Three years ago I started doing Lower Hutt parkrun and at the start of this year I set a goal of knocking off my 50th run by the end of the year! Had planned to do it last weekend but after a massive week of work I rolled out of bed at 905… too…
Every Sunday I’m already looking forward to next Saturday. It’s fantastically fun and challenging for me. Those 5km. The feeling when you once more reach the finish line, cheered on and encouraged by my faithful parkrun friends who are still waiting there, even though they have already finished. I’ve always walked. Quickly. When I…
In 2017, then 83-year-old Margaret Smith became the oldest woman in parkrun history to join the 250 Club. Three years on, she encourages other older people to join the parkrun family to tackle loneliness. I have always been very sporty and active. In my younger days (they’re not that long ago!) I was a keen…
Maeri Howard inspired her connections on social media to join her at parkrun. A breast cancer diagnosis shortly after turned her world upside down. Here she tells us how the connections she made at parkrun and the commitment to “show up” helped her continue to feel normal during her treatment. It’s my parkrunning…
On 4 July, parkruns across New Zealand ‘adopted’ another parkrun country to show support for those who were unable to resume their own parkruns. Anderson parkrun in Napier broke out the tartan in support of Scotland. Since that time they have maintained communication with their ‘adoptees’ by undertaking a virtual parkrun tour of…
With worldwide parkrun cancellations and no Saturday morning parkrun routine, many of us are finding knowing which day of the week it is a bit of a challenge. That’s not the case for Lower Hutt parkrunner Liz Neill however, who has been keeping an eye on the date recently. “It’s now a little…
Anne Bridgman is an Occupational Therapist who works in the Papanui High School in Christchurch that caters for 33 students who have a variety of special needs. A group of students and staff from the school have been regular Hagley parkrunners over the past couple of years and have improved their health, wellbeing and…
Here is a parkrunner profile with a difference! The Karaitiana family are regulars at Anderson parkrun and consists of Mum and Dad (Marc and Irene) and six children – Ezekiel, Ocean, Texas, Rain, Hunter and Glacier. The Karaitiana family tell us more about their parkrunning experiences… Name: Marc Karaitiana Occupation: Salesperson for a Health…
Wilson is a five-year-old Jack Russell terrier who is CRAZY about parkrun! He runs in Tauranga weekly and has done nine runs so far. When he hears the start horn he goes absolutely goes for it! He wants to get to the front and get a good time. So far his PB is 25:33,…
Sara Evans has just relocated from the other side of the world. At a time of change, upheaval and new beginnings, Sara tells us how important parkrun has been, and will be, as she sets up her new life in New Zealand. I started running in 2016; I had just qualified as a midwife, was…
