WISHART PARKRUN REVIEW

GETTING THERE

Wishart Parkrun is probably the closest event to where I live so I was surprised to see that I have only run this twice. It is really not that difficult to find. If you take Greenwood Street off Mount Gravatt Capalaba Road, you are there in minutes. It is also just a few kilometers from the Gateway motorway.  

PARKING

Parking is a bit tight close to the start. There is street parking in the suburb and if you don't mind a bit of a walk before the run, it is fine. On both occasions that I have run this event, I have parked at the end of Boyanda Street where you can find a couple of public parking bays which are usually empty. 

TOILETS

The nearest toilet block is 500m from the northern turnaround point and if you go by car, you have to drive all the way up to the main arteriole and enter Boyanda Street to access this facility. So if you have young children, make sure they go to the loo prior to arriving at the run. The toilet block is also very old and not that clean. (Think 1970's breeze block walls, government green paint and eucalyptus leaves) There is also a good chance you might encounter some of Australia's wildlife in a close and personal way. Haha. 

THE COURSE

This course starts at the playground off Maibry Street and it is a bit squished in the beginning. We run north along the Bulimia Creek bicycle path which is nice and wide to a turnaround point which is about 800m away. You then return past the start and run south along the creek. At one point you cross a bridge and there is a bit of a tight turn but it is nothing to really worry about. The path is paved all the way and is wide enough to handle oncoming runners which is a result of the two turnaround points. 

The bikeway is a popular stretch for cyclists and local walkers but on both occasions that I have run this event, I didn't notice anyone else along the course. There is a playground at the start as well as a drinking fountain and a couple of park benches but it is a bit rustic. 

The course itself is fairly flat with a couple of slight inclines and gradual turns. It runs along the creek so it is well treed and fairly cool as a result. There are water bubblers along the route if needed. 

VOLUNTEERS

On both occasions that I have run this event, I have seen lovely community spirit. The Run Directors make a special deal about the volunteers and there are a number of businesses that advertise on the Facebook page. It ran like clockwork. I have a friend from work who is a regular at this event and he and his wife volunteer often and they both speak very highly of their Wishart community Parkrun. 

PHOTOS

If you go onto the Facebook page for Wishart Parkrun, there is a photographic record of every run which is sequentially posted and well organized. It is a pleasure going onto the page. The page also has regular updates and encouragements. 

Click here for the Facebook page

THE ALL IMPORTANT COFFEE AFTERWARDS

Okay so this is where I think Wishart Parkrun falls down. There aren't really any coffee shops close by and on both occasions that I went to this event, there was no coffee van. It attracts quite a small turnout which is surprising considering that it is in a nice suburb along a fairly scenic route. I know of a few coffee shops on the corner of Newnham and Wishart Roads as well as Garden City Shopping Centre but they are too far away and not that aesthetically appealing. 

OVERALL 

Maybe I am a little over running in my own backyard or the toilet facility is a bit off-putting. Maybe it is the lack of coffee shops close by. Whatever it is, I am so sorry but the Gary rating for this event is a mere 7/10. (Even though I am the poster boy for the Wishart Parkrun on the official Parkrun site. lol)