Group to hit park for fun

With only two major running events on the Karratha sports calendar each year, a new group is about to start holding regular community fun runs to give people more opportunities to hit the pavement.

Having formed in July in the lead-up to this year’s Karratha City to Surf, the Pilbara Running Group has set its members their next challenge in the form of its first 5km fun run around Cattrall Park.

On Sunday, October 22, runners will do two 2.5km laps around the park, into suburban Peg’s Creek and back, and receive a time upon finishing.

It is hoped the fun runs will become regular in Karratha, taking place about every six weeks.

Pilbara Running Group coach Katrina Le Plastrier, a former professional runner and triathlete, said the aim was to keep members’ motivation high between the big running events in Karratha.

“We hold a free community training session each week, but then we thought we need something for runners to train for and that’s how we came up with the idea of the fun run,” she said.

“Everyone involved in the club is looking forward to seeing where they’re at with their running, having a race and getting a time on the board to improve upon.”

Pilbara Running Group was formed through an Activ Foundation grant to train people for the City to Surf, but its coaches have continued the format since then.

Le Plastrier said the club had proved popular with about 40 people attending training sessions each week, showing there was demand for more running events in Karratha.

“There are only two fun runs on each year, the City to Surf and the Mother’s Day Classic, so if you are a runner or interested in that style of fitness you only have two opportunities for something to train for,” she said.

“There is a huge market for more.”

The 5km fun run will be held on October 22 at 7.30am at Cattrall Park and is open to anyone in the community.

The Pilbara Running Group trains each Wednesday at 5pm on the Leisureplex Oval and people of all abilities are welcome.