One of the things I love about parkrun is that it's as casual or serious as you make it.  You can show up and jog it once a year, or you can race it every single weekend.  You can include parkrun in your travels and visit a new course when you're in town, or you can plan your travels around parkrun.  You can even choose to run all the parkrun courses in the lower North Island in one day, which is what I did last Sunday.

The event is organised by one of the regulars at Lower Hutt parkrun, and most of the 30 odd runners were from the Hutt, although a few were from further afield including Anderson (Napier) and Puarenga (Rotorua) parkruns.  I have done this once before, two years ago.  (Last year the trip was cancelled because we were in lockdown.)  Two years ago there were only 5 parkruns in the lower North Island; with the recent opening of Trentham Memorial Parkrun, we had to include that as well, so 25km became 30km.  We all chipped in and hired a bus for the day to transport us between parkruns, because what could be better than a bus full of like-minded sweaty runners?

The day began with a drive to Lower Hutt, leaving Kapiti at six so we could say hi to our old friends and hit the start line at seven.  We trotted round the course on fresh legs, blissfully unaware of the pain and stiffness that would follow later in the day.  This parkrun is an out and back along the Hutt River, a flat fast course mostly on concrete paths.

With the first run out of the way, we piled onto the bus and headed to Porirua, and received our goodie bags, which consisted of jet planes, bliss balls and muesli bars.  Porirua is easily my favourite course, it starts with a gentle climb through tree-lined paths on the way up, and a speedy zoom down on the way back.  Due to the climb, you're unlikely to get a PB on this course, but the scenery is worth it - there's just something I love about running through trees and bush.

Back on the bus with a quick stop at Plimmerton for a coffee, where the folks at Palmers served 30 odd runners in record time, then off to Kapiti Coast parkrun.  Feeling the home turf advantage, I shot off and completed my fastest run of the day, showing the Lower Hutt folk how it's done on the Coast.

We opted not to stop at a cafe for lunch this time, as last time it caused us to be badly behind schedule and we ended up running Greytown Woodside Trail in the dark, so we picnicked in the Domain instead.  A gang of three ducks stole my scone; fortunately the other runners had over-catered and came to my aid with carrot cake, watermelon and sushi.  Then a quick wardrobe change before getting back on the bus and heading to Palmerston North.

Palmerston North parkrun is another out-and-back riverside track, this time alongside the Manawatu River, and like Lower Hutt, this one is run on concrete paths so there are no mud puddles to negotiate.  When we got back to the bus, we found our bus driver had fallen down the bus steps and hit his head.  He bravely carried on anyway, swapping with another driver when we reached the Wairarapa.

Our new driver delivered us to the Carterton public facilities, a highlight of the trip.  Everyone piled off the bus - the queues were too long at Palmerston North so hardly anyone bothered to go there.  Then onwards to Greytown.  I was leading the pack for the first 2km, when all of a sudden the course turned onto the road.  Wait, am I going the right way?  Where are the marshalls? I don't remember this - but last time it was pitch dark so of course I don't remember.  Thankfully the runner behind me caught up and pointed out the cone markers that were right in front of my face.  If anyone's going to get lost, it will be me.

Our new driver entertained us over the Remutakas with his rendition of King of the Road (which involved gleefully tooting the horn), and a Princess Diana joke that I won't repeat. Last stop was the brand new Trentham Memorial parkrun, which like all the others is an out-and-back, but on this one you do a little loop through the trees on the way back.  The quad and calf pain had well and truly started at this stage and I struggled to get through, but I finished without stopping.

While we were running Trentham, our second bus driver managed to also fall down the steps of the bus.  Curious that out of approximately 30 runners running 30k each, the only injured parties were our bus drivers.  Luckily, our second bus driver wasn't badly hurt and dropped us off to the carpark at Lower Hutt parkrun at about 8pm, where we said goodbye to our friends and drove back to Kapiti in the dark.

Thinking of joining us next time? Here are my tips:

• Bring a hydration bladder if you have one, it holds more and takes up less space in your bag than drink bottles.
• Bring AT LEAST one change of gear; trust me, you don't want to do six 5ks in the same pair of undies.
• Bring something to do on the bus (I'm reading Feet in the Clouds by Richard Askwith, highly recommended for trail runners and other crazies).
• You'll get used to the smell.
• Pace yourself! My first run was my slowest of the day. Resist the temptation to do your normal parkrun speed.
• Six 5ks is harder on your body than running 30k straight.  Especially with an hour or more of sitting down between each run.  Make sure you warm up/cool down appropriately for EVERY run.
• Train!  You can't expect to run six 5ks in a row if all you've ever done is 5ks.  If you are comfortable doing a 20k run then you should be fine.
• Use the toilet whenever you get a chance, you don't know how far away the next one is going to be!
• Take a headlamp, antiperspirant, sunscreen, rain gear, warm clothes, snacks, and expect delays.
• Maybe take a spare bus driver or two as well...

