Help make parkrun a reality

VOLUNTEER Sign Up day for the proposed Heathcote McIvor Creek Trail parkrun will be held this Sunday at 1pm at Barrack Reserve.

Organisers from Heathcote Health and Healthy Loddon Campaspe are encouraging locals to attend and find out what it’s all about and help make parkrun a reality for Heathcote.

“In 2024 Heathcote Health and Healthy Loddon Campaspe began discussions around a potential Heathcote based parkrun,” said Heathcote Health CEO Dan Douglass.

“The Heathcote and Districts population has significant numbers of people with chronic illness or disability, and we have recently seen an increase in young families moving to Heathcote.

“We envisioned a Heathcote based parkrun that could be a social prescribing option for people requiring exercise and/or socialisation.

“By including the McIvor Creek pathway in the parkrun circuit, we also hoped to generate local interest in developing a Master Plan for the McIvor Creek.”

Heathcote Health submitted a proposal to LaTrobe University Rural School of Health to undertake a fourth-year Occupational Therapy (OT) student project.

“The response from the Heathcote and Districts community was more than we could have hoped for, with a record number of positive responses to the survey for potential parkrun volunteers,” said Mr Douglass.

“Parkrun is positive, welcoming and inclusive, there is no time limit, and no one finishes last.

“Everyone is welcome to come along. Parkrun is a good option for people who are healthy and active, to get into the habit of doing regular exercise early on Saturday mornings and socializing with like-minded people, and also for people who are looking to become healthier and more active.

“Volunteering is an incredibly positive, fun and rewarding way to participate at parkrun, just like walking or running.

“Volunteer opportunities are many and varied and are fundamental to the delivery of all events.

“There is something for everyone from setting up the course, scanning people’s barcodes at the finish or ensuring everyone gets safely around the route as a marshall.”

Participants, volunteers and spectators are all encouraged to attend, have a coffee and meet event director Roy Munro, Darci Tierney from Healthy Loddon Campaspe, and parkrun ambassador Greg Leslie from parkrun Australia.