parkrun adventurers podcast

It’s our Christmas edition and Mel is joined by Simon, Toc & Sarah to recap their highlights and achievements from 2024, and look forward to what may come in the new year. Crack a bon bon, put your party hat on and enjoy our festive banter as we wrap up another year of the parkrun adventurers.

A surprise co host pops in to talk about the weekend away for Whitemark Wharf parkrun. Simon goes to another Birthday celebration, at Minnippi parkrun. Budgie's plans are changed. Two parkrunners break Australian records in longer events. There's a new first, with ANZ Pioneer achieved. Roving reports from Callum at Wendover Woods, Lyndell at Underwood Park and Em from Whitemark Wharf. Reginald checks in with regards to cancellations. Dazza had some creative Mo's and NZ adds yet another new parkrun.

Join Mel & TOC as they navigate the weekly parkrun news, rightly or wrongly, from across the globe. Sarah takes one small step towards South Beach Recreation Reserve, Alison follows a Southern Path and Tracey choo choo choo’s off to Old Esk Railway Station parkrun. Listen in, B4 it’s old news…

Sarah & Simon are back to recap their Birthday parkruns at South Beach Recreation Reserve and Calamvale. We hear from Lyndell at Meadowbrook, Ruth at Harrogate and Johan at Big Bay. There’s talk of a boomerang doing what they do best and a world of launches. We challenge you to listen.

Mel and Toc are back talking s#*t this week – so you know there is going to be laughs. We have two roving reports from Samford Parklands and another from Ruth Perkins at Meijo Koen parkrun in Nagoya, Japan. Dazza’s has all the elegance of a Melbourne Cup field, there is a plethora of launches to announce, plus Mel has another big idea! You better tune in if you want to hear all about it.

Listen in from Wurundjeri and Quandamooka country this week for tales of p-indexes and visits to Cormorant Bay parkrun. The Ch 5 News Crew were busy bees at Coomera, Bellevue Park juniors, Esperance Foreshore and Baysgarth Park parkruns and the Birthday Boy is late to the party with his November wrap up.

Simon and Sarah share their recent parkrun experiences, including Sarah's 70th run at Cottesloe and Simon's fun at Fodder Forest's 3rd birthday. They discuss upcoming events like Panorama Punish and celebrate adventurers who completed Chicago marathon, and hear from Lyndell at Sirromet parkrun. Join the community for more adventures, and don’t forget to share your stories! What is the next Challenge?

Mel and Toc bring you the 400th episode. A milestone of sorts. But there’s no party this time, just tales from familiar places and days spent with friends. Those who were celebrating were Ali Sheppard at Rosensteinpark parkrun , Germany, Tracy at Lawson, PK at Mount Barker and TOC at O’Connors Beach. Listen in to hear where our 700 Adventurers Club members were, what events launched, who had the biggest Frond and what Reginald Yardley Pomphrey III has for us in Club Corner.

This week Mel and Simon are back together to talk a lot about Germany. Mel was back at Pucka, Simon returned to Redland Bay and Budgie checked in. There’s a new member of the team, filling in a gap left by someone who thinks they’re funny. Roving reports from Epworth Equestrian, Point Hut Pond & Otago Central Rail Trail, Alexandra and a challenge to boot.

Olly returns for a bumper pod of mayhem and laughter, as Mel tries to keep him on script. We hear of Mels travels to Pirrama and Mount Annan parkruns as we farewell Streaky September. There are roving reports from Sonsbeek in The Netherlands, Sarah in Invercargill and the Warwicks catch up with Ryan as he farwells Tasmania. Happy International parkrun day!!

Simon and Sarah are reunited to discuss their latest adventures to Samford Parklands and Dolls Point parkruns. There are roving reports from Alison visiting Orakei Bay, Lyndell at Riemer and Janet at Yeldulknie Weir Trail. Lithuania is welcomed to the parkrun family, updates to the Bingoe card are discussed & Pippa has more insight into Streaky Septmeber. The Birthday Boy shares all things to celebrate in October and Mel still has all the power with the edit

Do you want to know where palm 25 will be? Listen in this week because we have an announcement… We also have Mel and TOC bringing you another episode with news of Budgie, Inverloch parkrun’s birthday celebrations and Mel’s return to Nhill in regional Victoria. There are roving reports from Warner Lakes, Newbiggin-by-the-Sea and Hanmer Forest parkruns, Rachel’s volunteering wrap, Streaky news and Ugly anticipation.

Mel & Toc return with a bumper pod filled with revisits and backflips! There’s a 1000th event, 10,000,000th barcode, 5k app adjustments and TOC shares news of his trip to Victory Heights to escape the wind. We have roving reports from Sewerby parkrun and Dolls Point, and Janet is back catching up with Wildflower ED Andrea Doney aka The Slow Coach. But that’s not all! We have a swather of launches, Bingoe card discussion, plus hints from the elves about this years Ugly Christmas singlets.