Kristina

 

This week 98 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 9 were first timers and 10 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 6 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 12 volunteers:

Jeff STARK • John GLYNN-BEGBIE • Stella MURPHY • Bruce ALLEN • Ariki VERTONGEN • Adam LAWLOR • Kristina CAMERON • René GREYLING • Annabel LOGAN • Brian NELSON • Carolyn MARSHALL • Cath BRADDOCK

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Kapiti Coast parkrun Results Page.

The female record is held by Hannah OLDROYD who recorded a time of 18:19 on 17th February 2018 (event number 157).
The male record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded a time of 15:30 on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).
The Age Grade course record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded 88.06% (15:30) on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).

Kapiti Coast parkrun started on 24th January 2015. Since then 2,636 participants have completed 23,753 parkruns covering a total distance of 118,765 km, including 3,604 new Personal Bests. A total of 356 individuals have volunteered 2,990 times.

On Saturday 23 January a field of 140, including 12 first timers took to the track for the 294th event on the 6th anniversary of the Kapiti Parkrun.

With good weather and track conditions, an added incentitive of a piece of birthday cake (kindly made by Belinda Wilson), saw 7 PBS achieved.

In January 2015 a newspaper article advised that a new Parkrun would commence at the Otaihanga Domain on 24/1/15. The article explained what Parkrun was about and how to register.

As I had not previously heard of Parkrun I thought it may be worth attending at least once, even if it was to get a timed run. Little did I know that over the next 6 years I would continue to return most Saturday mornings along with many others from that first day to run.

The positives of Parkrun participation are immeasurable, and we owe a great debt to all involved in providing it for us, long may it continue.

Linsay May.

Photo credit: Jeff Stark

This week 140 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 12 were first timers and 7 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 6 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 11 volunteers:

Jake ROOS • Jude WADSWORTH • Linsay MAY • Jeff STARK • John GLYNN-BEGBIE • Lucy LAWLOR • Gary CRILLEY • Adam LAWLOR • Kristin HICKLING • Karl ROMIJN • Carol MAY

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Kapiti Coast parkrun Results Page.

The female record is held by Hannah OLDROYD who recorded a time of 18:19 on 17th February 2018 (event number 157).
The male record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded a time of 15:30 on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).
The Age Grade course record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded 88.06% (15:30) on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).

Kapiti Coast parkrun started on 24th January 2015. Since then 2,582 participants have completed 22,932 parkruns covering a total distance of 114,660 km, including 3,499 new Personal Bests. A total of 344 individuals have volunteered 2,898 times.

After a week of lovely summer weather on the Kapiti Coast, Saturday morning (aka parkrun-morning) started off a little cloudy, but dry and calm. Perfect conditions for a run!!

As I turned into Otaihanga Domain it was fabulous to see a large number of people already milling around the start line. Familiar, friendly faces as well as some guests from ‘overseas’ ie the South Island, line up at the start. It’s always nice to have new parkrun participants, and I wish a warm Kapiti welcome to our 29 first timers. I hope you all had a good time and you’ll be back to join us again soon.

We are so lucky to be able to enjoy this experience considering the large number of countries struggling with COVID. I feel almost guilty reporting back to friends and family overseas the freedom that we are enjoying. On that note I hope everyone signed into the Domain using their COVID tracer app!!

The briefing is given, our canine companions give their woof of approval, and we’re off. The pre-race chatter soon turns into the sound of footsteps on the ground and heavy breathing.

Today was my first parkrun for 2021, after a lazy start to the year. It was great to get out on course again today, and I was reminded why I like to make the effort to turn up!! I’m on a mission to try to run faster, rather than further, and I appreciate having people on course to keep me honest and pull me along to the finish line.

We had an amazing turnout today, with 153 people completing the course, including Dave Leigh who finished his 100^th event – great effort.

See you next week

Kris

Photo: Jeff Stark

This week 153 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 29 were first timers and 11 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 11 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 11 volunteers:

Tony FARMER • Arend LANSER • Jude WADSWORTH • Jeff STARK • John GLYNN-BEGBIE • Terry B MORRIS • Kristin HICKLING • Joseph LINDSAY • Michelle HOLMES • Graeme CROMPTON • Bruce WILSON

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Kapiti Coast parkrun Results Page.

The female record is held by Hannah OLDROYD who recorded a time of 18:19 on 17th February 2018 (event number 157).
The male record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded a time of 15:30 on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).
The Age Grade course record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded 88.06% (15:30) on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).

Kapiti Coast parkrun started on 24th January 2015. Since then 2,570 participants have completed 22,792 parkruns covering a total distance of 113,960 km, including 3,492 new Personal Bests. A total of 343 individuals have volunteered 2,887 times.

