folks.

00:22:09Melissa Ellis: I'm just wondering if I read it wrong. But anyway, so I did look at these and I thought, oh, they look cool. Do I need socks? No, I don't. Do I run long distances? No, I don't. But they look pretty and that makes me want them.

00:22:21Oliver Spake: I like the sound of a moisture wicking yarn as well. Oh. Ollie.

00:22:28Melissa Ellis: Ollie.

00:22:32Oliver Spake: Just verbally, not the idea of it, just verbally.

00:22:36Melissa Ellis: Go and talk to Brendan Peel about saying moist, really, seriously.

00:22:38Oliver Spake: Okay, sorry, yes. But just a clarification for those that have asked, no, it's not your own barcode on the socks.

00:22:49Melissa Ellis: No, and I actually, when I looked at it, they looked more like tokens in multicoloured and, like, I got really confused because I'm like, hang on a minute, this isn't, like, technically correct. Like, my brain goes to the fact that neither barcodes nor tokens come in all those pretty colours, so what are they doing? Anyway, I guess that's art.

00:23:11Oliver Spake: That's right, and you and I are clearly not getting jobs in the parkrun marketing department.

00:23:17Melissa Ellis: Yes, because they would be the most boring socks. Anyway, now, but all things aside, Ollie, where's this box? Did you, like, there was some, like, the Learjet, apparently we have Learjet, and apparently there was a box, but I know nothing, and Simon's asking, and I don't know.

00:23:37Oliver Spake: Well, okay, yeah, first things first. Sorry I had to take the Learjet to the south coast and unfortunately you had to wait for your public flight.

00:23:44Melissa Ellis: I had to go on Jetstar.

00:23:48Oliver Spake: from from Radelaide um yes the mystery box um would have been handy yeah look I saw the mystery box um but The Office Lady she took it away without letting me know uh exactly what was inside um so I have been told that I'll have to wait to palm like everyone else so I'm out of the loop oh rude it's no special no special treatment for the hosts No, absolutely not. So, yeah, look, stay tuned. But I guess, yeah, we'll just have to wait till Palm.

00:24:22Unidentified speaker: Okay.

00:24:23Oliver Spake: Either that or just keep your eyes peeled around level two. Yeah. And I'm pretty sure Simon's got the Learjet next week too, Mel. So, sorry. What? But now that that's sorted, I think it's time maybe you and I took a bit of a A refreshment with a glass of water and let someone else do the talking.

00:24:40[background music]

Roving reports & the Channel 5 News crew

00:24:44Oliver Spake: We've got two roving reports, Mel, so let's have a listen to those.

Roving report Tracey Wood — Broadbeach Waters parkrun

00:24:57Tracey Wood: Good morning, parkrunners. It's Tracey in a Tutu and I have found myself at the Gold Coast. Yes, I am chasing the NENDY again and I have a surprise visitor with me this morning.

Talking to P2 — parkrun tourist / Tracey Wood's surprise companion at Broadbeach Waters (on-air…

00:25:07Tracey Wood: Good morning.

00:25:08P2: Good morning. Good morning.

00:25:10Tracey Wood: It is, of course, P2. Yes, Edie, he is travelling solo this week. Good to see a familiar face. Now, P2, what can you tell me about this course?

00:25:20P2: It's a lovely course. It's an out and back. Sorry, out and back with a loop. You head along some grass, follow the path, do two laps around the park and then come back. Very enjoyable.

00:25:32Tracey Wood: All right, well, I have not done this one, of course, as I'm chasing my NENDY. Oh, looks like we're about to start the race briefing, so I might need to get over there. Sorry, stay tuned.

Talking to Danielle — Broadbeach Waters parkrunner and Run Down Under member

00:25:44Tracey Wood: Hello again, I'm out at Broadbeach Waters parkrun course and I've seen a lovely lady wearing a Rundown Undershirt. Hello, how are you and what is your name? Danielle. And I heard mention of a Rundown Under event today. Can you tell me about the event and why you're wearing the shirt?

00:26:04Danielle: It's a virtual running app that we run virtually around Australia and other places as well, depending on which map that you choose. And you pay a subscription yearly and you can buy your T-shirt and then you get a matching medal each year once you go through your steps. And then you just keep clocking off your kilometres until you reach 14,000. I think it's 87. So you can just sign up whenever you like and then just start running.

00:26:33Tracey Wood: And where are you on the map, Danielle?

00:26:35Danielle: I'm nearly at Dalby.

00:26:37Tracey Wood: Oh, awesome. Good work, you. Now, I heard someone say something about today it was a good day to wear your shirt. Why is that?

00:26:45Danielle: It's parkrun Down Under Day. So every shirt that is worn today for parkrun, they donate. I think it's a dollar each shirt for the whole country.

00:26:54Tracey Wood: Awesome. And now tell me, is this your home parkrun?

00:26:58Danielle: No, we like to try different parkruns. I normally do main beach parkrun a lot, and we've started coming to Broadbeach Waters quite a lot as well.

00:27:06Tracey Wood: Oh, awesome. So you've been here before.

