Hundreds bring in New Year with Port parkrun

PORTARLINGTON parkrun celebrated its 67th event on New Year’s Day, when 200 people walked, jogged, and ran along the stunning Portarlington foreshore.

Numbers varied during the past year, with the lowest number of participants at eight.

Volunteer Fiona Gilks De’Araugo said people often commented that they enjoyed the course, with the exception of the hill at the finish line and, more often than not, the wind.

“There is no one sort of person who attends Portarlington parkrun,” Ms Gilks De’Araugo said.

“We have fast runners who can complete the 5km course in 21 minutes, joggers who complete
the course in 40 minutes, and walkers who finish the course the 5km course in about 60 minutes.

“We have families with children, and families

with their dog. Portarlington parkrun is a very community-orientated event with many regulars from the area including Drysdale/Clifton Springs.”

Ms Gilks De’Araugo said Portarlington parkrun relied on volunteers.

“Volunteers do a number of roles that are simple, but all are important to ensuring that each event is a success,” she said.

The Portarlington parkrun is a free, weekly, timed 5km walk/jog/run at 8am every Saturday, and is open to all ages and abilities.

For more information, follow “Portarlington parkrun” on Facebook or visit parkrun.com.au/ portarlington.