At 6.45am every Saturday, runners, joggers and walkers gather at Berrinba Wetlands for Berrinba parkrun, a free 5km event that has been part of the local community for about a decade.
Co-event director Brendan Watts said the event began in 2014, launched by local Adam Shannon, and has grown steadily since.
Mr Watts first joined as a participant in 2015 before stepping into more senior volunteering roles in 2021.
On average, about 200 people take part in Berrinba’s parkrun each week, though numbers can shift depending on weather and other events.
“It’s quite varied,” Mr Watts said.
“You’ve got your faster runners who might be pushing for a time, and then plenty of people who are there just for the social or fitness aspect.”
Mr Watts said Berrinba parkrun stands out because it is a single-lap course, a rarity in Australia, where many parkruns follow out-and-back or multi-lap formats.
The shaded wetlands track, with native flora and fauna, also offers relief during the warmer months, Mr Watts said.
Volunteers are essential to keeping the event running, Mr Watts said. Without enough people filling key roles, the event cannot go ahead.
“If we don’t have those essential volunteers, we basically have to cancel,” Mr Watts said.
Locals can register online to receive a barcode, which allows them to either participate or volunteer.
For first-timer parkrun participants who may feel intimidated, Mr Watts has simple advice: “Just show up,” he said. “That’s probably the hardest part.”
Mr Watts said the event’s impact goes beyond physical fitness.
“Some people come along purely for the social connection,” he said.
“We’ve seen people start out just walking and then become really involved in volunteering, joining running clubs or even taking part in other community events.”
Mr Watts said parkrun’s inclusive model was central to its success.
“It doesn’t matter your age, your background or your ability,” he said. “It’s not just about fast runners.
“If you’re unsure what to do, just ask someone and they’ll point you in the right direction.”
