Every week, in nearly 500 communities across Australia, people come together to run (or walk) a five-kilometre course.
The events are known as Parkrun, and one of the most remote groups meets every week in Bass Strait, on Flinders Island.
Locals can socialize and keep fit while enjoying picturesque views of the beach.
Rodney Pitchford has completed almost 200 Parkruns. Source: Delivered
Rodney Pitchford has been participating in the Flinders Island Parkrun for almost five years and has completed around 180 Parkruns since then.
As the group heads down the track, Rodney follows the end of the peloton.
“I’ve had a few knee reconstructions and the physio at the gym recommended I do a park walk. So they said, ‘Oh, it’s a parkrun’. I said, ‘Well, I’m not running'”.
Walking is very common during this Parkrun. The average duration of the event at Whitemark Wharf on Flinders Island is approximately 43 minutes, 10 minutes slower than the national average.
It’s getting slower every year as people from all walks of life join in.
Flinders Island GP Lynne Davies is helping to organize the event along with the local physio – and she says they are proud of the slower average time.
“It doesn’t matter. We don’t care if people don’t do everything, we don’t care how fast people go, we are very proud of our Parkrun, that we have a very slow average finish time, and that reflects that we are inclusive people who walk at any speed – they are very welcome.”
Davies said the benefits of parkrun are well proven.
“It’s not just exercise, it improves social isolation and mental health.”
“The great thing about parkrun is that it’s free, it’s fair and everyone can access it. You don’t need any special equipment and you don’t have to commit.”
Flinders Island GP Lynne Davies says parkrun has many proven benefits. Source: Delivered
About six million people take part in the global phenomenon Parkrun.
It started in London twenty years ago and spread to 23 countries.
Most weeks, Flinders Island parkrun is attended by between 20 and 30 people – a good crowd for an island with a population of around 900.
For local farmer Tracey Stackhouse, the weekly event represents a chance to connect with her community.
“I found we were farming seven days a week, and there was no change, and one morning I said to my husband, ‘I might do Parkrun, I saw it advertised on Facebook,’” she said .
“We’ve been coming ever since and it’s wonderful now, coffee, cake, chat with a little exercise.”
In addition to the social benefits, Davies says local physiotherapists sometimes use parkrun as part of a treatment plan for his patients, to build strength before surgery, or for rehabilitation afterwards.
“I would encourage everyone to find out where your local parkrun is and join in. If you walk or run slowly, that’s fine, and you’ll be healthier, your mental wellbeing will be better too.”
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