PARKRUN will return. Taree run director Margie Lewis has given this assurance.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
However, Margie concedes she doesn't know when.
"It's getting closer,'' she said.
"But I wouldn't even guess as to when we'll be running again.''
Parkrun was shutdown world-wide in March because of the pandemic. Since then only New Zealand has returned.
Parkrun Global recently released a framework that would have to be introduced when parkrun is back running.
Margie agreed that Taree would comfortably be able to comply with the guidelines, particularly as there's no new confirmed COVID-19 cases in the Hunter New England Health Area.
The Taree parkrun starts and finishes at Endeavour Place, with runners negotiating the 5km track along the Manning River foreshore. The Taree course is rated among the best in the State and further.
"But it appears Parkrun Global wants parkrun to return as a country. Not region by region,'' she said.
Margie said problem areas would include social distancing in the 'funnel' at the start of the weekly 5km event along with contact when runners are given finishing tokens at the end of the run that are then scanned by volunteers.
"The advice is that pre-run briefings are also to be kept to two minutes,'' Margie added.
She said there would also be a degree of apprehension in the general community about an event that attracts more than 100 people each week and all in relatively close proximity.
"We also have people at parkrun who would be described as at risk,'' Margie explained.
"I'm one - I have extra vulnerability." (Margie has multiple sclerosis).
Another problem would be parkrun 'visitors' - people from other areas, possibly Covid hot spots, taking part.
"When it does return parkrun will be as close as possible to the original principles - it will be cheap, simple, people focused and relationship focused,'' she assured.
Taree parkrun started in October 2015 and since then there have been 254 events conducted with an average of 114 starters per week.
Taree was the catalyst for other Mid North Coast events beginning at Port Macquarie, Forster, Wauchope and Gloucester. Gloucester's first run was on January 26 this year.