00:27:09Danielle: Do you like this course? We do. It's quite a nice, even kind of flat course, so you can do quite a quick parkrun, and it's good for starting out, so not too many hills as well.

00:27:22Tracey Wood: That's fantastic. Thank you for chatting with me.

00:27:25Danielle: No worry. Thank you.

Talking to Nigel — Run Director on the day, Broadbeach Waters parkrun

00:27:28Tracey Wood: Hi, team. I've huffed and puffed my way around Broadbeach Waters parkrun only to find Nigel, the Run Director of the day, at the finish line. Hello, Nigel. How are you? Good morning, and thank you for being here. Thank you. I'm chasing my NENDY today, so I've come to a different event. Tell me your parkrun story. How long have you been run directing here?

00:27:49Nigel: My dear, I've been here since the start. We're into our 10th year. Today was our 441st run. And I think next week is my 300th official volunteer, which when it adds up, it's almost 600 for jobs that we do. I've won this event here 31 times. So I'm a part of the furniture, I guess.

00:28:11Tracey Wood: Well, that's absolutely awesome. What is an outstanding feature of Broadbeach Waters parkrun? What would you like people to know about it?

00:28:18Nigel: Look, I'm a bit biased. It's a good parkrun. It's a good course. It's a flat course. It's a very picturesque course, but I'm biased, of course. Look, it's a lovely setting. Like I say, it is picturesque. It's flat. It's on cement. And we're celebrating our 10th year and to celebrate 441 parkruns, that's a wonderful thing. I was just saying earlier, when we first started, it was a big week for us to get 45 people. And to get 60, we didn't know what, but we're averaging over 150 a week now. So it is enjoying considerable growth, as it is parkrun throughout the globe.

00:28:57Tracey Wood: Now, I noticed last night your roster looked absolutely empty for the next month or so, but I checked this morning and it suddenly populated. What's the go with that?

00:29:08Nigel: Well, what we do, we don't turn anyone away. If anyone wants to volunteer, they're welcome, but we don't plan out. If you turn up on the day, you'll get a job. We've had people... total strangers and we welcome them with open arms. But what happens when we put them in the roster, they're no-shows. So we've given up faith. We've got a dedicated band of volunteers that give up their energy and resource religiously every week. We're never short. But people say they're coming in and they don't. So we welcome anyone with open arms on the day. And if they're on the roster daily, We're welcome, but the fact is that they're not reliable, so we stick to those people that are reliable.

00:29:51Tracey Wood: And how did today's event go? No hassles?

00:29:54Nigel: No, it was good, as far as I'm aware. We're still going. We're up to about number 138 now. There's still members, participants out on course, but we're at the 51-minute mark now, so... Our parkrun usually finishes at about 5.55, so the results should be up by 8.15 and all the on-course photos and the finished photos will be up by around 9.30 on the Broadbeach Waters Facebook page.

00:30:22Tracey Wood: Nigel, thank you for talking with me. Have a good day.

00:30:25Nigel: You're welcome.

Roving report Alison Fraser (King) — Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun

00:30:28Alison Fraser (King): Kia ora koutou adventurers, it's Alison here reporting in from across the ditch. Today I am at Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun, which is in Papamoa on the North Island of New Zealand. Papamoa is part of the Tauranga district. So if you're coming over and fancy a bit of a beach holiday, this is the place to be. [te reo Māori: "Hello / greetings to you all, adventurers"]

00:30:49Nikki Thomas: So let's see who I can have a chat with this morning.

Talking to Helen Bischel — Founding Co-Event Director, Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun (Papamoa, New Zealand)

00:30:53Alison Fraser (King): So I'm at the finish here with Helen Bischel who is the founding Event Director and I saw you out running the course today or Co-Event Director I should say you and Tina but you were able to have a run this morning.

00:31:04Helen Bischel: Absolutely yes you've got to have some perks of the job.

00:31:08Alison Fraser (King): What's the story behind Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun? How did a parkrun come to be here?

00:31:14Helen Bischel: To be honest with you, I just signed up, saw something on Facebook about a trial run that was happening in Papamoa and I was like, yes, because I always used to have to make the trek over to Tauranga. So I think it was Jason from Puarenga in Rotorua that sort of brought the trial to Pap and there was a really lot of interest there. And, well, I would say probably 10 months later, I think we finally got it over the line. But, yeah, it was much needed and really wanted it to happen. And I was just one of the ones that sort of stepped up to do it.

00:31:45Alison Fraser (King): It's a unique course, I think. It's definitely unique in New Zealand. Do you want to give the listeners a bit of a description?

00:31:52Helen Bischel: Yes. Well, we talk famously about the capital H-shaped course. I didn't realise what a thing that would turn into be. But it took us quite some time to work out you know, how we could make an interesting 5K course when we're surrounded by roads either side. We've got a bridge in the middle. Obviously, we can't cross the road. So we, you know, we wanted to try and avoid the repetitive loops if we could. And the H shape was born. So, yeah, what's really nice is that actually Every aspect of it is a two-way track. So you're constantly seeing the same people, saying hello to the same people, you know, words of encouragement on every leg of the course. So a lot of people like that aspect.

