By LIA SPENCER
IN A bid to get people outside and active, a Pakenham woman has started a healthy initiative which will launch on Saturday 20 September.
Michelle Caile, 37, was motivated to start a Park Run in Pakenham after joining the Berwick Springs Park Run committee last year. Park Run is an international fitness movement run by volunteers where participants are timed so they can try to improve each week.
Ms Caile said it wasn’t a competition but more like people racing against themselves.
The Park Run will begin at the shelter in Rotary Park in Toomuc Creek and will follow a five-kilometre course along the creek.
“The Berwick Springs Park Run was so successful I thought that, since I live in Pakenham, I should start one here,” Ms Caile said.
“I am not always active, I don’t look like a runner, but I love the community spirit.
“I hate getting up early but once I am there I am so happy.
“I have met a lot of people and watching other people reach their goals has motivated me.”
Ms Caile said it was a great initiative for people of all ages and capabilities.
She said participants could run or walk the track and if they weren’t very fit she encouraged them to get permission from the doctor before attempting the track.
Cardinia Shire has thrown its support behind the initiative, recently awarded a $2000 grant to support the weekly five-kilometre walk/run.
Cardinia Shire Mayor Graeme Moore said these grants showed the council’s support for new groups or programs.
“The grants program is a fantastic way for community minded residents to fill a gap in the community – it can be anything from a club or organisation to a regular event like the Pakenham Park Run,” he said.
“I support any initiative which encourages our residents to get active in the fresh air and the Pakenham Park Run is a great example of this.
“I congratulate the volunteers who worked hard to bring this event to the shire.”
Ms Caile said participants are encouraged to arrive early and should bring their own water bottle.
The run will start at 8am every Saturday after it’s launched.
She said prams and dogs on leads were allowed on the walking track and children under 11 years of age must be accompanied by an adult.
For more information about the council’s grants program, visit its Minor Community Support Grants webpage or contact the Community Strengthening team on 1300 787 624.
The council’s grants program supports ideas to fill an unmet residents’ need to improve health and wellbeing, social connectedness or support volunteerism.
The grants are available to establish a new initiative, program, organisation or group.
Grants of up to $2000 are on offer, with just over $30,000 in total funding allocated each year.
Applications are open for the 2014-15 grants round until the funding is disbursed.
