Join us for parkrun at the end of the #BetterInRed challenge! On Saturday, 29 April CSU staff will be volunteering at parkrun in almost all of our campus locations.
Dress up, have fun and conquer the five kilometre goal at your own pace! You could also win some great prizes. If you’re an online student, join a parkrun near you or simply head out the door at 8am and create your own course.
What is parkrun?
Parkrun is a worldwide concept where volunteers in cities all over the globe organise free, weekly five kilometre timed events that are open to all levels of fitness and experience. Whether you’re a walker or a runner, a beginner or an Olympian, parkrun is for everyone.
On Saturday 29 April, to wrap up the #BetterInRed challenge, we’re hoping to paint parkrun events in Albury, Bathurst, Dubbo, Orange and Port Macquarie red with a sea of CSU participants!
CSU staff from all campuses are already lined up to volunteer on the day, doing jobs like timekeeping, riding the lead bike, being the tail runner (walker) and handing out tokens.
If you’re in Wagga Wagga, fear not! While there isn’t a parkrun event in Wagga Wagga, we’ve organised an equivalent five kilometre timed event for Saturday 29 April at Lake Albert. Meet us at Apex Park to walk, jog or run around the Lake Albert Walking Track!
Why should I do it?
It’s heaps of fun and you’ll get to meet lots of other CSU people – students and staff – who are also on the #BetterInRed challenge.
Not to mention you could win a FitBit! Help us turn parkrun red on Saturday 29 April by getting moving in your best red gear and taking some snaps along the way. The three best photos taken at parkrun (or on your personal course) on Saturday 29 April will win a FitBit Alta. Share your photo using #BetterInRed.
It’s free! All you need to do is register. You’ll need to register online (and get your unique barcode to print out) before the event.
What do I bring?
Yourself! Just turn up ready to run at your chosen event and parkrun takes care of the rest.
Wear suitable shoes for running or walking plus your best and brightest red items of clothing. Extra props to someone who runs in a Santa suit!
Don’t forget to print out a copy of your barcode (you’ll be given this when you register) otherwise you can’t get an official recorded time for your run.
What do I do on the day of the run?
Once you’ve registered and printed out your own personal barcode, you just need to turn up ready to run at whichever event is closest to you. Make your way to the start area and be ready to run at the specified start time – 8am!
The run director will usually make important safety announcements before the start. Please listen carefully. Think about where you’ll start from – at the front or back of the crowd; if you’re likely to complete the run in 19 minutes or less make sure you’re at the front. If you’re likely to take longer than 30 minutes please start further back – this is for everybody’s safety.
How to prepare
Make sure you’re registered. Read the course description on your city’s parkrun website.
Keep up your regular #BetterInRed exercise, three times a week for 30 minutes, and consider adding some jogging into the mix if you haven’t already.
Find some friends and convince them to come along with you. Or better yet, sign them up and wait for the registration confirmation email to hit their inbox.
Find your nearest parkrun
Parkrun is happening at 8am every Saturday in the following locations:
- Albury-Wodonga at Hovell Tree Park, Wodonga Place, Albury
- Bathurst at Bicentennial Park, corner of William and Stanley Streets, Bathurst
- Dubbo at Sandy Beach Park, Dubbo
- Orange at Gosling Creek Reserve, Orange
- Port Macquarie at Town Green (adjacent to the corner of Hay Street and Sunset Parade), Port Macquarie
What about Wagga Wagga?
Wagga Wagga isn’t lucky enough to have a parkrun event but there will still be a #BetterInRed walking and running event in Wagga Wagga on Saturday 29 April at Lake Albert. Meet near the boat ramp at Apex Park at 8.15am for an 8.30am start and walk, jog or run around the Lake Albert Walking Track!
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#BetterInRed is all about getting the most out of university life by looking after your health and wellbeing. It is an exercise challenge that will run for eight weeks from Monday 6 March.
So, lace up, get out and challenge yourself to complete 30 minutes of exercise three times per week. Share your exercise using #BetterInRed and you could win some great prizes!
Find out more at social.csu
