It has been more than five months since Benalla held its last parkrun – but now it’s back.
As the COVID-19 friendly, isolated-approved the (not)parkrun.
It’s not virtual (except for submitting times), but it is a viable substitute for our town’s frustrated parkrun runners (that’s a double positive, running is good for you).
All you have to do is complete a 5km walk, jog or run – on any route of your choosing – and then send in your times.
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Benalla parkrun co-coordinator Deb Robinson said the local club would remain patient, but not standing still, for parkrun’s return, and was encouraging locals to use Benalla’s surrounds to remain active through the COVID-19 lockdown.
“Benalla has a beautiful lake, it’s family inclusive, and inclusive of people in wheelchairs and bikes and scooters. People should get out for a walk at least once a week,” she said.
Earlier this month, parkrun Global released a COVID-19 framework for when it does return – although there is no indication when that will be.
In a website statement, parkrun Global chief executive Tom Williams said the company had intentionally published the framework in advance of reopening to progress conversations with partners and stakeholders around the world.
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Robinson said the framework identified a number of altered practices that would make it safer for parkrunners and volunteers when events resume.
“Part of the issue is congestion when you finish. One thing we might need to do is refine the finish, when people are milling around waiting to get their barcode scanned. So instead of one person scanning; we have a ratio of one scanner to every 40 parkrunners,” she said.
“Briefings at the start will also need to be a maximum of two minutes. Ours usually takes five-six minutes, so we would need to cut that down to the bare bones.”
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Robinson said Benalla’s parkrun was in the fortunate position of not having a large number of participants.
But with some events around the world attracting thousands, the guidelines will likely need to be a one-size fits all plan.
“But that is the beauty of parkrun. If you go to do one in Sydney, or in Auckland, you can expect the same experience everywhere,” Robinson said.
After launching its event in November last year, Benalla parkrun staged 18 events before being postponed indefinitely in March.
Once it returns, Robinson said the group will look to restart a number of projects it had in the works prior to its shutdown.
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The group had extended an invitation to the Achilles Running Group to host a training session to make Benalla’s events more accessible to those visually impaired.
“We’ll absolutely still look into this. Our participants want that to happen,” Robinson said.
● Runners can submit times for the (not)parkrun at www.parkrun.com.au/benallabotanticalgardens/results/notparkrun/
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