Parkrun is a free 5km timed run, held weekly on a Saturday morning, and it's surely one of the best ways to kick start your weekend. Over 2500 runners have attended the Claisebrook Cove event since it began nearly two years ago, with around 200 runners now participating each week.
The course, which follows the footpath along the riverside before looping back and finishing in Victoria Gardens, is flat and fast. The course record is a speedy 14 minutes and 50 seconds, but there are also runners who take up to an hour to complete the distance. No matter what your speed, you will be welcomed into the parkrun family.
To take part in a parkrun you need to register on the
website, which is very simple. You'll then be emailed a barcode to print off and take with you every time you race (it is a good idea to laminate this if you can, or otherwise carry it in a small ziplock bag). Your bar code is scanned after you cross the finish line and the results are posted on the parkrun website the same day. Once you've registered, you can run at any of the parkrun events across the globe; indeed parkrun 'tourists' are always welcomed with a round of applause prior to the start!
So whether you're a seasoned runner looking for a solid hit out, or a complete beginner, you should really give this a go. Just set your alarm on Saturday morning and get yourself there!
You can find detailed directions to the start, in Mardalup Park, East Perth, as well as register for your barcode on the
website.
