Centennial Park to host Parkrun after MP steps in

CENTENNIAL Park is set to host Parkrun — the world’s biggest community fitness event.

Centennial Park had wanted to charge for Parkrun to be held in the grounds

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CENTENNIAL Park is set to host Parkrun — the world’s biggest community fitness event.

Centennial Parklands bosses were going to charge $5000 to host the event each Saturday morning. However, they backed down after Kingsford Smith federal Labor MP Matt Thistlethwaite raised the matter in Parliament.

Centennial Park bosses have confirmed a trial of the community event

Millions of people around the world take part in Parkrun, running a 5km course on a Saturday morning with each person competing against the clock.

More than 1000 Parkruns are held, including 310 in Australia.

However there has never been one in Centennial Park.

Residents contacted the park about organising an event only to be told it would cost $5000.

“It is the complete antithesis of everything Parkrun stands for,” Mr Thistlethwaite said in Parliament. “Parkrun is about accessibility and building camaraderie around exercise.”

Matt Thistlethwaite raised the issue in Parliament

After his intervention the Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust said there would be a free trial. “Parkrun is a free community-based event and organisers will not be charged for staging this wonderful opportunity in Centennial Park.

That’s because community sports and activities are core to what we do,” a spokesman said.

Mr Thistlethwaite said it was a great win.

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