00:32:34Alison Fraser (King): Yeah, it is pretty sociable. And what's your parkrun story? How did you find out about parkrun in the first place?

00:32:42Helen Bischel: So I've been over in the UK for a long time, sorry, New Zealand for a long time, but originally from the UK. But I was already here when it was born over there, but I went over one year my brother said oh let's do such and such and I registered in the UK but the irony was because it was massively snowing that day I thought oh well it'll never happen so I just slept in little known to me all my family did it and and I did it so I was gutted I hadn't actually done one over there but yeah just when I arrived back saw there was one in Tauranga and got great start started sort of doing it there but really wanted one that was local because um uh yes it's on the doorstep yeah and it's about 20k's isn't it over to the Tauranga parkrun yes it's it just it's not far but you know on a Saturday morning when you know ideally you want to just stumble across one um it's sort of you know 35 minutes or so just to from from Papamoa to get over there so that's that's been our sort of market because we've got locals that actually don't want to make that trek when they should be having a lie in oh fair enough and uh we'll be heading to the cafe shortly it's it's quite a good cafe it is we're lucky enough to have a bit of a garden centre there's a beautiful outdoor area there's a nice little boutique shop and uh I hear we got the shout out for the one of the best in the running for the best hot chocolate so yeah yeah that was on the runs with the barcode Facebook group yeah we had a bit of a competition but yeah it was quite it was narrow between the winners but I reckon this has to be the North Island parkrun cafe Yeah, it's lots of fun. The deli cabinet, you can spend just minutes looking in front of it and drooling.

00:34:22Alison Fraser (King): Well, thanks for your time, Helen, and thanks for having an awesome parkrun here.

00:34:26Helen Bischel: Can I just also shout out to my co-ed, Tina, because we work really well together and it's a good little team and we have a core group of volunteers that are just absolutely awesome. And as we all know, we can't do these things without them. Cool.

00:34:40Alison Fraser (King): Thank you so much. Thank you.

Talking to Leanne — Event Director, Kate Reed parkrun, Launceston, Tasmania; parkrun Event Ambassador for…

00:34:43Alison Fraser (King): I found Leanne after Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun. How did you enjoy that, Leanne? It was an amazing parkrun. Can you tell us where you're from?

00:34:51Leanne: From Launceston, Tasmania.

00:34:53Alison Fraser (King): And what brings you over to do Gordon Spratt today?

00:34:56Leanne: I ran the Tarawera Ultra last weekend. So we've got a couple of weeks here in New Zealand as a recovery before we head back home.

00:35:05Alison Fraser (King): You said you ran the Ultra. There were four different events last week.

00:35:09Leanne: I ran the miler, which is 100 miles. It was my first miler.

00:35:12Alison Fraser (King): That's a lot of parkruns.

00:35:14Leanne: That was 33 parkruns, I think. Yeah. So, yeah, one or two parkruns. Yeah.

00:35:20Alison Fraser (King): And how are your legs feeling after that?

00:35:23Leanne: Surprisingly good, actually. I thought, I'm a streak runner, so I thought, how on earth am I going to run my 2Ks? the following day. But I actually did my 5Ks in a decent time today and I've managed 2Ks every day so far this week and yeah, surprisingly well.

00:35:39Alison Fraser (King): You're no stranger to parkrun. No. Can you tell the listeners how you're involved with parkrun?

00:35:45Leanne: Well, I've been involved in parkrun for over 10 years and I am the event coordinator director at Kate Reed parkrun in launceston I started that event around COVID I'm also an ea so I look after six different events in Tassie so yeah parkruns my life every sad day you'll see me at parkrun unless I'm running ultras yeah you went at parkrun last week no I was somewhere out in the bush thinking of all my friends who are parkrunning yeah yeah

00:36:17Alison Fraser (King): So you've done quite a few different parkruns in Australia and now New Zealand.

00:36:21Leanne: Yeah.

00:36:22Alison Fraser (King): How did this parkrun today compare? What made it different to any you may have done before?

00:36:27Leanne: Well, I love this one's like an H, I suppose. I was really good about this one. There's lots of out and back sections. So you could see people. It's a very social parkrun, which I loved. It was really good to see people and to say hi because there are a few people running this parkrun who I'd met previously at different parkruns or who I recognised. So it was really good to say hi to them as we were running through. Yeah, so it was great. Good one to come and do. Very friendly. It's a great parkrun.

00:36:56Alison Fraser (King): And you've been staying in Papamoa for the last week or so. Correct. Correct.

00:36:59Leanne: what would you say to listeners about why they should come to visit papamoa oh it's just an amazing you've got the beach which is for me has been a great recovery but you've also got the papamoa hills great place to walk if you want to do hill repeats I saw people doing those and then you've got the mountain I can't pronounce the name of that mount but yeah it's it's just a great vibe Yeah. Yeah.

00:37:22Alison Fraser (King): Well, you'll be welcome back any time, I'm sure.

00:37:24Leanne: Oh, we'll be back again. I'll have to do the miler again because being my first miler, I was very conservative. So I have to go back and actually run it this time. Yeah. Yeah.