This week's run report, features a lady who gives me the inspiration to keep up my running and to keep coming along to Parkrun.

Hazel Ollerenshaw hadn't come from a sporty background, but after devoting many years to bringing up 5 children and juggling time to do a degree via correspondence, Hazel decided it was time for "Me". So at 58, she took up running, with a goal to lose some weight and lost 20kg.

Hazel then decided to push the boundaries further and entered Kapiti women's tri about 16/17 years ago and has competed just about every year since. She is currently training to do the February 2021 race - 400m swim, 12km Bike and 4km Run. Doesn't sound far, but to put the 3 together, takes training, discipline and determination and is quite an achievement when your 75.

Hazel has also done the Lake Taupo cycle race (half) 7 times and completed the whole 160km cycle race, when she was 70. Hazel has also competed in the Marines run several times, which is held each year by the Kapiti Joggers and for those of you have done this course, will know that it is not for the faint hearted.

Hazel loves to come along to the Kapiti Parkrun as she loves the friendly atmosphere and sets herself the goal to try and beat her own times, each week.

Hope this inspires you as it does me. See you all at Park run. Go Hazel!

- by Kate J Photo: Hazel

Credit: Jeff Stark

Photo: Kate

Credit: Jeff Stark

This week 84 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 2 were first timers and 5 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 4 different clubs took part.

Thevent was made possible by 12 volunteers:

Jake ROOS • Jeff STARK • John GLYNN-BEGBIE • Jocelyn FOUNTAIN • Lucy LAWLOR • Kate JENKINS • Adam LAWLOR • Daniel STONER • Dave THORBURN • Michelle HOLMES • Graeme CROMPTON • Andrew MORRISON

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Kapiti Coast parkrun Results Page.

The female record is held by Hannah OLDROYD who recorded a time of 18:19 on 17th February 2018 (event number 157).
The male record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded a time of 15:30 on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).
The Age Grade course record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded 88.06% (15:30) on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).

Kapiti Coast parkrun started on 24th January 2015. Since then 2,479 participants have completed 22,088 parkruns covering a total distance of 110,440 km, including 3,438 new Personal Bests. A total of 336 individuals have volunteered 2,814 times.

Tena koe parkrun whanau and Talofa lava

parkrun tourism took me to sunny Kapiti last weekend.  This was my first opportunity to do some parkrun tourism since Hobsonville Auckland in January 2020.  It’s been a crazy year.

I managed to squeeze this run in on our family road trip from Wainuiomata to Ohau.  I know there are parkrun enthusiasts who plan their holidays around parkrun.  There is no better time to do that than Alert Level One particularly as New Zealand now has a staggering 32 parkrun events.  Ticking Kapiti off my list takes my score to a pultry six, so many more road trips are definitely needed!

I joined a field of 96 hearty souls on a perfect morning for running.  The course is a generous flat one which runs alongside Waikanae River and also, probably unique to any parkrun course - under the SH1 Expressway!  The course is an out and back, made up of a mix of gravel and dirt track which fortunately was nice and dry.

It was nice to catch up with work colleague Glen CATTERMOLE for a post-run chat (see pic).  Glen and I are part of a boot camp-style circuits group run at the Department of Internal Affairs.  The Department also offers us subsidised entry fees to Round The Bays.  These are just a couple of examples of how the Department helps promote mental health and wellbeing in the workplace - so crucial in this day and age.  We have four parkrun regulars at the Department so there’s more marketing work to be done there!

parkrun Kapiti is a very friendly flat course with a great group of volunteers, headed ably by run director, Dave.  Crucially for me, there is a children’s playground at the start area where my three lil ‘uns entertained themselves with mum.

I will definitely be back at Otaihanga Domain again whenever our next road trip “up the line” is.  Have a great week all.  Stay safe.

Nga mihi,

Vatau SAGAGA

This week 96 people ran, jogged and walked the course, of whom 3 were first timers and 12 recorded new Personal Bests. Representatives of 6 different clubs took part.

The event was made possible by 11 volunteers:

Declan MURPHY • John GLYNN-BEGBIE • Bruce ALLEN • Ross WELLS • Dave THORBURN • Michael PEARCE • Andre FRAENKEL • Ruth CARTER • Joanna MARTIN • Martyn COLE • Andrew MORRISON

Today's full results and a complete event history can be found on the Kapiti Coast parkrun Results Page.

The female record is held by Hannah OLDROYD who recorded a time of 18:19 on 17th February 2018 (event number 157).
The male record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded a time of 15:30 on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).
The Age Grade course record is held by Paul MARTELLETTI who recorded 88.06% (15:30) on 1st January 2020 (event number 257).

Kapiti Coast parkrun started on 24th January 2015. Since then 2,457 participants have completed 21,744 parkruns covering a total distance of 108,720 km, including 3,413 new Personal Bests. A total of 332 individuals have volunteered 2,768 times.