# 10 Parkrun, and other challenges

Woken by the sunshine and the noisy kingfisher in the tree outside my window I realised I had time for breakfast and the Parkrun. Equipped with SPF50, hat and barcode by 07:45 I was being briefed about the route, and had already spotted and chatted with Colin. He's had a recent set back so was using a walking frame, although he told me that he's planning on getting rid of it soon. Colin's first parkrun was 36 years ago - when he was 64.

A few runners complained about "the chill in the air", despite it being 18 degrees. The Whangerai Parkrun passes over two bridges, each of these sometimes opens for river traffic below. Both pretty bridges, on a different day I caught one of them performing her graceful yoga for a passing boat.

Parkruns are very often a great way to chat to locals as a visitor; I am not a regular at home, but often visit one when I'm away. This Saturday was my 7th Parkrun none of them in the same location. The surf forecast was flat (0-1 foot), so I was looking for recommendations to add to my list of sights. "Are you a local?" is always a good conversation starter, and there's usually a coffee place where runners meet post run. In Whangerai it's a cabin right at the start.

It turns out Alex wasn't a local - he was from France, in-fact he wasn't a Park-runner either. He'd been in his camper van and woken by all the sweaty people ordering coffee. (I thought his lack of sweat was a measure of his level of fitness.) My explanation of Parkrun wasn't sufficient to entice him to consider the challenge for himself.

Back at where I was staying (less than 10 minute walk from a surf beach with no waves,) I put on a wash. Using the top loader machine was a new experience, as was having to put on another layer of SPF50 to put the washing out on the line and take it in again, just under an hour later when it had dried. Enough time to get online and log my (Mum's) damaged suitcase with Air New Zealand. With a full week here and still zero surf I swam every day, and explored the area. New Years Eve I attended a full day event just down the road - Waipu Highland Games. A damp day of caber tossing, kilts, Scottish dancing, bag pipes and singing wasn't what I'd planned as part of my travels. It was great fun, especially the "have a go" at caber tossing (unfortunately only for kids). Food vans and stalls meant I was well fed, and ended the year with ice cream before bed.

New Year's Day found me back at the parkrun, and then for a coffee, actually an affogato which felt like a great way to start 2025. I followed this with a hike up the local mount with a fellow parkrun tourist. Although if you live on a boat and move between countries are you never a tourist, or always a tourist? We met again the next day to check if Ocean Beach really had zero surf (it did), and to hike up Mount Maninia. Culturally, geologically and historically interesting, and it also has Kiwis, the hike there and back covered 4km and went up to 420m of elevation. I had my hiking poles and we managed it in about an hour. We went at a challenging pace and I definitely held back my American friend, who would be better matched with my sister's stride. Evidently living on a boat for 20 to 30 years is good for you.

Whangerai Parkrun is the most northerly one in New Zealand, and the only one anywhere I have visited more than once. I returned for a third time on a warm rainy Saturday morning (perfect weather). I was delighted to spot Colin without his walking frame, as well as another local celebrity who has run 51km every day in 2024, and appears to be intent on continuing her challenge in 2025. (Yes; I was told she does also hold down a job, as a lawyer if you're wondering.)

My Parkrun friend wasn't there - sheltering in New Zealand to avoid the South Pacific hurricane season she was off looking for road transport, although feeling challenged by the need to drive on the left and use roundabouts.

We each have our own personal level and context of challenge, not always visible to others. I was pleased with my Parkrun time of just under 33 minutes, but of all I think Colin's achievement is the highest challenge.