by Carla Caruso
Giddy-up! Keen joggers and walkers can hoof it to a new parkrun at Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama (Park 6), known for its horse paddocks and bridle track.
Originating in the UK, parkruns are free, weekly, community events, held all around the globe.
The Saturday morning sessions are 5km long and take place in parks and open spaces everywhere, no matter the weather.
They’re intended to be positive, welcoming, and inclusive experiences, with no time limit and no one finishing last.
The new event in North Adelaide joins two other, well-established runs in the Adelaide Park Lands – one along the River Torrens / Karrawirra Parri, and another at Pakapakanthi / Victoria Park (Park 16).
Instagrammer Katie Wood Runs (left) gave the new course the thumbs-up. “A mix of bitumen and trail and a few horses thrown in there as well.”
About 195 participants ran or walked the course at the first event in North Adelaide on July 30.
Co-event director Tina Nilsson says: “We also had 18 volunteers taking on various roles, including run director, barcode scanner, photographer, tailwalker, and marshal.
“I selected Nantu Wama as the location for a new parkrun as it had the space to create an out-and-back 5km course, covering the bike paths and trails of the park.
“It really is a hidden treasure in the city with views of the Mount Lofty Ranges, the horses, and a gentle incline from east to west.
“There is lots of parking nearby and having the Glover Playground and toilet block facilities close to the start are also features that our parkrunners appreciate.”
Volunteers helped make the first morning a success. Photo: David Fielding.
Nilsson adds: “parkrun is very much about supporting the local community and we had many head to coffee and brunch at the local cafes and bakery afterwards.”
Nantu Wama parkrun will now be held every Saturday at 8am. It’s free for all, and participants can register at parkrun.com.au/register.
Feeling inspired to lace up? Check out our story on other running groups in the Park Lands here.
The first run in North Adelaide takes off. Photo: David Fielding.
