Elara Riparian Parklands parkrun

What an incredible morning! We had ✅ 141 participants ✅ 39 PBs unlocked ✅ 21 volunteers, and ✅ 14 First Timers giving parkrun a go! 🎉 This included a surprise visit from the Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Brad Bunting - huge thanks to local legend Matthew, for acting as his navigation ninja 🥷🏻 around the course. We were also joined by dynamic duo, and parkwalker cheer squad, Koppo & Fiona, bringing unmatched energy alongside their mascots Hulk & Taz! ⚡ Fantastic job to everyone who walked, jogged, or ran with us today! 🫶

👏 Let's give a huge round of applause to our milestone legends! 🥳 Congratulations to:
🟣 25th parkrun - Riley Gange, Amelia Meischke, Arif Khan
⚫ 100th parkrun - Guriqbal Singh
⚪ First time volunteer milestone - Surendra Anne
🟣 25th volunteer milestone - Badari Kodegenahalli, Stephen O'Donovan
🔴 50th volunteer milestone - Guriqbal Singh

And to our First Finishers:
🥇 James McQuillan - 19:12
🥇 Erin Pridmore - 24:38

🦺 Thank you to all our amazing 21 hi-vis heroes, including Run Directors Robin and Bhupinder: ✨ Koppo KOPCIKAS • Fiona HINCHLIFFE • Stephen O'DONOVAN • Bhupinder KHERA • Andrew KEARNS • Sneha THAPA • Guriqbal SINGH • Sophie MADGWICK • Jyothish KALAVOOR PARAMBIL • Jagdeep SINGH • Meenakshi JYOTHISH • Esha JYOTHISH • Jacqueline ANNE • Badari KODEGENAHALLI • Anojan SHANTHAKUMAR • Zubi RABBI • Dilroop KHERA • Salma BAH • Buta DEOGUN • Surendra ANNE • Braden DOYLE

📸 AJ & Robin were our photographers - photos will be up soon!

📈 Results can be found online: https://www.parkrun.com.au/elarariparianparklands/results/48/

📣 Next week is a special week - it's Pacer Week at our parkrun, proudly led by the Elara Run Club crew! 🏃 Get ready to lock in with our pacers to help you crush those fitness goals! 🚀

See you all again next Saturday!
— 🌳
🎤 Event #48
📆 Saturday, 29 August 2026

Today, we were very fortunate to have our Mayor of Blacktown City, Councillor Brad Bunting, join our parkrun! 🌳 A massive shout out to local regular, Matthew, for shadowing and guiding him around the course. 🏃‍♂️

Great way to start the morning with my first visit to the Elara Riparian Parklands parkrun! We’re lucky to have a number of parkruns across Blacktown City. They’re a great way to stay active, meet new people and kick off the weekend. Shout-out to Matthew for keeping me company along the way! Elara Riparian Parklands parkrun

🚨 Lost property alert! For anyone that joined us at parkrun today, a jacket was left behind near the BBQ area. Let us know asap if this is yours. 👕

It's parkruneve! 🌳 Time to get ready and remember to bring your Blacktown Mayoral Fun Run medal 🏅 to our parkrun this Saturday, so we can celebrate your achievements, and snap a group photo too! ✨

🙏 Robin and Bhupinder are your Run Directors, leading a fantastic volunteer crew - a huge thank you to everyone stepping up to help our parkrun this weekend! 💛

🙌 New to parkrun? Sign up at https://www.parkrun.com.au/register/ and then bring your barcode (printed, or download the "parkrun official" app and add your details), ready to scan in after the finish line. 🏁

📍 We meet at 7.45am sharp, near the BBQ area on Ribbonwood Crescent, Melonba.

✅️ Please make sure you are fit to walk or run the 5km course, keeping in mind you're always welcome to exit the course early if needed.

🕗 Schedule:
7.45am First Timers Welcome
7.50am Pre-Event Briefing
8.00am 3, 2, 1.. parkrun!

❌ Friendly reminder: Toilets are not available in these parklands, nearest facilities are at Elara Village Shopping Centre (3-minute drive away) and next to our post-parkrun coffee spot.

ℹ️ Course information: https://www.parkrun.com.au/elarariparianparklands/course/

🚗 Street parking is limited, so please consider walking, cycling, or car-pooling if possible.

☕ We head to Leaf Cafe & Co Marsden Park after parkrun, and everyone is welcome!

Words from the Field: 🗣️ Thank you so much, Bikendra Adhikari, for the wonderful shoutout! 🌳 We love seeing you & your family out on the course, and we're so grateful for your continued support, encouragement, and help as a regular volunteer too! 🫶

"So proud of my home parkrun, Elara Riparian Parklands parkrun!

From the very first day of parkrun at Elara, Marsden Park, it has been incredibly welcoming to everyone and has consistently gone above and beyond to recognise and appreciate community organisations, community members, supporters, running clubs, volunteers and everyone who contributes to making this parkrun special.

It’s more than just a 5K run; it’s a place where people come together, friendships grow, and our community becomes stronger and healthier.

A huge thank you and congratulations to the entire Elara Riparian Parklands parkrun team and all the amazing volunteers. You make our home parkrun truly special. ❤️👏"