by Carla Caruso

For some, running is something to endure. For others, it’s a religion.

Recently, we chatted to teacher Ché Murray, who’s known online as ‘The Spare Minute Runner’, about what inspired him to lace up — and why he loves jogging in your Park Lands. Here, he share his story.

Over to you, Ché…

“I started running around 15 years ago after playing Premier League Reserve hockey for many years – and beginning a family.

I found the commitment to [hockey] training and games was becoming a bit much, hence I turned to running.

I found it more flexible to fit in around family commitments and work. Three kids under-five made for some pretty hectic times!

That said, my Insta handle came about from fitting in the running whenever I had a ‘spare minute’ – either super-early in the mornings (as I love catching the sunrise) or late at night. 

The name also came about as a way of documenting my recovery from injury in May 2018. I had a stress fracture in my leg and decided to document the rehab and journey back.

Ironically, the same injury was close to reoccurring recently due to an increased load in training for an event (the Melbourne Marathon on October 15).

I had to manage the injury, with the aid of a moon boot and a decreased load for two-and-a-half weeks!

Depending on training and events, I’m usually running anywhere between 50 and 115km a week.

I’m a regular at Nantu Wama parkrun [in North Adelaide’s Lefevre Park / Nantu Wama, Park 6] – one of my all-time favourite runs.

Not only does parkrun promote healthy lifestyles, it encourages people of all abilities to get out and enjoy the event.

One of my favourite memories is having one or two of my kids join me. It serves as a reminder to slow down and enjoy the run. 

In 2020, I decided to run 5km a day. It was also a phase of wearing a ridiculous amount of crazy socks. COVID put a little scare into the streak. However, I managed to run close to home for a few runs to keep the streak alive.

When the lockdown occurred, I turned to running laps of the backyard — not ideal, but I got it done!

Other crazy running ventures have included ultra-marathons (Yurrebilla Ultra, times three, across Black Hill and Morialta) and Heysen 105km (from Victor Harbor to near Adelaide).

I’ve enjoyed running the Adelaide Marathon and half-marathon a couple of times and enjoy how it goes along the River Torrens and through the Adelaide Botanic Garden [Park 11]. 

Running around the Park Lands is a wonderful way to explore our beautiful city! There are so many trails at our doorstep.

If I’m not running on Saturday around Nantu Wama, you’ll find me running along the River Torrens [Karrawirra Parri], either up to Black Hill or the opposite way down to the ocean.

Aside from that, running around Park 10 Uni Loop features quite prominently in my feed.

I love Adelaide and the surrounding Park Lands. As a runner, I’m constantly meeting new people on the trails and forming new friendships.

I also run with a couple of running groups – Prospect Run Club, which has runs every Tuesday and Friday morning, and the Mikkeller Running Club.

This one’s a little more social, meeting on the first Saturday of each month for a 5km run around the Adelaide Park Lands, followed by a few cheeky beers.

When I’m not running, I’m generally spending weekends driving our three kids to sport – either hockey, netball, gymnastics or soccer.

I have worked in Indigenous education for the last six years and am currently working up at Rostrevor College as the Indigenous program coordinator.

Not only do I love what I do, I literally have Morialta on the doorstep of work and I get up there as much as possible too!”