Local parkrun organiser supports our fitness move

YOU'VE PROBABLY seen Craig McCormack running around the streets of Rockhampton on Monday morning or around the Botanic Gardens on a Saturday afternoon.

Craig McCormack organiser of the Rockhampton parkrun

YOU'VE PROBABLY seen Craig McCormack running around the streets of Rockhampton on Monday morning or around the Botanic Gardens on a Saturday afternoon.

Actually there's not really a day of the week when the local organiser of Rockhampton parkrun and member of the Rockhampton Road Runners isn't hitting the pavement in his runners.

But Craig wouldn't have it any other way as a strong believer in the power of group fitness and exercising in the great outdoors which is why he's in support of the Morning Bulletin's new initiative to get people up off their couches and onto the streets as we aim to claim the title of the fittest town with the Kick the Kilos campaign using the Strava app.

Craig said the best thing he loved about Rockhampton parkrun was seeing people of all ages at different fitness levels endure a 5km run or walk every Saturday morning.

"I just love the smiles on peoples faces when they turn up Rockhampton parkrun every weekend,” he said.

"I find group fitness a great social way for people to get motivated and to support each other. Initiatives like parkrun invite anyone to be involved and put in how ever much effort they want. We have people running, walking, jogging and pushing prams so it's just great to see such a large group turning up because sometimes the hardest thing is to turn up.”

Craig said over the last six months Rockhampton parkrun had been seen1200 members participate in the event out of 1600 members who've registered. The average runners every Saturday is about 200 per week.

"Within the next four weeks we would have completed 29,000km which is twice around Australia on the highway one network which is 258kilos of fat lost," he said.

"So it's been pretty positive in the last 24 weeks we've been running and the thing about parkrun but although losing the kilos and being healthier is fantastic, I think whether or not people are enjoying themselves while their working out is a lot more rewarding.

"Apps such as Strava are great for people who want to track their distance, calories burnt and can see the progress their making, keeping them motivated.”

Originally published as Local parkrun organiser supports our fitness move