Eight Years Strong Cardwell Parkrun Brings Community Together

Participants gather to socialise following Cardwell parkrun on 16 June 2018, with the post-event catch-up becoming a much-loved part of the weekly community tradition. Photo supplied

‍

By Chelsea Ravizza

‍

On a routine Saturday morning before most of the Cassowary Coast has finished breakfast, dozens of locals and visitors gather on the Cardwell Foreshore, not just to walk or run five kilometres, but to reconnect with friends, improve their health and strengthen a community that's been doing just that since 2018.

What has become one of Cardwell's most cherished weekly traditions began eight years ago with a simple idea after local resident Janet Arnold experienced her first parkrun while visiting family in the big smoke.

‍

"I first became aware of parkrun when I visited my daughter and new grandson in Brisbane, and we pushed the pram around the Sandgate parkrun," Janet said.

"My immediate thought was, Cardwell's Foreshore is the perfect location for a parkrun!”

‍

Determined to make it happen, Janet teamed up with local resident Jodi Jansen to map out a suitable course, measuring the five-kilometre route by bike and with distance wheels before making a submission to parkrun Australia for consideration. Originally, the pair hoped to include the iconic Cardwell Jetty in the course, however safety concerns quickly ruled out the proposal.

"The original idea was to include the jetty, but the narrow width and lack of fencing was not a smart concept in crocodile-infested waters," she laughed.

‍

After securing funding through the 2018 Commonwealth Games Legacy Program, sourcing a donated defibrillator and recruiting volunteers, Cardwell was almost ready to host its inaugural event on 10th March. However, then came the rain!

"So, Cardwell parkrun became the first postponed inaugural event in Australia," Janet said.

‍

Fortunately, a week later, the skies cleared and, on 17^th March 2018, Cardwell parkrun officially began, sparking a weekly morning tradition that has since brought together hundreds of locals and visitors through friendship, fitness and community connection. Today, eight years on, the event continues under the leadership of co-event directors Kerry Snell and Anita Davina, who say the welcoming atmosphere has become just as important as the exercise.

"We consider our parkrun a boutique parkrun for everyone to enjoy," they said.

‍

"More often than not, at 7am, the clouds part for our event, even though its raining elsewhere! Visitors and regular participants say it's a wonderful course with beautiful views, wide paths and a very friendly, positive and encouraging atmosphere."

‍

Beyond fitness, the pair say the weekly event has become a place where friendships flourish and confidence grow.

"There’s a social aspect to parkrun where participants who would normally walk or run on their own have found a like-minded community that has resulted in friendship and a feeling of inclusiveness," they said.

‍

"We've seen people recovering from injury or illness use parkrun to motivate themselves to improve their overall mental health and fitness."

‍

Weekly, the event welcomes participants of all ages and abilities, with walkers, runners, families, children, grandparents and even dogs on leads all joining the Saturday morning tradition. One local family now has three generations taking part each week, both as volunteers and participants.

Volunteers remain the heart of Cardwell parkrun, with around seven people needed every week to set up the course, keep time, scan barcodes, hand out finish tokens, process results and safely deliver the event.

‍

"Our volunteers are the lifeblood of this event," Kerry and Anita said.

"Without them, we simply wouldn't exist."

‍

Regular visitors also return year after year, making Cardwell parkrun part of their seasonal travels, before many head to Seabreeze Café together for coffee and breakfast after crossing the finish line.

‍

Kerry and Anita warmly invite the community to pop down to participate on cheer on their neighbours this Saturday from 7am sharp at the Cardwell Foreshore.  

‍

“We present a welcoming atmosphere to all comers, including dogs on leashes, so they can start their day in the best way possible! We cheer everyone along, whether it be a fast runner or slow walker, all are welcome!”