Parkrun - Burnie

Burnie

Burnie Community

Burnie Parkrun

CAPITOL SHOWCASE

Innovation in Action

Showcasing excellent community-based health and wellbeing initiatives

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Why was this event needed?

• Many Burnie residents face challenges associated with socioeconomic disadvantage, including impacts from social determinants of health.

• Reduced access to good nutrition, physical activity and social inclusion may contribute to a range of conditions, including overweight and obesity.

• However, local programs focused on community strengths provide great opportunities for improved health and wellbeing.

• The Burnie community identified a need for members to have more active lifestyles to improve health outcomes.

• However, many community members were unsure how to begin.

The Burnie Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning along the Coastal Pathway. It providing a great opportunity for participation in regular exercise, leading to better overall health and wellbeing.

• With support from Burnie City Council, Burnie Parkrun was developed based on the global phenomenon of Parkruns.

Burnie Parkrun goals and activities

Positive outcomes for the Burnie community

• Burnie Parkrun is a free weekly 5 km run, conducted close to the city centre and utilising the Coastal Pathway.

• Burnie Parkrun complements other community-based running events such as the Burnie Ten and 321-GO! Kid’s race.

• The run is not a race, but is timed for individuals.

• Approximately 125 people participate each week.

• The event provides opportunities to utilise Council physical activity infrastructure, work for volunteers and engagement with local organisations.

• The main goal is to encourage community members to have greater participation in physical activity.

• Community participation facilitates physical activity, plus the ability to monitor individual improvement.

• Participation, whether this be walking or running, helps people to take the first steps towards regular physical activity.

• Regular participation helps to foster greater social interaction with other community members.

• People simply register online, obtain a barcode for recording times, and participate on the day.

• Importantly, the event is inclusive enabling participation for people with disability and new parents with infants in prams.

• Parkrun is managed entirely by dedicated volunteers, including event directors, course marshalls, time keepers and photographer.

• Participation contributes to improved health and wellbeing of the Burnie community, including greater opportunities for physical activity, improved mental health and social inclusion.

• At the conclusion of the run, participants are able to access their time and socialise with other community members.

Further information: https://utas.edu.au/health/community-programs/capitol https://www.parkrun.com.au/burnie/

CAPITOL (Critical Age Periods Impacting the Trajectory of Obesogenic Lifestyles) is a community-based and community-driven project which aims to build capacity in North-West Tasmania to more effectively prevent obesity. This content has been produced in collaboration with Burnie Parkrun volunteers.