A tale of two Aussie parkruns
News from Richard and Marie down under:
G’day and welcome to parkrun Australia. First comment for those who like a lie-in, parkruns down under start at either 7am or 8am. For our first two, both were 8am starts but each a little journey away.
Saturday 30 July – St Peter’s parkun, Sydney.
Richard 24.03; Marie 26.41.
A lovely bright blue sky with pleasant sunshine greeted this (winter!) day in one of Sydney’s suburban parks. St Peter’s is located towards the University, which lies on the southern edge of the city, so was an easy commute on an early train from the city centre. As usual, as soon as we arrived at St Peter’s train station we saw the familiar signs of early morning parkrunners clad in various running gear but a notable absence of club vests. We, of course proudly displayed the sky blue of Claremont.
The route was a one-lap circuit of the park, really only famous for its three chimneys standing on the site of a former brickworks. The course wound its way around the perimeter for the first 2km and was all pleasantly down a gentle slope. Back into the park and soon the uphill began – for scale probably like a run up South Gosforth bank. After that lung busting effort the course then wound its way back past the St Peter’s Oval, a couple of lakes and then to the finishing straight. Cheered on by an over-enthusiastic shrieking marshal at the finish line (bad for hangovers) we then entered the normal funnel for timing and chip return.
As is the way here, we then made our way to the park café for a well-earned post parkrun brekkie of juices and wraps, and after coming all this way sat next to a lad from Teesside Uni who chatted about the Tees barrage parkrun.
Saturday 6 August – Sandon Point parkrun, Wollongong.
Richard 22.38; Marie 26.18
Fancy a run by the beach on the Pacific Ocean?– oh well only if we must! We had travelled down to Wollongong University, about 50 miles south of Sydney, on the Friday and stayed overnight for the Sandon Point parkrun. This was simply fantastic! It was a T shaped run along the cycle/footpath by the beach before the top of the T was through a small beach side housing area and along to the headland before returning back to the start. From the start, at Bulli beach surf club and beach café, the course was a gentle undulating route with simply stunning stunning ocean views throughout and a few dream houses to die for.
Post run brekkie at the Bulli beach café matched the magnificence of the parkrun – shame it’s 6,000 miles away and too far even for a Claremont anniversary run.
Again the sky blue of Claremont was proudly worn and yet again a chap with northern connections was soon to chat to us – this time from Workington.
And next weekend the City to Surf 14km race with a mere 90,000 entry. Report to follow….
G’day possums.
