Jacqui Still and Sue Poole celebrate a decade of Parkrun in Moree. Photo: Moree Online News
Moree parkrun has celebrated a decade of Saturday morning running, walking and volunteering, almost 10 years to the day since 47 people took part in the town’s first event.
Runners, walkers and volunteers marked the milestone on Saturday, September 19, with cake, decorations and Zooper Doopers adding to the usual five-kilometre event.
The first Moree parkrun was held on September 24, 2016, after being established by Carmel Kennedy. Long-time volunteer Sue Poole was among those who took part in that inaugural event.
Ten years later, the free weekly event has grown considerably, with Moree parkrun breaking through the 100-participant mark for the first time earlier in 2026.
While finishing times are recorded and participants can chase personal bests, Poole said the event is as much about getting active and socialising as it is running.
For many, the competition is simply against their own previous time.
That approach has brought together walkers, recreational runners and experienced athletes over the years, while Ronny’s Runners have also become regular participants.
Participants of the 10 year anniversary of Parkrun starting their run. Photo: Moree Online News
Behind each Saturday morning event is a team of volunteers taking care of the jobs needed to get everyone around the course and record their results.
Poole has volunteered at parkrun more than 270 times, as well as completing more than 230 runs herself.
Jacqui Still is another of Moree parkrun’s longest-serving volunteers, having volunteered more than 300 times.
Poole and Still also handle much of the work behind the scenes, including emails and event requirements, while other volunteers fill the various roles needed each Saturday.
Over the years, participants have accumulated plenty of milestones of their own, with parkrun recognising both participation and volunteering milestones.
The social side does not necessarily finish at the end of the five kilometres either, with participants regularly heading for breakfast after the event.
Moree parkrun is normally held each Saturday morning, starting at 7am from Frome Street opposite Rocket Park, with participants gathering beforehand for the event briefing.
Ironically, however, Moree parkrun will not be on the course during its actual 10th anniversary week.
The anniversary falls on Thursday, September 24, while the Saturday, September 26 parkrun will not be held due to a clash with Run the Plains.
That meant the anniversary celebrations were brought forward to September 19, giving Moree’s runners, walkers and volunteers the chance to mark 10 years since those first 47 participants took to the course.
