02/03/2026
While our was cancelled last Saturday (and is again on March 7), many of our core team headed to other events to volunteer. At Cruickshank Park parkrun, Jane completed her 100th day of volunteering. In addition to being a Run Director, Jane is now also an Event Ambassador, helping to support other event teams across Melbourne. Thanks Jane!
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I first heard about parkrun in 2016 and completed my first 5k at Albert Park that year. Since then I have volunteered more than I have run it. I started volunteering in 2023, when I was training for the London marathon and didnโt want to run on a Saturday. I really enjoyed it - the teamwork, the fun, making new friends and cheering on all finishers whether they were running or walking. And of course, the post parkrun breakfast.
I knew I wanted to get involved more and when Joanne asked me if I wanted to join the team and be one of the Run Directors I immediately said yes. Itโs been so much fun being part of the team to put on the event each Saturday. Albert is a big event so you get to use your problem solving skills a lot - whether its reminding people to stay away from the swans in spring to dealing with the logistics of a large event and ensuring we donโt impact other park users too much.
My most memorable moment was a year ago when we got our (then) largest numbers attending - around 1300 finishers. My co-run director for the day, Alex, and I watched a sea of runners/walkers coming towards the finish and realised it was about to be mayhem. But we worked together so well to just keep the funnel moving. It was wild but we had a good laugh after. Iโd also say having to encourage a mamma duck and her babies to move from the start line where they had decided to sit only minutes before we were due to start was memorable.
I would encourage everyone to give volunteering a go. Itโs a lot of fun, easy to do and you get to meet lots of people on the day and make new friends. The endless โthank yousโ from the participants is an added bonus. Being part of a community event thatโs about having fun and being healthy is a plus.
๐ฉ๐ผ๐น๐๐ป๐๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฟ๐ ๐ป๐ฒ๐ฒ๐ฑ๐ฒ๐ฑ ๐ณ๐ผ๐ฟ ๐ ๐ฎ๐ฟ๐ฐ๐ต 14
We will need extra volunteers for our return on March 14, for reasons that will be revealed soon.... If you can help, please let us know.