1 Introduction

November 2021 marked the first step in our journey to bring a parkrun event to Port Pirie. We consulted parkrun Australia and subsequently made contact with the Port Pirie Council (“Council”) after which we posited our proposal to establish a local event. Our engagement with both Council and parkrun Australia culminated in Council agreeing to include our proposal on the next Council meeting’s agenda to be held on 27 April 2022. We appreciate Council’s engagement and continued support of our request; and expect that the deliberations of Council in this regard will be favorable. More specifically, we are hoping that Council will:

  • Grant us permission to use the identified venue for hosting our weekly events; and
  • Assist us with partial or full one off sponsorship to cater for the initial costs of setting up this event.

In the mean time, on 3 April 2022, we created a Facebook page (named Prospective parkrun in Port Pirie) and invited community members who are interested in participating in the envisaged parkrun events. We also invited expression of interests from community members via a short survey. The number of members on our Facebook page currently stand at 171 and the membership keeps growing. We have received 64 expressions of interest to date. A summary of the survey results is detailed below.

2 Results of the survey

2.1 Question 1: I would like to participate in the envisaged Port Pirie parkrun events in the following capacity

Below is a summary of the number of members who submitted expressions of interest broken down by the capacities in which they prefer to participate. The vast majority of respondents wish to participate as runners and/or walkers with a sustainable proportion expressing an interest to volunteer as well.

Table A.1 Expression of interest (participation capacity)
Capacity Number Proportion
Both volunteer and participant 19 0.296875
Participant only (running and/or walking) 40 0.625000
Volunteer only 2 0.031250
Watch and cheer 3 0.046875
Total 64 1.000000

2.2 Question 2: Please select the most preferred volunteer role you would like to assume

Below is a summary of the volunteer roles selected by interested respondents.

Table A.2 Expression of interest (volunteer role preference)
Volunteer role Number Proportion
Timekeeper 2 0.0952381
Tail walker 2 0.0952381
Finish token collection 4 0.1904762
Photographer 1 0.0476190
Barcode scanning 4 0.1904762
Run director 2 0.0952381
Event day course check 3 0.1428571
First timers brief 3 0.1428571
Total 21 1.0000000

3 Project plan

We have accomplished the following high level milestones to date:

  • Made contact with parkrun Australia and completed all the induction formalities;
  • Identified a suitable 5km course, performed a risk assessment of the same;
  • Attained the Event Ambassador’s approval of the course;
  • Sought land owner permission to use the identified venue;
  • Created a community of members who are interested in participating in the envisaged local parkrun.

The following key activities will be performed following the outcome of the Council meeting:

  • Finalisation and configuration of the 5km course;
  • Find funding;
  • Complete various paperwork pertaining to the establishment of the new event;
  • Conduct preparations to launch the event (including establishing the core Event Team, conduct trial parkruns among other activities);and
  • Launch the event.

4 Conclusion

We are very excited at the prospect of establishing a local parkrun event and are grateful for your interest and support. We will keep you informed of the progress of this project accordingly.

Please do not hesitate to contact the undersigned steering committee members should you wish to discuss the above-mentioned issues further.

Healthy Regards,

Janet Reid (Event Ambassador): Desmond Muzorewa: Kirstie Belci: