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    Wimmera River parkrun return after COVID-19 forced the group to halt the runs.

Long road to 100th Horsham parkrun

By SARAH MATTHEWS

Wimmera River parkrun leaders have been ‘thrilled’ to see community members and tourists re-embrace the event following a COVID-related break and are hoping for a big turnout for a special milestone.

Participants and volunteers will chalk up the 100th running of the event along the picturesque river course on Saturday morning from 8am. 

Co-event director Jackie Exell said although she felt the milestone was ‘a long time coming’ because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the parkrun community was looking forward to the weekend’s celebration. 



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“We will have some decorations and that sort of thing, but otherwise it’s just business as usual,” she said. 

Parkruns are weekly, free, five-kilometre timed events run around the world. 

There are more than 400 locations in Australia and more than 2000 worldwide. 

Horsham running enthusiasts Andrew Sostheim and Candice Muszkieta announced in May 2018 they were working on a project incorporating health, wellbeing and tourism benefits along with an ‘underused’ Wimmera River.

They and others launched Wimmera River parkrun in August and – bar a break thanks to COVID – it has gone from strength to strength.

Ms Exell said community spirit and camaraderie played an important role.

“It’s really encouraging and such a supportive community,” she said.

“We often say parkrun is a misleading title – it’s not about running. 

“We don’t mind whether people run or walk or somewhere in between. You can walk with a friend and go out for a cuppa afterwards. 

“A few people who have moved to town said it was a great way to meet people. People come for all sorts of reasons, including for their health and wellbeing.”

Ms Exell said there was also a tourism element involved.

Over the past few weeks, participants from Melbourne, Adelaide, Sydney, the Sunshine Coast, Echuca, Goondiwindi, Warragul, Hamilton and Mildura have completed the Wimmera course.

“One of the unofficial parkrun challenges is to do a parkrun starting with each letter of the alphabet. Because we’re the Wimmera River parkrun, people come to us looking for their W,” Ms Exell said.

“There are lots of unofficial parkrun challenges, so tourism is definitely a big thing. Plus, our course is very pretty. 

“It’s also nice and flat, so people come here hoping for a personal best.”

Personal milestones

Horsham teacher Rachel Hateley has completed all 99 Wimmera River parkruns to date and will celebrate her own milestone on Saturday. 

Ian Stansfield, a Balmoral resident originally from the United Kingdom, is chasing his 350th milestone in a few weeks. He runs in the 75-79 age group.  

“Ian has been amazing and shares his time between three different parkruns,” Ms Exell said.

“We hope he’ll do his 350th here in Horsham. 

“Rachel’s achievement is also amazing. She has also taken on a few volunteer roles over her time.”

Ms Exell said volunteers were vital to running the weekly event.

“We have a good little core of volunteers,” she said. 

“We encourage everyone to put down their name for a role on a week they are available. 

“There is full training and support, but all the roles are simple. 

“It’s designed that way – you can come and do your job and be done within the hour, most of the time, and go about the rest of your day.” 

Ms Exell encouraged people to give parkrun a go. 

She said people could visit website parkrun.com.au for more information or to register. 

RELATED: Rachel hooked on weekly parkrun

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