Discover ParkRun in the Moreton Bay Region

With so many options across the Moreton Bay Region, there’s no excuse not to give ParkRun a crack this weekend. Here’s all you need to know to get you started.

Vicki Martin, Rowan Martin, Simone Biddle and Belinda Jones at Petrie ParkRun. Picture: Dominika Lis

YOU may think ParkRun is all about pounding the pavement — but it’s actually the well-deserved breakfast with friends afterwards that gets most runners lacing up their joggers on a Saturday morning.

“It’s not Saturday unless I’ve been to ParkRun … there’s definitely a social aspect to it,” Petrie event director Belinda Jones says.

“I can say that in six years of doing ParkRun I think I have missed about seven weeks.”

Belinda says she caught the running bug, and with some help from other people in the area they launched the Sweeney Reserve 5km Petrie ParkRun.

“ParkRun is a huge part of my life. If you want to get into running, this is your starting point.

“None of my friends could understand why I wanted to start running. But at ParkRun you find people who are into (running) too.

“Always a big part of ParkRun is breakfast afterwards, so it’s good for the local economy. It’s also great for tourism and businesses in the local area too … and meeting new people.

“I used to walk around this area all the time and I would never know anyone, but now I see people I know all the time. It’s a community.”

Belinda Jones at Petrie ParkRun. Picture: Dominika Lis

Belinda says the Petrie 5km run attracts lots of walkers for the “mounds of opportunity” (the hills) and it has a friendly atmosphere.

“I think that’s what is good about ParkRun, it’s for everyone. We had a mum pushing triplets up a hill in a pram … we have people in their late 70s participating. There are lots of children running too.

“Different ParkRuns have different demographics, but they are all very friendly and welcoming,” she says.

“Because I know everyone who comes along to our ParkRun, I can usually spot a new person and help them feel welcome.”

Petrie ParkRun has been running for four years. The Sweeney Reserve ParkRunners even run on Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, dressed up for the occasion.

“We do like dress-ups here. It’s our fourth anniversary in October and we are having a party.

Belinda has clocked up more than 220 ParkRuns and is on her way to claiming the elusive green 250 runs shirt.

She and her friend Simone Biddle are working their way through the ParkRun alphabet, ticking off each of the 26 letters. They recently drove out to Emerald to complete E on their list. Unfortunately the pair is stumped when it comes to the letter X. But it’s a great excuse for another breakfast excursion.

ParkRuns in the Moreton Bay Regional Council area

PARKRUNS TO TRY IN THE MORETON BAY REGION

● Redcliffe 5km: a picturesque run by the ocean, flat with seabreezes

● Lake Eden 5km: North Lakes’ ParkRun is around the lake and well patronised

● Ocean View 5km: Fancy a run around a picturesque vineyard? Sign up for this one

● Petrie 5km: The ‘Mounds of Opportunity’ provide some altitude for your run

● Bunyaville 5km: This is through the James Drysdale Reserve and is more of a trail run experience