The last time the Dubbo parkrun community gathered together was March 14. Now, they have been given the news parkrun will return later this month thanks to a lifting of COVID-19 restrictions.
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Dubbo parkrun event director Miriam Tan said the run directors and parkrun community were excited it was finally NSW's turn to return.
"We've been watching other states go back safely so it's wonderful that it's NSW's turn."
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While the official date for NSW is December 19th, Dubbo parkrun still have to gain approvals from Dubbo Regional Council to use the land, and several documents have to be submitted outlining their COVID-19 safe plan.
"Parkrun have produced a COVID19 Framework which outlines some of the changes we need to make - they include having sanitiser for volunteers, keeping the time spent mingling to a minimum (such as at the main briefing or after the event) and having a QR code for people to check in.
"Otherwise, there aren't too much changes which is great - we want to keep the vibe of being 'easy going' and organised," Ms Tan said.
An announcement on the Dubbo parkrun Facebook page on Friday morning has already garnered a lot of interest, excitement and people willing to take up volunteer roles for the first event back.
"The Dubbo parkrun community has always been so supportive when the events were suspended.
Already with the announcement of the relaunch, we've been overwhelmed by people wanting to volunteer, which shows that the event is more than just a 5km run, you can walk, jog or volunteer and be part of this special community.
- Event director Miriam Tan
"Already with the announcement of the relaunch, we've been overwhelmed by people wanting to volunteer, which shows that the event is more than just a 5km run, you can walk, jog or volunteer and be part of this special community."
Miss Tan said she was 'reasonable confident' the numbers will be under the 3,000 benchmark when it returns - saying they only had 1000 tokens to begin with.
"December has historically been a quiet month - due to warm weather, Christmas holidays and Christmas parties. I think attendance will be a combination of - those busting to come back, those in Dubbo for holidays or those looking to participate in some physical activity without the price tag.
"But attendance may also be low due to those away from Dubbo, or a bit worried about being in a big crowd, or those that like to go earlier / choose other activities because of the weather.
However, she sad numbers weren't really too important as long as people came along and enjoyed themselves.
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Lynn Rayner
I am the editor of the Daily Liberal, Mailbox Shopper, Western Magazine and associated western publications (Wellington Times and Narromine News which are both online only publications). I have been the editor for three years. I have been a journalist for 15 years and was formally the digital specialist for the Western NSW area assisting with digital coverage and growth across 13 mastheads, including the three dailies. Before that I worked as a journalist in Lithgow and Mudgee covering a number of different rounds. I established the social media accounts in Lithgow and took an interest in the digital aspects of the paper. I started my journalism career at the former Myall Coast Nota based as the journalist-in-charge at Tea Gardens while also working part time in Forster as the council reporter for the Great Lakes Advocate.
I am the editor of the Daily Liberal, Mailbox Shopper, Western Magazine and associated western publications (Wellington Times and Narromine News which are both online only publications). I have been the editor for three years. I have been a journalist for 15 years and was formally the digital specialist for the Western NSW area assisting with digital coverage and growth across 13 mastheads, including the three dailies. Before that I worked as a journalist in Lithgow and Mudgee covering a number of different rounds. I established the social media accounts in Lithgow and took an interest in the digital aspects of the paper. I started my journalism career at the former Myall Coast Nota based as the journalist-in-charge at Tea Gardens while also working part time in Forster as the council reporter for the Great Lakes Advocate.
