When Michelle Gunn decided Gloucester needed a parkrun, she put the call out to the community for expressions of interest and within 24 hours things were well underway.
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parkrun is a five kilometre, free event that runs every Saturday morning for all ages and abilities, and given Michelle is a strengthening and conditioning coach, its fits in with her mantra keeping active.
"It's just another initiative to help get people fit," Michelle said.
Starting a parkrun requires a $7000 set up fee, paid to the Australian parkrun organisation in order for the event to run under its banner.
According to Michelle, the money was raised within that first 24 hours, thanks to the generous support of community members, businesses and organisation, who are now known as Foundation Donors.
That was in February 2019.
Once the money said was sorted, it was all about getting everything else in order, from the location of the run, to approval from MidCoast Council as well as having everything inspected by parkrun Australia for the final tick.
And now, after almost a year, the Gloucester District parkrun has a launch date, Saturday, January 25 at 8am.
The launch is not only exciting for all those in Gloucester who've been waiting patiently for the start, but also for the many avid parkrun fans around the region and beyond, who love to be at parkrun launches.
With around 380 run locations across Australia, plus hundreds more around the world, the events attract a very social, friendly, encouraging crowd of people, whether they walk, jog or run it.
"If you're with a crowd of other active people, it supports you in your own fitness," Michelle said.
Another benefit to having a run in Gloucester is the appeal to tourists, as avid parkrunners will often pick locations to stay on their travels that have a run event on.
Gloucester's parkrun will take place every Saturday morning from 8am at the Junior Cricket Oval behind the grandstand at the Number One Oval in Gloucester District Park.
The success and longevity of the event will be determined by the drive and devotion of the volunteers.
Each run needs around five people to help out with the registration and timing, so Michelle is keen on getting a list of names of people willing to help in a rotating roster.
Before the official launch, Michelle will be holding a trial run on Sunday, January 12 and she is encouraging everyone to come on out and give it a go.
If you're interested in volunteering or want to learn more about how to get involved in the run, check out the Gloucester District parkrun Facebook page.