00:37:33Alison Fraser (King): So maybe anyone who's planning on doing the Tarawera Ultra next year can come and do Gordon Spratt Reserve.

00:37:39Leanne: Oh, for sure. Yeah, great recovery parkrun. Yeah.

00:37:42[crosstalk]

00:37:42Alison Fraser (King): Well, thanks for joining us today.

00:37:44Leanne: Oh, no worries, Alison. Thank you.

00:37:48Alison Fraser (King): And that's a wrap from Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun. It's a lovely little parkrun with a field of usually around 50 to 60 parkrunners. But I think there were quite a few more there this week. I'm going to ask Axel who was on finished tokens if he can remember how many. Do you remember how many tokens you handed out?

00:38:08Danielle: About 94.

00:38:09Alison Fraser (King): 94. So that's a much bigger week than usual. So if you like smaller parkruns, Gordon Spratt Reserve is the place to be. That's it from me this week and I'll see you the next time I go off for a parkrun adventure.

00:38:15[background music]

00:38:31Melissa Ellis: And thank you to Tracey in a Tutu coming to us from Broadbeach Waters and Alison out at Gordon Spratt Reserve. A bit of rundown under flavour there for us, Ollie.

00:38:43Oliver Spake: Yes. And that's quite apt, isn't it? It certainly is, and I suppose recounting my own parkrun Day experience, I did notice a couple of shirts out there, but it's been impressive to see some of the representation there across Dazza's for, yeah, parkrun the World Day. Yeah. Yeah, Mel, for those of the adventurer community that aren't connected to Run the World or Run Down Under and may need a bit more information, thank you to our Office Lady for sharing some of said information. But it's now the 8th, consecutive year that Run the World has in fact rallied the community and made the day an absolute blast. So what started as a simple idea back in 2017 has grown into a big trend tradition where Run the World members flood parkruns and they flaunt the latest merch and snap some massive group photos along the way with many, many wonderful memories. But I suppose it's not just about supporting parkrun, although Run Down Under and Run the World has been a massive supporter and contributor to the parkrun movement. It's been a day that's fostered new friendships, sparked run clubs and brought smiles to everyone. So in part of the explanation we were provided, I suppose the question was, why parkrun? And that's because Run the World and parkrun share the same goal, and that's getting people out and moving. So this year, the focus was very much on that and on connection in bringing someone new to parkrun. So members were encouraged to invite neighbours, children, parents, friendly shopkeepers, anyone who'd never experienced the joy of parkrun. It was an absolute day to remember. And Whilst there were a huge number of suggestions and items included in the invitation, I think that idea of bringing someone new to parkrun is also always a fantastic element. And it's great to see the level of connection across the community and to hear some of the experiences, obviously, in your experience and your parkrun Day chat, Mel, and likewise with Tracey in her tutu with Danielle and But, yeah, thank you to everyone who got involved and shared the excitement. You know, the rewards from the day, a dollar was donated to each merch item picked up. I think it might have been the 2024 merch specifically, but I can't recall, to parkrun. And the largest group photo in the 2024 merch scored everyone a $20 gift card for the Run the World shop there. So, yeah. Yes. And it went on for those emailing with a pick with a newbie, the chance to win $500 to attend the parkrun of their choice. Yeah. And so we saw everyone geared up, spread the word and made parkrun the World Day the best one yet.

00:41:51Melissa Ellis: We have had Travis, who is the inspiration behind Run Down Under and Run the World. He has featured on the pod in the past, and we have alluded to the fact that he will be coming back soon. So keep an ear out. Tony will be interviewing Travis in the very near future so we will bring you more news on rundown under because we know our community loves rundown under I've done it myself in the past I think I was a member for the first three years so I do have the first three rundown undershirts in my collection and yeah it's a great initiative so uh We thank them very much for everything they do to contribute to the community.

Dazza's

00:42:33Melissa Ellis: But we also thank Dazza.

00:42:35Oliver Spake: Mel. Yes. Who was with us at the weekend.

00:42:38Melissa Ellis: Yes. We do, Ollie. And this week, Dazza said, how cute does Dazza look in his shirt? Not long now until the latest orders are dispatched. We love it when the comments in our Dazza's posts feature lots of zoomy shirt love. So how was your morning?

00:42:54Oliver Spake: And one of those adventurers responding to Dazza's question was Georgia Divine at the Beaches, parkrun, who said, by 8.10am, my pants had soaked through and I had wet undies from the rain. Laughing smiley face. And shared was a funny video of a soaked-looking Georgina with parkrun flag and a rainy beach in the background.

00:43:21Melissa Ellis: But, Ollie, that wasn't all. We also heard from Sonja Pohlman coming to us from the Beaches and she said, peak beaches weather for volunteering, Dazza. And there was a photo of Sonja looking very soaked and windswept.

00:43:38Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:43:38Melissa Ellis: So not great conditions at the Beaches this Saturday.

00:43:43Oliver Spake: However, over in Wagga or Wagga Wagga, in fact, Eva Blanda said, a frond of geocachers where the Venn diagram of parkrun adventurers meets geocaching. Thanks to Geocaching NSW for expeditioning to Wagga Wagga and parkrun adventurers for bringing us all together. Mark, Mark, Kitty. And the photo there was of Eva and a group of geocachers with the Wagga selfie frame.

