CHERMSIDE PARKRUN REVEIW

GETTING THERE

Getting to Chermside for me is a bit of a jaunt. I live on the Southside of Brisbane so the Northside always feels to me like travelling in another country, even though when we landed in Brisbane many years ago, we originally settled in Albany Creek.  The start is easy to find because Gympie Road is such a main thoroughfare into the city. 

PARKING

If you are early enough, you could possible snatch one of the 50 available parking spaces but otherwise you have to scramble for a space on the verge on Murphy Road. I managed to time my arrival to perfection; 6:59am to be exact, so I made a hasty dash to the start and joined up with the tail-enders and the sweeper.

TOILETS

I had no opportunity or need to use the toilet facilities that day but I do know from past experience that there are a few unisex toilets close to the start as well as a fantastic children’s playground and water bubblers. The toilets are clean even if they are a little bit rustic. with that being said, they are certainly sufficient. 

THE COURSE

This course is an out and back which for me certainly encourages good times. I love reaching the half waypoint knowing that it is now time to surge on the way home. (Remembering that I am an old fellow so my surge may mean something different to someone else.)  I also enjoy ticking off key points along the route and do a bit of self-talk in preparation for a good finish.

The path is paved the whole way and there is ample space for passing other runners. Because I started at the back, I had to weave through the pack and there was lots of space to pass. Of course there were a number of runners running with earphones, which caused them to be unaware of others around them. As a result, these runners tend to run in the middle of the path, making it difficult for others to pass, but these are the cards we are dealt so I just handle and run on. I noticed quite a few people running with dogs and with kids in strollers and there were a couple of elite runners who led the way.

Whilst the picnic spot is popular with the public, I should imagine the pathways are more functional than they are aesthetic. With that being said, I didn’t see anyone else on the path which is really good for the organizers and runners because it lowers the possibility of public complaints due to bumping which is seen in more populated events. I imagine that cyclists would also use the pathway but there were none there that day.

The course itself is super flat and fast. It is conducive to fast times and the local area has a lot of young families which means it encourages fast runners and great times. There were just under 200 runners on the day I ran which I thought was a bit small, considering the slightly more dense population. That being said, the view whilst running was quite boring and in reality, we could have been anywhere in SE Queensland. It was quite unremarkable as events go. 

VOLUNTEERS

It is easier to manage an out and back course when it comes to volunteers as there are only a couple of spaces required on the course. Because I missed the start of the race, I am really unable to comment to the atmosphere and order of events, but I knew where to go whilst running and when I finished, there were lovely, friendly people who scanned my barcode and there were people sitting around after the race connecting and chatting.

PHOTOS

The Facebook site is well organized and it was easy to find my picture in amongst the others taken that day. What I did like was that the photographer had posted that if anyone didn’t want their picture up, he was more than willing to remove them.

I sometimes wonder about privacy issues when it comes to the pictures that are posted and feel for people who have to keep a low profile due to all sorts of personal reasons. I’m not sure how this can be solved but I just mention it.

Click here for the Facebook page

THE ALL IMPORTANT COFFEE AFTERWARDS

On the day I ran, there wasn’t a coffee van on site, but Chermisde Shopping Centre is within walking distance from the start where there are many really nice venues on offer.

OVERALL 

So Chermside, I have to say, the course is not that pretty but certainly functional and flat which encourages fast times. The out and back is also a positive. The access to Chermside shopping Centre is good. So the Gary rating for this event is a 7/10.