Parkrun Albert Melbourne

This is the most impressive sporting event I’ve seen in my history of fun runs or organised events.
Slick setup, with portable barcode scanners, timers and people setup along the way to cheer you along.
This is a great way to shake off the Friday night hangover and get out and moving. Added bonus is all of the smug you feel after finishing your exercise before 9am on a Saturday, while many lazy bones are still in bed.
I’ll be back, when I don’t have a big Friday night ;)
See you there.

How good is it to have a FREE (yes free) timed 5 km run every single week in your own backyard? That’s what Parkrun is all about. Every Saturday at 8am about 100 or so runners head off to beat their personal best time, your results are kept in the database and you can push yourself to improve.
Every few months there is a themed run where participants dress up (eg. Olympics, Australia Day, 1^st birthday) which adds even more humour to the fun to be had.
Coffee and cake with the regulars is also on the agenda in a nearby café, where debriefing of the tactics, or a quick bask in the glory is to be had.
The run is open for all comers and I personally took over 35 mins in my first run only to be assisted week in and week out by the friendly regulars who have got me to beat 30 mins for the 5kms.
A great way to start your weekend and with friendly people to boot.
Free — but all they ask is that you volunteer to assist, three times during the year, which is only fair, where else could you get fun, fitness and camaraderie all for nicks?

Run Unilocalers run. For free (yes — I said, free), with friends, every Saturday 8am at Albert Park Lake. What more could you want? There’s even ample opportunity for breakfast afterwards, which is half the fun — recounting your PB and race strategy with your friends. Aaahhhh, the glory — you can’t beat a runners high.
parkrun is a 5 km time trial race around Albert Park Lake every Saturday (except for 1 weekend a year when the Grand Prix is on — likely alternate venue will be The Tan)
I can not recommend parkrun highly enough. Having started in Melbourne late last year it has established a loyal following already — much like Unilocal!parkrun was born in the UK and is now venturing out world wide in a big way. Down Under we also have Sydeny, Kirra, Main Beach and New Farm. Canberra will be starting soon.
Warning — Once you start parkrun you will be addicted. You will improve your running, strengthen existing friendships and make many new ones.
What are you waiting for? Surely you’re in training, or should be training, for Run for the Kids or Run Melbourne. Log onto the website, get your barcode and start parkrunning.