00:44:13Melissa Ellis: Now, we also heard from Alison King coming to us from Gordon Spratt in New Zealand. She said, Axel and I adventured up the road to Gordon Spratt Reserve parkrun. He handed out the tokens. The RD said he was the best tokens volunteer he'd ever had and I achieved a new course PB. Also debuted my new milestone shirt. A perfect morning. P.S. Axel's now 12, so despite the photo, he did enjoy himself. And there was a photo of Alison and a very serious-faced Axel. And just by the by, Leanne Evans also posted from Gordon Spratt Reserve.

00:44:51Oliver Spake: And remiss of me not to mention earlier, Alison did add to her email with the roving report, Gordon Spratt, for a bit of context, in case we haven't covered it previously in the pod, was a local councillor and dairy farmer, and the reserve is named for him. Ah. But continuing our adventures, checking in at Dazza's, we heard from Chris Ruse.

00:45:13Melissa Ellis: Ruse.

00:45:14Oliver Spake: Ruse. Rhymes with Moose, yes. And Chris said, I've loved all of the touring I've done with Nathan, but today we just had to celebrate the start of Nathan's wedding day with parkrun at Home with our Khaki family. It was the perfect start to the perfect day. And the photo there was of Chris, Nathan, and fellow groomsmen. Nathan had a va-groom balloon on. And they're all wearing bow ties.

00:45:46Melissa Ellis: Yes, and it's unusual to see the grooms. Usually you see the brides and the bridesmaids doing the pre-wedding parkrun, but I just wanted to wish a special congratulations to Nathan and, of course, Chris, and thank you for sharing out there at Karki Parki of obviously that's Karkarook parkrun in the greater state. But, Ollie, we also heard from Felicity Castellan out at Koonwarra, and she said, run the world shirts for today at Koonwarra parkrun. Last week was cancelled due to trees on the course. Luckily, the trail was cleared, ready for all trail users by Thursday. Coffees for everyone. And there was a photo of nine run-down underers running on the reopened Kearney Trail. Now, I do believe this was in the aftermath of the bad storms that they had in the area out there, which is in Tox Gippsland, Greater Region.

00:46:37[crosstalk]

00:46:46Oliver Spake: Yes, so it's good to see the trail reopened there and hopefully everyone, if not already well and truly back on their feet, things are getting back to normality and recovery there for everyone that's had to fare through those storms. Oh, I'm just glad we didn't have to combine the rundown unders and the undies because that would be a very... Rundown undies. Rundown under, yeah. Okay, moving on. Adrian Luscombe at Templemore in Ireland who said, brilliant morning at Templemore. And the photo there was of Adrian pictured in front of some ruins and a graveyard with blue skies. I liked that background there.

00:47:09[crosstalk]

00:47:28Melissa Ellis: We also heard from Tamsin Smith at Southampton in the UK. 1,161 other participants turned up to celebrate my birthday at Southampton parkrun today. It was a cold morning and the freezing rain shower 15 minutes in meant that everybody was steaming by the end. And the photo was of a panoramic view of the crowd from Southampton parkrun. So I'd Do assume the other two Smiths were there with Tamsin and let's wait and see how the largest frond goes.

00:48:04Oliver Spake: That's right. But another nice photo, I must say. I like the steam rising there. But... Over in the US of A, we heard from Janice Whittle, who was at Weedon Island, saying, this morning I completed my first international parkrun doing Weedon Island Preserve parkrun in America. And Janice was pictured there with the Weedon Island Preserve pop-up and a parkrun teardrop banner.

00:48:28Melissa Ellis: I almost wanted to question it being Weedon Island Preserve because I feel like it should be reserve and that it's a typo. But no, because the event was actually tagged. So it is preserve.

00:48:43Oliver Spake: Yeah, this one's not me.

00:48:45Melissa Ellis: But anyway, well done, Janice, and good to see that you're out adventuring overseas. Now, we also heard from Chloe Bravos, who comes to us from the West Side. No Zoomy shirts today, but Team Bravos is finally able to parkrun together again. Saw fellow adventurer Dave Allmark at Aveley parkrun on a very humid morning. At least the cool temps were a nice change from the awful week in the 40s. And we had a photo of Team Bravos. And we look forward to seeing them very soon at Palm. We've got a bit of a group coming from WA, Ollie.

00:49:22Oliver Spake: That's wonderful. Quite the hike. So, yeah, we look forward to seeing you all. Another adventurer checking in, this time from Tassie, and it was Val Warwick who said, Oh Dazza, all I can say is wow, wow, wow. Zeehan Golf Club parkrun was worth the two and a half hour drive through the mountains and bends. This small group of locals had quite a lot of us getting our Zed, enjoying our adventuring. We came from Yorkshire, WA, Queensland, and all over Tassie. Today, I had my unofficial 200, became an alphabet tier, and reached Kate Goona on my Run Down Under journey, which was pretty satisfying on Run the World at parkrun Day. Anyway, the trail winds uphill through beautiful ferny landscapes. The trail is rather rocky, but not difficult. Wonderful. And the photo there shared of Val and Steve at Zeehan.

