More than 120 fitness-craving enthusiasts laced up their joggers for the New Year’s morning parkrun on the Taree foreshore.
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The first race of 2019 kicked off at 8am, with runners of all levels taking part; some for the first time and others with more than 100 runs under their belts.
Runners of all ages, some with their family members and others with a group of like-minded friends, headed off on the five kilometre course which starts at the Endeavour Place Reserve and comprises of two laps to the Martin Bridge.
The Taree parkrun group meets every Saturday morning at 8am for the five kilometre jaunt and this year decided to hold an extra one on Tuesday (January 1, 2019).
“Why not,” run organiser Margie Lewis said. “What better way to start off the new year.”
“It’s such a great community of people.”
Margie was volunteering during this event but is an avid runner herself, running most days as well as taking part regularly in parkruns.
The Tuesday run marked the 191th run held since the group started three and a half years ago.
“And we have 2012 registered runners,” Margie said.
The group averages around 100 runners each week with Saturday, December 29 seeing 184 people taking part, reaching close to the group’s 187 record.
People take part for many different reasons - to beat their last time, or for a bit of fitness and a catch up with friends. Some walk, some talk and some push prams but it’s all over within an hour.
Tuesday was the fifth time nine-year-old Emma Eschback has joined her mother Carrie on a run, while cousins Kendra Stackman and Madison O'Sullivan were taking part for the first time.
The Cambrells make it a family affair, with Peter and Lorna marshalling and daughter Zoe taking part in the run.
The New Year’s run marked a milestone for a few, with seven year old Riley Knoke reaching his tenth run, Chris Newell reaching 50 runs and Kimberly Wright and Kashanna Dreyer reaching 100 runs.
For Wingham runners, Eleanor Spence and Denis Duval it’s an addiction.
“I started in July,” Eleanor said. “And I’ve only missed two parkruns since.”
“My first was at The Entrance with my brother and I was hooked.”
The pair even made the weekly run part of a recent road trip with one run in Canberra, two in Tasmania and one in Bulli on the way back home.
For the New Year’s run they decided to volunteer as marshals for the first time.
“With over 20 runs, it was time to give back,” Eleanor said.
Taree parkrun relies on volunteers with runners asked to marshal at least three times a year with a team of 10 devoted to helping out a little bit more often.
Runs are not just in Australia, they can be found worldwide. It’s free and all about a bit of fitness and having fun in a friendly, safe environment.
For more information about Taree parkrun or to get involved, visit http://www.parkrun.com.au/taree/
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