The special New Year’s Day Bairnsdale parkrun attracted 159 participants, the second-highest muster in the event’s history.
The only higher turnout was the inaugural run on March 12, 2016, when 165 runners checked out what all the fuss was about.
New Year’s enthusiasts took part in a mix of running, jogging and walking, enjoying the course for both fitness and recreation.
The field was led home by Hamish McConville in a personal best time of 17 minutes 49 seconds, with the first female finisher, Alexia Wood (22.37), recording her first look at the course.
The event welcomed 48 first-time participants and recorded 19 personal best performances. Runners achieving personal bests included Nic McConachy (21.07), Jay Symons (23.31), Clinton Whelan (24.11), Mick Bedford (25.03), William Wright (27.01), Sandra Baido (27.30), Bec Voss (29.08), Brie Leigh (30.45), Jaxson Weeks (31.30), Ashlie Weeks (31.37), Deegan Dyer (34.50), Kim James (34.59), Debbie Cupitt (40.31), Garry Creek (41.28), Tarli Preston (44.40), Beverley Duffy (47.53), Linda Vanduynhoven (50.51) and Chloe Laity (52.09).
Clubs represented included Riviera Triathlon Club, Traralgon Harriers, Lakes and District Runners, RunLikeCrazy, Achilles Running Club Melbourne, East Gippsland Runners, Baw Baw Runners, Emerald Runners, Birdsland Reserve Runners – Run Down Under Team, Up ‘n Active and Australia Post Group.
The weekly event was made possible by the efforts of volunteers Stacey Ashley, Janine Bromwich, Roslyn Hawkins, Robyn Kercher, Lynne Olinsky-Jones, Glynn Riseley, Clare Stone and Jessica Theodore.
Bairnsdale parkrun takes place every Saturday, departing at 8am.