00:50:23Melissa Ellis: Hooray and congratulations, Val, on all those achievements.

the Obi Award — Felicity Castellan

00:50:28Melissa Ellis: But, Oliver, as is your duty as the male co-host, there should be an envelope. Hopefully it's not with the box, wherever that is.

00:50:41Oliver Spake: No, thankfully it's not with the box. It is right here. It has been provided. And special thanks, Dazza said to say special thanks to someone from the sunniest parkrun around for helping Dazza out with the attendance. And this week the Obi goes to... A swather of run-down undershirts.

00:51:08Melissa Ellis: Hooray. That is actually Felicity Castellan coming to us from Cooney. Congratulations. Hooray.

00:51:17Oliver Spake: Yes, that's right. Congratulations, Felicity, and well done to everyone involved in the effort there. Now, there is another message here in Dazza's, which is around our best wishes here to the community at Beaufort Lake parkrun.

00:51:34Melissa Ellis: That's right, Ollie. I added this in because Beaufort Lake parkrun was closed on Saturday due to the surrounding bushfires. If anybody's been following the news, I do believe the news has reached internationally because I had a message from Johan asking me how far away I was from said fires. And fun fact, I'm about an hour from Ballarat and and just a little bit further from where the fires actually are. So we send our support to Beaufort Lake and hope that over the coming days and weeks you remain safe and can return to your parkrun. as soon as it is safe to do so. Now, we do have in Victoria and especially in that region where Beaufort Lake parkrun is situated, a catastrophic fire warning for tomorrow. We've got extreme conditions. Everybody from that area has been asked to leave their properties and evacuate to safer places. So, yeah, so we're experiencing that at the moment. Not unusual for February in Victoria to have this fire season upon us. It's usually always somewhere different and this year it's out my way. So, yeah, we're just thinking of the community and we hope that you all stay safe.

00:52:57Oliver Spake: Certainly echo those thoughts, Mel. And, yes, we have our whole range of conditions across our country and the world. So, yeah.

00:53:08Melissa Ellis: We are a sunburned country.

00:53:09Oliver Spake: We are.

Emails

00:53:10Oliver Spake: We are. But, Mel, we had an email earlier in the pod. We actually have another email. We've got mail. You've got mail. And this one is from Calum Burrell, who said, Hi there, Melissa, Simon, TOC, Ollie, and the Office Lady. Like Mel, I was slightly perturbed when I heard there was some sort of stats removal on the parkrun website of Freedom Run logs. After looking at my profile page and results page, it would appear that we can all still be able to log Freedom Runs. What I believe has been removed is the table of freedom runs that yourself and other people have done in the last week or so. Basically, you used to be able to see a table of recent freedom runs that folk had done. I think I sort of stumbled across it. Again, it wasn't that obvious to find on the parkrun website. The only evidence I should say I have of this existing is a screen grab of five Freedom Runs I once did on the same day back in August 2020. It was part of a running club challenge tied in with the number five to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Davenport Runners. I decided to do five Freedom Runs of Burnage parkrun, and they were all completed before 9am, the traditional start time of parkrun in the UK. I've included the screenshot in this email, unfortunately not including the full table, but just the entries that related to me. I hope this proves to be useful, as people might not have realised that this table of Freedom Runs actually existed. Kind regards, Calum Burrell, A461587.

00:54:54Melissa Ellis: Yeah, and thank you, Calum, for writing in because I was confused when Simon brought this up last week and I probably assumed incorrectly that parkrun had removed their option to actually record a Freedom Run and that is not the case. We can still record Freedom Runs and they still appear in our personal results. But yes, as Calum correctly points out, it was a table that was available through the individual parkruns websites of people that had completed Freedos at their event in probably in the... the week that has been removed like but why how can that be competitive I don't understand how that could possibly been seen as competitive some random tourists coming through the town and logging their freedom run at your event but anyway yeah it's gone so

00:55:55Oliver Spake: Yeah, yeah, and I suppose, yeah, at this point in time, we're open to interpretation in the absence of full clarity on the matter. But it is good to get an understanding from people's assistance. So thank you very much, Calum.

00:56:09Melissa Ellis: Yeah, fear not. We can still log Alfredo's and we can still track the events, much like myself when I did that at Stebonheath in January.

00:56:17Oliver Spake: Yes, absolutely.

00:56:19Melissa Ellis: But anyway, Oliver.

00:56:20[background music]

the Birthday Boy

00:56:21Oliver Spake: Yes.

00:56:21Melissa Ellis: We've got the birthday boy. So let's have a listen to what he's got to say.

