Every Saturday at 7.30am, about 40 or so people gather in Seymour’s Lions Park from across town, across the state and, in some cases, across the world.
Co-founder and run director Peter Nunn said the event had seen a healthy growth since its inception in 2023.
“Our average numbers are around 30 to 60, and that fluctuates every Saturday,” Mr Nunn said.
“On any one weekend, we would usually have 60 to 70 per cent participation from outside Seymour locals.
“We’ve had people in Melbourne visiting, we’ve had people from Britain, New York, South Africa, Japan — it gives you a buzz to think about.”
While many people get turned off by the name, the 5km trek is far from being about how quickly you can get to the finish line.
Instead, it’s all about getting up and doing something with support and encouragement surrounding you.
“It’s a community event to get people out and doing more activity and just being in parkland,” Mr Nunn said.
“The oldest person we’ve had, that I’m aware of, is an 84-year-old lady, and she walked it comfortably in 55 minutes.
“I always joke with her: is that a grimace or a smile? And she says ‘I’m happy I got back’.
“It really just brings people together and our local people get to meet people from all corners and they get to know ‘why’.”
Mr Nunn’s ‘why’ refers to questions like ‘why’ people are doing this, ‘why’ they are here and ‘why’ they got out of bed so early in the morning.
Parkrun, he said, was a learning experience.
Each week, the parkrun welcomes walkers, joggers, runners and ‘encouragers’ along at the same place and the same time.
Mr Nunn said it was always exciting to see who turned up.
“It’s growing and sometimes it does drop off ... but we’ll keep going and each week it’s like the Lotto numbers are getting drawn,” he said.
“What are the numbers? How many people are going to turn up.”
The Goulburn River Trail parkrun is always on the lookout for volunteers. Those interested can phone Mr Nunn on 0414 096 419.
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