Echuca Moama parkrun celebrated its 300th event and seventh anniversary on Saturday, May 11.
The 5km run, which takes place every Saturday at 8am at Lions Park, commemorated the occasion with a coffee cart, free podiatry advice, a barbecue, and cake.
Even in the rain, 136 runners and walkers participated, supported by 14 volunteers.
Participants were treated to free bacon sandwiches on the finish line, as well as a custom parkrun birthday cake.
The community spirit thrived, with local businesses like The Athlete’s Foot and Moama Woolworths contributing support and supplies.
Amy, from Echuca Foot and Ankle Clinic, offered advice and free strapping, while Echuca Moama Coffee Roasters kept everyone caffeinated with their coffee cart.
Event and run directors from the past seven years came together for the special edition, including founding event director Brett Sands and current event director Andy Rogers.
“A huge thank you to so many people over the last few years,” Mr Rogers said.
“I want to start off with the original RD crew — Brett Sands, Brady Threlfall, Emily Flanigan, Anthony Farrant, Steve and Bec Gray. Without these guys this parkrun wouldn’t be here today.
“Brett went through 18 months of a little bit of pain, and with that crew we finally got it up and running. What a marvellous job.”
There were plenty of community members helping on the day, setting up the track, marshalling, timekeeping, scanning and tail walking.
Volunteers also helped out on the barbecue and with photography.
“As usual, thank you to all our volunteers. Give them a high five today,” Mr Rogers said.
“These volunteers are absolutely amazing, so let’s give a good thank you out on course.”
Mr Rogers was happy with how the event went, even if numbers weren’t as high as the record of 265, reached over the Easter long weekend. Rainy Saturdays also see smaller crowds.
“It’s been really good. It’s all in the preparation,” he said.
“I would’ve loved to get up to the record, but there’s no long weekend or anything.
“Regularly we get 70 or 80 people.”
The first Echuca Moama parkrun in 2017, 299 events ago, drew 231 participants.
Many ‘parkrunners’ challenge themselves to attend a parkrun for every letter of the alphabet. The first Echuca Moama parkrun was a good way for participants to tick off the letter ‘E’.
During long weekends and holidays, visitors join Echuca Moama parkrun to progress in their alphabet challenge.
Visitors at this event came from destinations including Adelaide, Inverloch, Frankston, and Horsham.
Mr Rogers reflected on some of the challenges that parkrun has faced over its seven years.
“We had COVID, which was 57 weeks over three lockdowns, believe it or not,” he said.
“Then if that wasn’t enough, we also had the floods ... we had nine weeks where we couldn’t do parkrun.
“So 66 weeks we have missed out since our first birthday.”
Regulars and newbies alike came together for the event, with 23 first-timers, and nine personal bests set.
Participants donned crazy hats and socks as part of the celebrations. Previous themes were party hats and tutus, Star Wars, Hawaiian, fluoro and back to the 60s.
Mr Rogers emphasised the consistency of the event that has kept runners coming back each week for the last seven years.
“It’s at the same place, same time, every single week,” he said.
Echuca Moama parkrun is on every Saturday at 8am at Lions Park, 49 Campaspe Esplanade, Echuca.
Attendees are asked to register through the parkrun website.
Volunteers can reach out to echucamoama@parkrun.com