Organiser and South West Rocks Sport and Recreation Association president Holly Gaddes was pleased people still turned up despite the poor conditions.

“It was raining and we weren’t sure how many people were going to show up,” Ms Gaddes said.

“But it ended up being very successful and it was an awesome morning.”

The social event is a free, weekly, timed 5km run or walk which encourages the community to come together to participate in a healthy activity. 

People are encouraged to meet at the playground deck at Horseshoe Bay Reserve at 6.45am for a 7am start every Saturday.

The aim of the Parkrun is to encourage an active lifestyle and to increase connection within the community.

“We received great feedback, people told us ‘it was fantastic’ and it really was,” Ms Gaddes said.

People travelled from as far as Brisbane and Sydney for the launch of the Parkrun.

“One person was participating in their 147th different Parkrun while another person celebrated their 100th,” Ms Gaddes said. 

“It’s great the Parkrun has attracted a lot of people from out of town to our beautiful region.”

The Horseshoe Bay Reserve Parkrun was the first parkrun in the Kempsey Shire and was made possible through funding from the Mid North Coast Local Area Health District and the North Coast Primary Healthcare Network ‘Healthy Towns’ initiative.

Volunteers are most welcome, contact the group via their website http://www.parkrun.com.au/horseshoebayreserve/ or search the Horseshoe Bay Reserve parkrun Facebook page.

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