Brendan Simpkins

MORE than 100 people pulled on their running shoes and donned their best fluoro get-up to celebrate Gawler parkrun’s fourth birthday on Saturday.

The temperature was cool, but that didn’t stop the 140 runners and walkers from completing the five-kilometre circuit to mark the occasion. Usually a cake is rolled out to celebrate each anniversary, but that was not possible this year because of COVID-19.

Instead, organisers opted for the Fluoro for 4 theme, encouraging participants to dress in bright colours and adding an extra element of fun.

Founded by Cheryl McGovern in July 2017, Gawler parkrun has been taking place at Clonlea Park every Saturday morning, but was curtailed last year by COVID-19 restrictions.

The parkrun was temporarily suspended in March last year but made its grand return in early December.

Before the pandemic, Gawler was attracting about 170 participants each week and is now beginning to work its way back up again.

Co-event director Neil Sanders has been taking part in Gawler parkrun since it began. He came on board as co-event director, alongside Jules Reid, in 2018.

Mr Sanders said there was a team of about 30 volunteers who regularly help, on a rotating basis, with parkrun’s smooth sailing. This is through positions such as race director, timekeeper, tail walker and “first-timers brief”.

“It’s a good atmosphere and a friendly community event that anyone can take part in, whether you are a runner or a walker,” he said.

“It is a bit of a misconception when it’s called parkrun because we probably get at least a third of the people who take part regularly are walkers.”

Those who are unable to take part in the event, because of things such as injuries, put their hands up to volunteer, ensuring they remain involved.

Mr Sanders said parkrun was always on the lookout for new people willing to volunteer. He thanked all those who had helped make the event possible over the years.

The Gawler parkrun takes place every Saturday at 8am at Clonlea Reserve, Murray Road, Willaston. You can register to run on its website at www.parkrun.com.au.

New participants will be issued with a barcode they need to print off and bring to their first run. It will allow them to participate in any parkrun around the world.

There are 419 parkrun locations globally, including 40 in South Australia. A neighbouring event takes place at Stebonheath Park in Andrews Farm.