In August 2019, Kat and Michael Sliwinski pulled up their Canberra stumps to travel Australia - and what better way to experience the nation's beauty, than to run?
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With their caravan and two daughters Elle, 2, and Eve, 4, in tow, the Sliwinski family intended to take on about 17 five-kilometre Parkruns; "at least one in every state and territory", Mrs Sliwinski said.
So far, they've done nine. They are looking to visit some 53 towns on their trip, and return to the national capital in December.
"We think our favourite Parkrun so far has been Cloncurry [in Queensland]," Mrs Sliwinski said.
"It was in someone's paddock where they had to open the gate for us and let us run through. It was all on sand and dust.
"There was a total of seven people participating, whereas at home at the Gungahlin Parkrun, we're used to 250 people each week."
As of Monday, the Sliwinskis were holed up in Fitzroy Crossing in Western Australia. Having already travelled up the nation's east coast, and through the Northern Territory, they would head to Broome for a while, before moving down the west coast and across southern Australia.
Saturday's Port Hedland Parkrun was next on their agenda.
"We're trying to avoid the big cities that we can easily access with a flight from home so that we can explore parts of Australia that are harder to get to," Mrs Sliwinski said.
Mrs Sliwinski is on the event committee for the Gungahlin Parkrun. Her and her husband have been regular participants since July 2013, having also volunteered more than 130 times to help with its co-ordination.
The Flynn-based couple did two Parkruns on their honeymoon six years ago, and their daughters have taken to the family tradition. Elle and Eve often come along in a running pram, with Eve sometimes getting out to jog beside it.
"We've just visited Airlie Beach where Eve did her first Junior Parkrun, which was really exciting," Mrs Sliwinski said.
"They are usually fairly shy girls but they've completely come out of their shells and they love it."
Mrs Sliwinski would continue to volunteer at some of the Parkruns on their trip. Chief executive of the initiative's Australian leg, Tim Oberg, said "Parkrun tourism" was taking off.
"We find that our regulars at least take into account if there is a Parkrun nearby while they are on holidays, while others, like the Sliwinskis, take it more seriously," he said.
"It doesn't matter where you are in the world, Parkrun something that's familiar and welcoming."
Parkrun is held in more than 2000 locations globally, with six in the ACT: Gungahlin, Ginninderra, Mount Ainslie, Burley Griffin, Coombs, and Tuggeranong. A seventh would launch soon at Wagi Bridge, a Parkrun spokeswoman said.
Cassandra Morgan
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
It has never been more important for Canberrans to be able to access reliable and accurate information about health. As The Canberra Times’ health reporter, I am committed to ensuring our readers have access to this. I, like many in the territory, have family members who work in the sector. Although providing comprehensive coverage on the coronavirus pandemic is obviously my number one priority, I aim to frequently shed light on the fantastic work our frontline professionals do, as well as the challenges they face. Email me tips and story ideas at: c.morgan@canberratimes.com.au.
