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    COMMITTED: Rachel Hateley, right, will participate in her 100th Wimmera River parkrun, as the event marks the milestone on Saturday. She is pictured with family members Sarah and Trevor, who are also heavily involved in the event. Picture: PAUL CARRACHER

Rachel hooked on weekly parkrun

Horsham teacher Rachel Hateley has one proviso when making plans to go away for a weekend – as long as she can leave after parkrun.

Miss Hateley, 25, has completed all 99 Wimmera River parkruns to date and will chalk up her 100th event milestone on Saturday.   

She said she quickly became hooked on the five-kilometre event, which offers a variety of physical and mental wellbeing benefits.

“My mum was one of the people who helped get it up and running,” she said.



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“I went along to the trial and to the launch event and I’ve been going along ever since. 

“Once I got to 50 I thought, I wonder if I could do 100. And here we are.”

Miss Hateley said she enjoyed the friendly, supportive environment.

“No one ever comes last because there is a designated tail-walker,” she said.

“It’s not a competition – you can go at your own pace. It caters for everyone. 

“I love participating, either as a runner or volunteer. Plus, once I start something, I’m committed to it. 

“If my family and I go away somewhere on the weekend, it always has to be after parkrun.”

Miss Hateley said she planned to continue running the Horsham course for years to come.

“It’s always nice to catch up with people,” she said.

“It’s quite social and you can have a chat with other participants and volunteers. I teach at Horsham West and I have seen some students from different year levels. They always give me a little cheer when I run past or cross the finish line, which is nice.”

Ms Hateley said she had no plans to try out parkruns in other locations.

“If I went somewhere on holidays and there was a parkrun, I’d do it,” she said. 

“But I love the Wimmera River one and I just want to keep doing that and keep trying to beat my personal best.”

Miss Hateley encouraged people to attend parkrun on a Saturday at 8am. 

People can visit parkrun.com.au for more information. 

– Sarah Matthews

RELATED: Long road to 100th Horsham parkrun

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