The Lakes Entrance parkrun celebrated its first birthday on Saturday with 3253 participants and 431 volunteers ensuring the parkrun’ s first year was one to remember.
Organised entirely by volunteers, the Lakes Entrance parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5km walk/jog/run held from the Lakes Entrance Rotunda at 8am every Saturday morning and is open to all ages and abilities.
Event director, Hayley Cowie, was shocked with how well the community had supported the event.
“It’s been an exciting year, especially with how everyone has taken to the event. We have averaged about 60 participants in the past year,” she said.
“On Saturday we had 96 people finish. There were about 100 participants but some chose to run half the course, which works well because it is two laps.
“The event has been growing since I started it after getting the idea from the Bairnsdale parkrun. At every event there is a great community vibe.
“I had no idea that it would be this popular.
“We had a lady speak about how she began jogging one day and after realising it wouldn’t kill her, began participating in the parkrun nearly every week.
“We had two couples from the United Kingdom participate over the weekend, showing that it is a great way to meet people as not just locals compete.
“We have found that people are really looking forward to the parkrun and some are even planning weekends away around it.”
While the social aspect is a big drawcard, the parkrun is a great way to stay healthy.
“It is a great event because it keeps people healthy, not just physically, but mentally as well,” Hayley said.
PICTURED: Nearly 100 runners celebrated Lakes Entrance parkrun’s first birthday on Saturday. There was plenty of fun across the two-lap 2.5-kilometre foreshore course with some participants dressing up to the theme of the letter L. Jamie Darcy (pictured leading the pack) was first across the line over the five kilometres, finishing the course in 17 minutes and one second.
