Dubbo Parkrun: Parkrun is celebrating their eighth birthday on Saturday

Dubbo runners, walkers and volunteers will be celebrating Parkrun’s eighth birthday on Saturday as fitness fans share their love for the local initiative.

Dubbo Parkrun runners and walkers dressed up for a special themed event. Photo: Dubbo Parkrun

Dubbo Parkrun will celebrate its eighth anniversary, as organisers reveal the love for the Saturday morning ritual is still growing.

Designed as a weekly and free event, run director Karen Pellow said the event provides “regularity and consistency for anyone in the community”.

Starting in 2015, the Dubbo has witnessed more than 90,000 finish line successes, with an average of 256 participants each week.

“The atmosphere is great every week, it is such a welcoming community for anyone wanting to do a bit of exercise, volunteering or catching up with friends to chat about your week,” she said.

Volunteers at the Dubbo Parkrun. Photo: Dubbo Parkrun.

“Our volunteers are amazing, we have our rosters pretty much full for at least four to six weeks in advance.”

Event director Miriam Morris said there are many community groups who participate in volunteering roles each week.

“They have been doing that since we started eight years ago which is amazing,” Ms Morris said.

“We have a kids takeover day twice a year where the kids and parents fill the roster - it is such a great day seeing all the young kids running the Parkrun.

Kids participating at the Dubbo Parkrun event. Picture: Dubbo Parkrun

“Our favourite part is watching people achieve their goals, whether that be a number of participations, completing the whole 5km, participating in a new activity or volunteering at a local event and learning new skills.

Weekly Dubbo Parkrun participant Tomi Orundami has been consistently participating in the event since when he first moved to Dubbo in January 2022.

Participants at Dubbo Parkrun. Photo: Dubbo Parkrun.

“It’s something that everyone tries to get down to even if we have a ratty Friday night,” Mr Orundami said.

Studying medicine, Mr Orundami said the health aspect and the promotion of cardiovascular awareness initially attracted him to the event but is now going because of the inclusiveness and community lifestyle.

“The idea of feeling and being fit is important to me,” he said.

“Everyone is really welcoming - they come and say hi and try and link us up with other organisations.”

The medical students after participating in the Parkrun. Photo: Supplied.

Avid runner Jan Morgiewicz said he never used to run before moving to Dubbo and joining the weekly Parkrun.

“There is no pressure which I what I really liked - the social aspect is really important to me,” Mr Morgiewicz said.

“I could bring my friends who run X time and I run Y time which could be a few minutes between each other but that doesn’t matter,” he said.

He told The Dubbo News him and his friends are planning to volunteer in the coming weeks.