PHOTO: Barry Broe, Heidi Hodgson, Anita Murray, Madison Loughland, Pravind Easwaran, Maddy Strudwick, Allira Bleas, Terrie Parsons, Ellie O’Connor, Fran Mooy, Lauren Melrose. Front row: Arkie Pickering with Bess, Lydia Paine, Tessa Parry, Natalie Melis, Kylie Parry, Ben Grant, Charlie Ginty (in hat). Photo: Olga Broe
The Coonamble Run Club (CRC) took off on Saturday 27 April on their first run. A total of 18 eager runners and one pooch started their weekend with a five kilometre run.
“We had a great time,” organiser Tessa Parry said.
Tessa started the running club as a way to get together socially while also doing a healthy activity.
“I’ve sort of been thinking about it for a while. A few people in town encouraged me to do it.
“I’ve been seeing it successfully pop up in other rural communities. It’s an easy thing to organise without too much commitment.”
Each week the group starts from a different café.
Last week, the runners went to Al’s Global Village café.
Tessa said she is hoping to switch up which café they go to each time to “spread the love around.”
“We had a mix of different ages and abilities. “We had a speedy group in the front, some solid runners in the middle, and some walkers at the end.”
Among some familiar faces in Coonamble, new people also joined. “It’s a nice way to meet people if you’re new in town,” Parry said.
The CRC’s run went around the back of town, onto the levee bank and back down to the Main Street.
Parry was thrilled with the turnout and hoped more people will join in the coming weeks.
“It’s free. It’s social. I’m hoping it taps into a subgroup of people who might not enjoy working in gyms.”
Parry is planning on participating in the Pilliga trail running event in September. Participants can opt to join in for the 10, 20, or 50 kilometre run throughout the three-day event.
The CRC will continue their exercise journey each Wednesday and Saturday morning at 6 a.m. and 7:30 a.m., respectively.