Millwater parkrun

Every Saturday morning, just before 8am, over 100 runners and walkers gather at Metro Park East to complete a 5km timed course. At the front of the pack are the guys who speed away, using this as a time trial for their training. At the back is the tail walker who ensures nobody gets left behind. They are often following the ladies who come to chat and walk, those who are starting out on their fitness journey and a young family or two encouraging their children to keep going until the end. In between these are a variety of all ages and abilities who are there for various reasons – the 50-year-old who only started running a year ago, the 11-year-old who has done more than 100 of these runs and is now working his way to the front of the group, the mother with her 8-year-old girl who run side by side, and the 72-year-old who wasn’t sure she’d be able to complete it at first and now walks 5km each day along with parkrun each week. Many people enjoy a coffee with friends and family afterwards.

Millwater parkrun is a free, timed 5km event held every Saturday at 8am, rain or shine. It is part of a worldwide phenomenon, with over 1200 events held in over 20 countries. There are 24 events throughout New Zealand, sponsored by NZ Home Loans. It is run by volunteers and requires you to register online first (for free) and print out your barcode. With this barcode you can go to any parkrun worldwide, be timed and be able to see all your parkrun results online. There are milestone incentives for those who complete the events often, including a 50, 100 and 250 run t-shirt and also a certificate for children who complete 10 runs.

On July 21st Millwater parkrun celebrated its 200th event. On occasions such as these (like anniversaries, Christmas and Easter) there is often a dress-up theme and cake, other goodies, and spot prizes at the finish line.

Check them out online at www.parkrun.co.nz/Millwater or on the Millwater parkrun Facebook page and head along to Metro Park East on Saturday morning.

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