Pāuanui Parkrun gets residents active together

Pāuanui Parkrun attracted more than 50 people on November 30.

Pāuanui resident Lily Paulsen has introduced an international running event to the town, bringing people together with a common interest in staying active.

Paulsen has launched parkrun, a free community event where people can walk, jog or run together.

A group of close to 60 turned out for the inaugural event at the southern end of Pāuanui Beach on November 30 after Paulsen and a group of like-minded volunteers spent months in planning and preparing.

She announced the event in September and said she was “pleasantly surprised” with the turnout as rain didn’t deter those keen to stretch their legs.

“A group of 56 turned up to run, jog, or walk along the beachfront as our amazing group of local volunteers waited patiently in the rain.

“We were pleasantly surprised by the turnout despite the weather, and all the happy faces that came with the crowd.”

Bringing a running group to the town had long been a dream of her father and run-director Neil Paulsen.

“What better way to bring the community together than starting up Pāuanui‘s very own parkrun which is already a worldwide running group,” Paulsen said.

Volunteers were on hand to co-ordinate the event.

Parkrun was established in Britain in 2004 as a collection of 5km events for walkers and runners on Saturday mornings. It has since grown to more than 2000 locations worldwide.

The parkrun group in Pāuanui, based out of the Southend Reserve, is among more than 50 parkruns in New Zealand.

Whangamatā launched a parkrun in April, which has proved to be a hit with the event drawing participants from out of town.

The 5km course stretches along the banks of Pāuanui Beach.

Paulsen said the Pāuanui Parkrun was now officially the 55th one in New Zealand.

“The Paulsen family aim to attract anyone regardless of their level of fitness, and just to bring as much positivity to the town as they can.

“The South End Reserve Parkrun will be held every Saturday at 8am. It is a 5km course that allows the options to run or walk regardless of your ability.

South End Reserve in Pāuanui marks the starting point.

“We are so happy to finally have this event every weekend, and we invite anyone to join the friendly team.”

The course is a mapped out run along the foreshore of Pāuanui Beach on a grass surface.

Pāuanui Parkrun volunteers, led by Lily Paulsen, pictured kneeling at front.

Anyone keen to get involved can register at the parkrun website parkrun.co.nz/ if they want their run times recorded or email southendreserve@parkrun.com for more details.

“You do not need to be there every Saturday and even if you are available once, that is all we ask. There is always room for more part-time volunteers, even just for the odd occasion.”