Mel & Toc are back with stories from Cyril Curtin & Point Cook parkruns. Plus, we have two Alison’s reporting in from Morrinsville Recreation Ground and Pirrama parkrun. The Birthday Boy brings us September anniversaries, Pip drops news of Streaky Septmeber and Mel is en pointe with a Polish parkrun launch. Don’t believe us? Listen in!

This week Sarah from the Westside joined Simon at the remote stand up desks. There were adventures talked about at South Beach Recreation Reserve and Capestone Lake. They talked about the 5K app, Budgie smuggler, Dazzas, emails and Rachel checks in (someone pleeease give her more content!!). Tracey and Johan logged Roving Reports from Mitchelton and Hilton parkruns, plus news of a Norwegian launch.

The Olympics are over but that hasn’t meant the end of the excitement. Mel and TOC marvel at Carolyn’s effort at The Clint Eastwood Backyard Ultra, while Mel finally ventured to The Ponds for some City2Surf fronding. TOC enjoyed inland adventures at McLeans Beach, Janet brought us a Singapore double at Bishan & East Coast Park Parkrun, and Calum celebrated at Lancaster with the ‘TV’. Also, all the bolts in Dazza’s, Club Corner, Streaky Septmeber discussion and a little announcement on PALM.

Simon and Mel were back at the standup desks to discuss the Olympics, Singapore's extra day and where they popped up on parkrunday (Lota & Peppertree). There were two UK roving reports, with Ruth reporting in from Rotherham parkrun and Ali at Thames Path Woolwich parkrun. Mail was received about Matilda, two launches discussed, talk of (legal) budgie smuggling and Rachel gave us some more regional challenges. Do you feel lucky punk?

Olly is back – for a Blue Moon episode and guess where he has been…? Nevermind! Mel adventured to …. We had Ingrid reporting in from Jubilee parkrun, Tenterfield and Alison from Moana Point Reserve parkrun NZ. At least there was UK mail, Olympic talk and Rachel brought us some discussion on regional challenges.

What IS a Melidex? What are Budgie Smugglers? An Obilope? Dazzas? A frond? You won’t get ALL the answers this episode, but you WILL hear about Mel's adventure to Balclutha parkrun. You WILL hear the Birthday Boys August offering. And you WILL learn about the latest batch of launches. For the rest, you might just have to listen to the back catalogue… Join TOC & Mel. You’re welcome 😊

This week Simon was joined by Sarah at both of their remote stand up desks. There were adventures talked about from Broadbeach Waters and Jakes Point. They talked about their favourite parkruns (but one of them can’t count ), bucket hats (will you purchase one?) and a challenge (but not as you know it). There was a return to Dazzas, emails and Rachel checked in. There were launches and indecision about where they will be this week.

Toc and Mel wear their hearts on their sleeves this week, touching on some important topics. To lighten the tone we also have roving reports from Lyndell at Logan River, Alison at Queens Park, Belfast, and a new voice from the UK Ruth – bringing us a report from Gunpowder parkrun. Dazza has the week off but there is more discussion about bridges and plans are forming for the Adventurer baton. Tune in…

This week the Adventurer community is sad to bid farewell to Michael ‘Schultzy’ Schultz. A special Adventurer from Kedron parkrun. We also pay tribute to Graeme from Umbagong parkrun and Simon brings us his adventures from Redcliffe. There are roving reports from Rendlesham Forest, West Coast Park, Petrie and Jubliee, plus Mel has an idea for a new challenge!

Who joins Mel on Level Two this week? Who ran round and round in circles for a very long time? Who enjoyed recent celebrations? Who did a nudie swim? Who interviewed Rory Marriot at Rendlesham Forest? Who’s looking forward to Streaky September? Whose name is in the Obilope? Listen in for all the answers!

Guess who’s back, back again, Simon’s back, tell a friend… It’s Smackley week and he’s been at Greenbank parkrun while Mel ducked down south to Risdon Brook. We hear from Janet with a interview with Regional Ambassador Kate Corner and Alison brings news from recent launch event Y Promenade. Over at Dazzas the community was buzzing and Rachel brought food and zoo clubs.

It’s a fast one this week as TOC joins Mel to discuss all things Speedweek at Sandgate parkrun. We discuss parkrun’s global expansion plans, and, speaking of fast, Liam Adams gets a call up to Paris. Dazza hears from a lot of people, PK visits Nuriootpa, Lyndell is on the South Bank and Johan checks in from Emerald Resort. Rachel logs in, and the UK reigns supreme again.

