Precinct 18 parkrun in Putrajaya welcomes everyone, running or walking, to enjoy the lakeside fresh air.
SATURDAY mornings are for taking on five kilometres – running, jogging, walking, pushing a stroller or even propelling oneself in a wheelchair.
Routes have been measured, times are recorded and best of all, with just one registration (and barcode ID), you can run for free at more than 2,500 locations around the world as part of the community called parkrun.
In Putrajaya, the lakeside scene is cool and refreshing as Precinct 18 parkrun kicks off at 7.30am.
It is a mix of those chasing personal best (PB) times, runners in training, the slow-and-steadies, the casuals, families and walkers.
Everyone is welcome to participate at their own pace.
“You don’t need to fear being last, that’s the job of tailwalkers and the beauty of parkrun,” said parkrun Malaysia president Dr Aizat Mohd Taib.
“We have an average of 100 participants, and we have families, people with strollers, a participant in a wheelchair and even a visually impaired runner,” he said.
Each person runs for their own purpose, be it fitness, community or well-being.
Aizat (second from left) with part of his merry band of parkrun volunteers – (from left) race director Muhammad Shukri Zulkepli, Nur Fairuz Basri, Aainaa Khalis and Hurratun Khalis.
The first to finish that Saturday was Adi Azam, 14, who uses Putrajaya parkrun as part of his training – the unchanging route and timed event useful for monitoring his progress.
“I want to represent Malaysia in track one day,” said the student who has participated in meets under the Malaysian School Sports Council (MSSM) umbrella.
Adi’s 5km PB is 18 minutes 31 seconds, and he knows he needs to be faster.
His father Azam Azman, 41, said the nation’s fast young runners were recording 5km under 15:00, and this is where Adi needs to be.
The youngster, who started running at age 10, agreed, adding that he likes going to the parkrun to train with friends or to pit himself against speedier individuals.
“My fastest 5km time is here at the parkrun, because there was a faster runner I used as a pacer,” he said.
Azam said there was a long way towards achieving Adi’s dream of wearing the national colours in middle-distance running.
In the meantime, he accompanies his son to parkruns and gets in some exercise along the way.
For Nur Alyssa Coraline Yussin, 49, parkrun has become a family activity, with the consistency of the weekly event helping with the development of her 19-year-old twins who have autism.
Adi (left) uses parkrun as part of his run training, with the aim of representing Malaysia, while his father Azam runs to keep fit.
The boys, Ryan Asyraff and Ryan Aimar Raswanizam, have blossomed thanks to the parkrun community, she said.
“Ryan Ashraff has mild autism, so once he is familiar with the course, he can run on his own,” she said.
This has boosted his confidence so much that he could even join other cross-country events, she added.
“Ryan Aimar is hyperactive and the morning run allows him to let off steam,” said Nur Alyssa, who finished the parkrun in close proximity to Ryan Aimar and daughter Rose Asyiefa, seven, while her husband Raswanizam Mat Rashid, 49, and Ryan Ashraff came in a few minutes ahead.
“The organising committee and volunteers also make them feel welcome,” she said.
Nur Alyssa said that even though the twins were non-verbal, they had become a bit more confident when dealing with crowds as they got familiar with the volunteers.
“The twins want to be treated as normal. Through these events, I have come to know the parkrun family and they know the kids well, so I feel safe bringing them along.
“The volunteers are always very encouraging and very positive. I definitely think there has been positive impact,” she added.
Runners at Albert parkrun in Melbourne, Australia, with the course winding around the lake.
Runs and recreation
In Adelaide, Australia, community and connections are also part of why the parkrun there has become a regular meet-up for the Indonesian student fraternity under a group called Adelaindo Running Club.
The runners find the weekly run – with three right in the heart of the city, plus beachside and forest trail options – a wonderful way to keep the community close-knit.
Siti Aisyah Damiati, 34, said the consistency of parkruns meant it was easy to commit to meeting up.
“There will be a parkrun each Saturday, and if one is cancelled, we will go to another one.”
And beyond the morning run, the community also enjoys getting together for special events.
“During the recent Hari Raya celebration, we had a barbecue at the park with the larger Indonesian community here,” Siti Aisyah said at Adelaide’s Torrens parkrun, where this writer visited as a parkrun tourist. (See sidebar.)
There is also a friendly vibe at parkruns that sparks conversations, even mid-run (part of this interview was during our riverside meander).
Afterwards, there is coffee, with the group convening at a cafe near the apartment Siti Aisyah shares with husband Ahmad Syahid, 37.
The post-run breakfast stop is just as steady a part of parkrun as the commitment to have an event each Saturday.
Aizat said the consistency of a weekly event, with a friendly group and no judgement about pace, could foster physical and mental well-being.
(From right) Siti Aisyah and Ahmad, with running group members (from left) Jusuf Ariz Wahyuono, Darius Budi, Gamma Rizaldy and Devita Olyviana Putri at Torrens parkrun. The club uses parkruns to keep their community close-knit. — Courtesy photo
Consistently great
On the organisational side, Aizat said they have had to adjust holidays and other activities to ensure the parkrun in Putrajaya’s Precinct 18 happened week-on-week.
As parkruns are organised and manned purely by volunteers – in positions including run director, timekeepers and marshals – a dedicated core group was necessary, he said.
“Some of them don’t even live nearby, yet they take the effort to help,” he said, referring to volunteers who drive down from as far away as Ijok, Selangor.
“We take turns to go on holiday or balik kampung, and we have only had a few cancellations in the past seven years.”
Aizat, who got into parkruns while studying in the UK, said he was excited to find an event in Kuala Lumpur, in Taman Pudu Ulu, which started in 2018.
Another one planned for Danau Desa got curtailed by the Covid-19 pandemic, while the Taman Pudu Ulu event has since been cancelled.
Aizat brought parkrun to Putrajaya to cater to runners in the area.
(From left) Nur Alyssa, Ryan Asyraff, Ryan Aimar, Raswanizam and seven-year-old Rose Asyiefa at Precinct 18 parkrun. Nur Alyssa says the Precinct 18 parkrun has become a family activity.
He said the lakeside Precinct 18 site, with nearby restrooms, water fountain and plentiful parking, was perfect for a Saturday morning mood booster.
“We start at 7.30am. You can be done by around 9am and have the rest of the day for activities.
“It’s a great way to kick-start your weekend.”
Urging everyone to see what parkrun is all about, Aizat said: “Visit our Facebook page @presint18parkrunputrajaya, drop by Putrajaya and join in, enjoy the fresh air.”
And what would he like to see in parkrun Malaysia’s future?
“A parkrun in every state, so that we can balik kampung and still go running!”
