Written by Squadron Energy |
More residents are turning out for the Cameron Park Wellington parkrun in the Central West that is growing in popularity every week.
Supported by Squadron Energy's Uungula Wind Farm, the inaugural parkrun began on 18 October, with 50 participants lacing up their runners.
Parkrun Director and Wellington resident, Emmalee Holmes (pictured below), said the launch day for the event went perfectly.
“It was a beautiful day and well supported by the community,” she said.
“We had people from Sydney turn up for the launch – somehow they found out!”
The idea of a parkrun for the small town was first conceived by Ms Holmes a decade ago.
“Back then we didn’t have a suitable recreation track in Wellington,” she said.
“We started rallying our local council. Council eventually got a ‘building better community’ grant to build the track.”
However, there were many setbacks to the track being built including the COVID pandemic, which closed all parkruns, and severe flooding that damaged the track. The track was eventually rebuilt after the council received a grant.
“We have spent all year this year preparing - forming a committee, deciding on the course, measuring the course, mapping the course, risk assessments, liaising with our parkrun ambassador, raising the financial assistance for the event start-up costs, documents for approval from parkrun global, trial events, and then the launch,” Ms Holmes said.
Since the first run, there have been droves of people joining the much-loved community event every week.
The number of participants for the next parkrun more than doubled to 102, then the third run saw 130 people at the starting line.
“It is amazing to have over 100 people in the park early on a Saturday morning to do exercise!” Ms Holmes said.
“We already have our parkrun 'regulars' each week.
“Plus, we've had many parkrun 'tourists' from other areas. The feedback has been very good - they love the beautiful course and the 'friendly' volunteers and organisers.”
The head organiser added that the run was highly beneficial as it’s a “free and inclusive activity” that improves health and wellbeing.
There is also an economic benefit as the event attracts ‘parkrunners’ from different areas and many participants go to the local cafes for coffee or breakfast afterwards.
Ms Holmes said the contribution from Squadron Energy was an integral part of getting the Wellington parkrun up and running.
“The financial assistance from Squadron helped fund the start-up costs as well as the ongoing costs for the lifetime of the run,” she said.
“This includes the insurance, equipment, defibrillator, software, website, finish tokens, volunteer vests and more.”
Squadron Energy Regional Economic Development Manager Bart Sykes (pictured left), who took part in the town's first parkrun, said the event was fantastic for the community.
“It's great to have a Saturday morning event in Wellington that promotes exercise and has people from all walks interacting with each other - and Cameron Park on the river is a great spot for a parkrun," he said.
The parkrun starts at 8am every Saturday at Cameron Park in Wellington.
