Portarlington parkrun kicks off this weekend

ORGANISERS are expecting more than 200 people to take part in the inaugural Portarlington parkrun this weekend.

The free, weekly, five-kilometre timed run will begin on the Bellarine on Saturday and will be parkrun Australia’s 245th event.

Event director Fiona Gilks De’Araugo has been organising “unofficial” runs along the Portarlington parkrun course every Saturday at 8am in the lead up to the launch, with 35 people taking part last weekend.

“It has been great to see people turn up each week and support the trial runs,” she said. “Participants have also stayed and chatted and encouraged others as they cross the line. We have had some super-fast runners completing the course in under 20 minutes, as well as visitors walking the course – enjoying the great views that Portarlington has on offer.”

The Portarlington parkrun course starts along the foreshore path opposite the playground in the WG Little reserve, travelling east towards Indented Heads for 2.5 kilometres before returning along the same path.

The course is flat – with only small inclines at the start/finish one-kilometre mark.

The path is compacted gravel – so pram friendly.

For those who can’t run – walking is encouraged; in fact, one of the essential volunteer roles is “tailwalker”, not runner.

Parkrun also encourages junior participants with children under 11 must stay with a designated adult at all times.

Parkrun is free to participate in and it is a great community event.

To participate, go to parkrun.com.au/register.

Once registered, you will be given a barcode, which you are required to bring.

You can also follow the Portarlington parkrun Facebook page.