Wynnum Parkrun Review

Getting There

Wynnum Parkrun starts on the Wynnum foreshore next to the wading pool and Wynnum Jetty. This is my home run and I must admit, one of my favorite places to run. The directions on the Wynnum Parkrun page are pretty clear and there is usually a large gathering which is difficult to miss. 

Parking

Parking is sometimes a bit difficult to find and I usually end up parking on one of the side streets, quite a way from the start. This is however an excellent opportunity for a bit of a warmup. 

Toilets

There is a toilet block near the wading pool and they are cleaned daily. There is also a disabled toilet and an external shower. The toilets are always clean and are fairly close to the start of the run which is awesome. 

The Course

This course runs on the pedestrian and cycle track along the Wynnum Esplanade and starts by running south, turning around outside Coopers Cafe and returning to the start. This covers a distance of 3.2km's. You then run north and turn around at Breakwater Park before returning to the finish/start. This course is absolutely flat and one gets a beautiful view of Moreton Bay and high tide every second week. The path is paved the whole way but in some places it is a bit narrow. Wynnum Esplanade is a popular place for the community to get out and enjoy the outdoors and as a result, it is often quite busy on a Saturday morning. There are pelotons of cyclists rushing up and down the road and a number of personal trainers coaching their clients along the route which is very encouraging.  

On a number of occasions, the Race Directors have asked the runners to be mindful of the public after a number of complaints from members of the public who have been bumped into along the way. We regularly get over 300 people on a Saturday morning and at times, it can be quite squashed in the middle of the pack. There have been times when a professional personal trainer has engaged the entire gathering in a warmup routine which is really cool. There are usually a whole range of participants including kids, parents with prams, dogs on leashes and of course all levels of fitness.

The Run Directors have changed over the years but one does feel a fairly reasonable sense of community although with it being a large group, it must be difficult to engender. 

The course itself is stunning; even more so at high tide. I personally don't really like running past the start/finish to do the last 1.8km's, but it is really unavoidable if they are to keep the ablution blocks close to the start. The path is very busy and there is one point where it gets really narrow and has caused a bit of discomfort for fast overtakers and members of the public, but it is well maintained and FLAT so it encourages great PB's.

Volunteers

Wynnum's volunteers are very generous with their time and it is sometimes a bit difficult to get a spot on the roster for the following week. I haven't volunteered much to my shame, but I will look at fixing that soon. 

Photos

Wynnum Parkrun has a Facebook page and there were lots of photos posted the same day. This has obviously adds to the community spirit of the event.

Click here for the Facebook page

The all important coffee afterwards

Well Wynnum has no lack of coffee shops and there is often if not always a coffee van outside the start. The Run Directors make a point of saving a parking spot for the van operators. We usually drive down to Manly and have coffee at Coopers. I personally love this time of connecting with my mates and makes for a great start to the weekend. 

Overall 

This course is so flat and fast. The views are fantastic, facilities are plentiful and clean. This event is a must! The Gary rating for this event is 9.25/10.