Mel is back at the desk, talking to Simon about Cronulla parkrun and his trip to Wishart. There was talk of speed week at Sandgate and BERT & ERNIE. Roving reports came in from Jeune Park, Whyalla Foreshore, Clarence and Pokkinen. There were a plethora of launches across the world and Longest Run is upon us again. Will you rise to the challenge?

Sarah joins Simon on Level 2 with a view to go over her trip to Ridley Place Foreshore and his return to Sirromet. They spoke double Dutch on Whit Monday, were Franc about their feelings about French parkruns and caught up on Tim Franklin’s whereabouts. There was also some late mail received all the way from the Netherlands and they checked in on Dazza. There were launches, The Birthday Boy and roving reports from Lyndell at Glasshouse Mountains Conservation parkrun, Alison at Tokoinranta, David at Ridley Place Foreshore and Mel dropped in from Armidale.

Nordic special days and a swather of launches had Mel’s tongue in a twist but not before she surprised Peppertree parkrun with a visit. TOC, meanwhile, returned to what he loves best, supporting Nagambie Lake in country Victoria. Lyndell was interviewing Mandalorians at Cleveland parkrun, and Calum sang us a Mersey tune from Burnage. We also have all the usuals with an extra helping of Rachel.

Tatooine in and hear Mel and Simon recap Bells Parade and Kedron, as well as the galaxy of launches and roving reports from across the universe (Victoria juniors in Glasgow, Walvis Bay in Namibia and Warwick in Qld). Then Rachel brings us some clubs from around the cantina. It’s a longer one this time, for an adventure far, far away.

It’s a blue moon pod – which means Olly is back to join Mel at Level 2 and bring us up to date on Disney princesses, Welsh launches and sailing. If that isn’t exciting enough – TOC slips in the back door to chat to Run the World creator, Travis Ireland, giving insight into how the innovative platform was created and his journey to find love for parkrun. Rachel dips her toes in the water, Dazza goes bat crazy, and Tassie seems to be the place to be. Tune in…

Back to regular programming at Level Two with a View with Mel upping her p-index at Wilson Botanic parkrun while TOC was offering auroras with the sunshine over at the Stump. We chat about the new ED/EA volunteer credits, discuss the Voronoi map, cover May celebrations with the birthday boy, catch up on a swather of launches plus… Johan reports from Piggly Wiggly, Lyndell splits herself between Oakey and Capestone Lake and Marvellous Mark shuns Bushy for Gunnersbury parkrun. Tune in to find out why!

It’s PALM24 week, where Mel, Olly, TOC and Simon are joined by a crowd of listeners for a live recording of the pod. After a recap of the morning, Olly chatted with Eman, our on-the-ground PALM organiser, South Toowoomba RD and all-round-good-guy, while Mel interviewed Robbie Hawkswell, founding co-event director and video content creator extraordinaire. Simon was back at the helm of the annual quiz and TOC made a surprise announcement. And even though none of us saw her, somehow Rachel got hold of the mic…

Join Mel underground at Coober Pedy and TOC on the tree stump as we celebrate Nicki Clark in a yellow 1000 volunteer shirt, Shultzy stars on the radio and there are April Fools Day pranks. Lyndall joins us from Harris Avenue, Sarah visits Centennial Park, Tracey goes north to Mackay and the Local Weather Expert explains spinny-roundy things to us. Bec checks in from the remote Cobar parkrun and we chat through all things PALM24 and Longest Run. Our Obi this week is a bloke who walks on water!

This week, Mel was auditioning for the Tourism Tasmania Ambassador role in Launceston. Simon was very Scribbly. Tracey talked to Rory and Hilary at Des Connor juniors and PK was going all Radelaidean at South Parra Reservoir. Rachel Parked, Reserved and Oval'd. We celebrated John Day becoming the oldest person to reach 500 parkruns and the Obi went to ... (you'll just have to listen).

Q. What do you get when you cross a rodeo with a hot air balloon spectacular? A. Mel’s amazing tourism adventure! This week Mel visited Braidwood showground parkrun, which incidentally wasn’t the location for either. And TOC is backing it up and keeping the recording south of the Murray. If that’s not confusing enough, Tracey is at Underwood Park parkrun for no particular reason at all. Hopefully Rachel has her spreadsheet together!

What do you get when you have two hosts recording in the Greatest State? A. Geographical confusion! Oh wait. That’s just Mel. TOC seems to know his compass points, even if he can’t judge his travel times. Moving on … Mel returned to Cyril Curtain Reserve parkrun with the Melbourne Crew, while TOC was a week early at Ipswich parkrun. And Rachel inspires some memories of dress up days from the past.