00:56:30the Birthday Boy: Howdy, it's the Birthday Boy here, with some of the goings on for March 2024. March has five parkrun days, so that could mean five chances for cake. But alas, there are no special days in March around the world. Though there is Easter on the final Saturday of the month, so perhaps a chance for some chocolate? The five regular parkrun days are week one on the second, then the ninth, 16th, 23rd, and the fifth week of the month is on the 30th. Are you planning to get your volunteer vibe on in March? Are you going away for Easter and having an adventure? An anniversary reminder first. Events may celebrate what they're like when they're like, so please check all details with the local source, i.e. their webpage and or their Facebook page. This is especially true for dress-ups, cakes, Easter bunnies, etc. is there anyone joining Main Beach New Farm Albert comma Melbourne or Kirra on 12. no but we do have two more events hitting their big 11 with paramount and New South Wales and Riverway in Queensland congrats to them Now let's check out the first anniversaries. We have two events on the books. We have the fabulously named Picnic Point Parklands parkrun, which is up palm24 way in Queensland, Toowoomba. And the other event celebrating their first is a custodial event, Spring Creek. Congrats to them both. What else is interesting this month? Well, there are 30 anniversaries spread over the five weeks, so there is something to celebrate every week. This month, let's celebrate great event names. In week one of March, we have Cascades on Clyde Wetlands parkrun, turning three. In week two, we have Albury Wodonga parkrun, turning 10. Week three, I have to mention them again, the fabulously named Picnic Point Parklands parkrun. Week four, Avondale University College parkrun are turning three. Will the slip and slide make a return to the finish chute? And in the final week of March, which is Easter Saturday, we have Mount Isa parkrun turning six, giving you plenty of time for your Queensland escape. Now, if you don't immediately know where these parkruns are, good. Your mission is to head to the event map on the parkrun website, type in a location or the event name, and see what pops up. Great for planning adventures. There are no junior parkruns having an anniversary in March. Insert sad face emoji. As with all parkrun adventures, the parkrun cancellations page is a valuable tool. See parkrun.com.au forward slash cancellations. The official cancellation page contains information for the coming weekend plus two further weeks. Be sure to check it again mid-month. Well, see you next month for some more birthday boy banter and be sure to let Mel, Ollie and the boys know if you have any requests.

00:59:50[background music]

01:00:01Oliver Spake: And thank you very much to the birthday boy. Mel, it is getting closer to Easter.

01:00:06Melissa Ellis: It is. And that means Easter adventures, Ollie. Do you have anything exciting planned?

01:00:13Oliver Spake: Sort of. Easter adjacent, yes. Easter adjacent. At this point in time, I don't know when I'll be able to run again soon. I've got a little bit of adjustment coming up, so medical adjustment. So, yes, it will mean no running for a couple of weeks, I believe, no walking, and I'm not sure on my volunteering opportunities either. But I hope to be good, well, and truly by Easter. And at this stage, We've penciled in Nulkaba in the Hunter Valley.

01:00:46Melissa Ellis: Wow.

01:00:47Oliver Spake: Yeah.

01:00:48Melissa Ellis: That's nowhere near Shlaba, is it?

01:00:52Oliver Spake: Yeah, that's right. Wow. It's the other side of Sydney, yes.

01:00:53[crosstalk]

01:00:56Melissa Ellis: You're doing real adventurous stuff.

01:00:58Oliver Spake: Except the weekend after Easter, but, you know, details.

01:01:00[crosstalk]

01:01:01Melissa Ellis: Oh, okay. Okay, well, you know, we're not going to be hearing from you that frequently, so that's still exciting. Yeah, if it happens, yeah, absolutely.

01:01:10Oliver Spake: We're going to cross our fingers for you. Yes, as will I. parkrun, Hunter Valley, Newcastle along the way. Yep, all the nice things. What about yourself, Mel? Cool.

01:01:22Melissa Ellis: I've got an Easter adventure. Very excited. I'm going to Coober Pedy. Yes, I've never been there. Fun fact, I have sent three of my older children there on school camp. Wow, and hoping to get a bit of opal experience while I'm there yeah so super cool and very exciting so looking forward to that and slotting that in before palm yeah so there's a lot to look forward to in the next couple of months a lot of travel just as well we have a learjet I'll say yeah

Consolidated Club Report

01:02:08Melissa Ellis: But let me tell you, Ollie, about the adventurers Consolidated Club Report for Saturday.

01:02:14Oliver Spake: I was just going to ask.

01:02:16Melissa Ellis: 24th of February, 2024. Of a total of 585 members, 446 took part on this date in six countries across 221 locations. Now, I do want to say that I kind of feel weird when I say six countries because when I say that... It does lump the UK as one country, and I know it's kind of a murky area because I feel like there's a few countries lumped into that terminology. But in any case, in the UK, there were adventurers at 38 events. There was five in South Africa, so that's a bit of an increase there, and three in the USA and three in Ireland. Locally, we had adventurers at... 45 events in New South Wales. 42 events in the Great Estate. 36 events in Queensland. 14 in South Australia. 12 on the West Side. 7 in Tassie. 6 in the ACT. 5 on the North Island. 3 on the South Island. And 1 in the Northern Territory.

the Frond — Pont y Bala parkrun (largest international frond, 8 adventurers); The Ponds parkrun (largest local frond, 10)

01:03:35Oliver Spake: Oh, yes, that's right. We had an international frond. But is this the point that I say is the greater state a little worried about falling further behind?

