Hamilton parkrun – paving the path to a healthier community.

In a weekly event in which participants can walk or run a 5km journey, the parkrun series is a great way to take a step into a new community.

Emily Chamberlain, 20, is a regular in the Hamilton Lake edition. Emily’s current Saturday morning routine consists of a 7am wake-up, hopping into some running gear, and heading out for her 5km trek.

After the parkrun is done, she likes to head somewhere for “a cheeky coffee” before going on with her day, with a nice sense of purpose. She went on to say, “I feel like every time I do the parkrun, I end up being a lot more productive that day, it’s a great start to my Saturdays.”

After picking up the idea of participating in the parkrun from her parents, who have participated in Whanganui, Wellington and Kirikiriroa, Emily has used the parkrun to stay connected and catch up with her brother Max Chamberlain each week.

As well as being a great event for people to attend, it’s also dog friendly, which is something that has kept Max going to this event over 100 times. When asked about the different opportunities at the parkrun, Emily said “I love showing up every weekend and having a chance to pat and walk the dogs”.

Staying healthy and making sure you keep hold of your social connections is something that Emily encourages all people to be on track with, and finds the parkrun a great way to do so, saying, “it’s such a great excuse to step out every morning and have some interactions with my family and friends.”

Although Emily may still be new to all of this, there is no doubt about her excitement to keep going. “I never thought I would look forward to stepping outside every Saturday morning, but now it’s hard not to!” she says.

Whether they decide to walk with the dogs or try tackle a personal best with a good run, the Chamberlains are a great example of the versatility of the event, and the people that participate in the community.