With both our hosts returning a tad late from their adventures of the weekend, there's lots to catch up on. From the ups and downs around our adventurer community, to the very long, long runs and walks down under and across the ditch, people have been busy! Hear about Mel's triple treat of Stebonheath, Thorndon Juniors and Adelaide Airport, Olly's Batemans Bay return, plus roving reports from Tracey at Broadbeach Waters and Alison at Gordon Spratt Reserve. After that we'll need another coffee, thanks Dazza!

It’s Simon’s week in the co-host seat and apparently the weather up in Kingsland isn’t as great as they’d have us believe. Never mind. Mel had a lovely warm run at Ball Park parkrun while Simon splashed it out at Chermside. We bring you some thoughts about Codes of Conduct and perceived barriers to participation, plus muse over the Adventurer growth in the UK. And we award an Obi to someone who didn’t even visit Dazzas! Because we can …

Join us this week as we bring some big discussions with a rollercoaster pod episode. While Olly and Mel give their views on the stats controversy, they also recount their adventure to North Wollongong parkrun. But not before Olly brings news of his own. Lyndell the Legendary lifts the mood with a report from Ipswich, Queensland parkrun, Rachel remembers pods of bygone eras, and we end on a lighter note with celebrations of all descriptions. p.s. yes, he did check the envelope!

Join Mel & TOC as they taste test lots of icecream. TOC goes to Jindy, Mel goes AWOL and parkrun Australia blow the lid on another Attendance Record. PK visits Kangaroo Island, Lyndall visits Newy and Sarah catches up with Tim Franklin. Oh, and all the PALM events get announced.

One million Aussie parkrunners and no roving reports? Don't worry, Mel and Olly have you covered! It's been a big week in Aussie parkrun circles, so it's time for some reflection, emails, Dazzas, Birthday Boy and... ooohhh, a palm24 update!

This week, Mel is joined by a holidaying Olly as we hear a euphony of parkrun celebrations and record numbers, plus some misadventures, the odd kookaburra, and a cacophony of camp-site neighbours. We continue to catch up on the summer season's roving reports, as we hear from Johan at Voortrekker Monument, Pretoria, PK at Belair and Alistair who did some guerilla tourism at St Peters. And amongst all the chatter, Rachel, Dazza and some love for the one and only Colin Thorne.

Mel and Simon are back for 2024 with news of their holiday adventures from Copper Trail parkrun, Thorndon juniors, Port Broughton, Nuriootpa, Main Beach, New Farm, White Rock, Kelvin Grove and Fodder Forest. The Channel 5 news crew are back with reports from West Beach, Bellevue juniors and Paradise Point. Plus Rachel trials a new format and the Birthday Boy brings reminders. There’s more – but you’ll just need to tune in to find out.

This week the swivel chair on Level 2 gets a workout as the uglies all combine to bask in the glory of Ugly Christmas Singlet or Shirt Day! As your hosts recap their parkrundays just gone and prepare for parkrun and podcast holiday season, we crack out the bon-bons, hear from the Office Lady and a most melodic Rachel, and we fill the podcast time capsule with 2023 memories, plus predictions for the parkrun year to come. Happy and safe parkrunning everyone, we'll see you all next year for more adventures!

As Dazzas celebrates volunteer day and the wonderful contributions across our adventurer community, we hear about Mel's trip to the West-East-side at Campbelltown parkrun and Olly finally shows up to share his visit to Tassie, Collingwood and, well, Shellharbour #inourbudgies

TOC’s back this week, after enjoying the west side at Cyril Curtain Reserve. And while some parts of the world experienced weather-related cancellations, Melissa headed to a revamped Sunbury parkrun for a little rainy frond. It’s a shorter pod this week, featuring some cameos from our favourite South Africans lending a hand to your grateful hosts.

TOC joins Melissa on level two this week in his budgies! While Melissa recaps a crazy WA adventure at Newcastle Park in WA , TOC was enjoying the sunshine at home at Inverloch. We have Thanksgiving parkruns, re-launches, palm updates and corrections. There’s an Obi, the Birthday Boy, the CCR and more.

Melissa & Simon battle the technology this week to bring you this episode featuring Karkarook and Redland Bay parkruns. TOC drops in from Goulburn River Trail and Lyndell chases a frond at, well, Redland Bay. And we have more Collingwood refences for your listening pleasure. Thanks Rachel 😊

This week, while Olly laments a missed parkrunday, Melissa gets busy on her p-index. Rachel returns with Alphabet homework and there are similar ‘messengers’ in the emails. Meanwhile, Alison is on the ground enjoying the launch at Northern Pathway, New Zealand.

The pod has a distinct Victorian feel this week as TOC joins Melissa on level 2 with a view. This week’s view is of Goulburn River Trail parkrun and Victor Harbor parkrun. One was windy and one required the Aeroguard. There’s parkrun news and tips, Dazza’s, the regular consolidated club stats plus a rundown of the latest launches around the globe.