01:03:48Melissa Ellis: No. We're confident in our status. Thank you very much.

01:03:53Oliver Spake: Okay. Well, we did pose the question, where would the largest international frond be earlier in the podcast? The answer being Pont y Bala, if I've got any hope of getting that pronunciation correct, where there were eight adventurers, including Mark Perkins, James Avery, Nigel Lane, Andy Airey, Nadege Rata, Kat Lane, Rhiannon Taylor, and Debbie Airey. And Andy did actually post in Dazza's post. So shall I read out Andy's post? Please. Yes. Yeah, let's celebrate that too. So Andy said 70 of the Airways posse helped smash the Pont y Bala attendance records by 20% and a new volunteer record too. I also became the seventh person to complete the periodic table challenge. And Andy shared a photo of the group.

01:04:46Melissa Ellis: I was quite impressed with this and interested in this periodic table challenge. I'm not really aware of what it is, so maybe Andy would like to email us and give us an explanation of said challenge. Yes. But, Ollie, locally the largest frond was at the ponds. They had 10, but... Out at Panania, there was eight, and they were Cathy and Brett Crispin, John Pointon, Greg Brantman, Brie McGraw, Debbie Ho, Paul, the Viking Whelan, and Amy Miller. And special mention to Wagga and Wishart, who each had seven.

01:05:29Oliver Spake: Yes, so some great fronds popping up everywhere.

Launches and anniversaries"Where is the cake?"

01:05:34Oliver Spake: What wasn't popping up? Launches. No. No launches. Second week in a row of nothing.

01:05:39Melissa Ellis: Oh, they're saving them up. We must be up for a super Saturday soon.

01:05:44Oliver Spake: Oh, we must be. And speaking of nothing, as of time of recording, no reported PBs from our adventurers. Damn. Well done all the same, everyone. Yes.

01:05:55Melissa Ellis: But, Ollie, adventure and milestones we did have.

01:05:58Oliver Spake: We did. We did. So congratulations, firstly, to Pauline Taylor, who walked her 250th parkrun at Wishart.

01:06:04Melissa Ellis: Fabulous. Congratulations, Pauline. And please excuse if you can hear the pitter patter of Lucy's footsteps. For some reason, she's decided to join me in the study. I don't know what's going on, but something's upset her. But anyway, we also had Fern Patterson celebrating her 100th at Chermside. Congratulations, Fern.

01:06:25Oliver Spake: And congratulations also to Amy Kent for a 10th milestone at Wagga.

01:06:31Melissa Ellis: Wagga is popping up. It is. It's all about Wagga. And lastly, we had David Bennett, 250th milestone at Chaffey Park. Chaffey or Chaffey? I don't know.

01:06:43Oliver Spake: Nor do I.

01:06:44Melissa Ellis: Okay, congratulations, David. Better half off Bernadette.

01:06:49Oliver Spake: And everyone, of course, please remember, if you'd like to have us track these achievements as best we can, you can add The Adventurers Club as one of your five affiliations on your parkrun profile. And, of course, check out www.theinformant.me for all the stats.

01:07:10Melissa Ellis: That is correct. Now, looking forward, we have nothing on our program. I'm sure there's things that we're supposed to be tracking.

01:07:17Oliver Spake: Well, maybe Palm. Palm's coming up. And a reminder, of course, if you haven't confirmed in the Facebook events or gotten in touch, if you're not on Facebook, to let us know that you are attending any of those events, please jump in, mark attend, so that we can get those numbers right. And also, if you haven't sorted out your costume, there's a reminder for you and for me to sort out our costumes.

01:07:42Melissa Ellis: I've got mine.

01:07:43Oliver Spake: Well done. Well done.

01:07:45Melissa Ellis: I got mine sorted in South Australia. I'm so excited.

Sign-off

01:07:50Oliver Spake: Very happy. But so far as reminders go, yeah, not too sure. Not too sure. What about your next parkrun day, Mel? What's on the agenda?

01:08:01Melissa Ellis: Do you know what? What? got no idea. And that is literally honest. I do not have the ability to tour this week. So I'm going to be going somewhere local. I haven't decided yet where that's going to be because there's a couple of options I've got and I just haven't really sat down and nutted it out yet. So I can't tell you. Sorry about that. What about yourself, Ollie? Yeah. I'm going to Shellharbour.

01:08:36Oliver Spake: um yes yeah I will be having a because they've missed you a weekend or two at home that's for sure and um yeah I don't see any more adventures for a few weeks until my my hopefully trip to the Hunter so uh I will be about everyone you'll know where to find me uh please come on down but yeah I will be at we have our paces day first parkrun day of each month so looking forward to that and um Not sure what I'll be doing yet. Running, walking, volunteering. We'll see. Fabulous. Well, there's the mystery for you, everyone. But if you do have any feedback to any of our conversations or requests for feedback, as always, you can contact us via parkrun adventurers on our Facebook or our email, which is parkrunadventurers at gmail.com. That is it for another week, and we'll see you all next week for more adventures.

01:08:39[crosstalk]

01:09:25[outro theme playing]