A Running on Real Food Event Review
The inaugural Perth Running Festival was held on Sunday 7th October 2018.
As a weekend warrior, I loved this event.
The 14 km course was fantastic. Starting at the Optus stadium, aka ‘The Birds Nest’, was easily accessible via public transport and the start line was well organised as we assembled in our assigned cattle grids.
The start was seamless with each wave flowing one after the other tracing around the outside of the stadium and along the Arbour walkway, under it’s spectacular artistic canopy. The brand new Metagardup Foot Bridge carried us over the Swan River into East Perth. It was such a lovely start to the event.
The course then skirted around of edge of East Perth to Riverside Drive. At this point I feel I need to talk about the weather. The conditions where great. Cool with a breeze, but along this area of the course offered little shade and the city scape blocked the breeze. Here, I started to re-evaluate my wardrobe choices. The idea of baring my winter white legs in summer running shorts became more appealing over my chosen ¾ lycra pants. I was feeling hot! As we moved through Elizabeth Quays we where welcomed by the breeze, whipping around the buildings, providing us with enough relief to ease the initial discomfort.
The cool breeze continued as we crossed the Narrows bridge to south side of the river heading back towards the start.
One thing I love about running is being out in nature. This event ticked that box for me. I never felt like I was running in a capital city. Along Riverside Drive we had the river on one side and Langley Park on the other, here we were serenaded by the local birds enjoying a beautiful day. On the south side, we weaved along the garden path hugging the river to be cheered on by spectators and witnessing the joy of family gatherings taking place in the river parklands.
I have participated in large half marathon events with up to 40 thousand people, all running to an eerie quietness of just the sound of feet patter. In this event the participants where quite chatty. Engaging in general chit chat and encouraging fellow runners. It was thought provoking to overhear a comment from other runners about no bands or music to entertain us along the way. Running along the water and beautiful river parklands of Perth provided me with all the sensory stimulation I needed to truly embrace the joy of running. Who needs to be entertained when you are running in natures beauty?
As we progressed along South Perth it was encouraging and disheartening at the same time to capture glimpses of ‘The Birds Nest’. To see the finish line, but yet knowing it is still quite a distance away, can mess with your head. As the 14kers approached the finish we merged with the 4km walkers. Here I needed to engage some of my old soccer and touch footy skills of dodging and weaving to negotiate bikes, prams, walkers and children (not sure what was with the bikes?). Now that could have been exciting if I was running with a PB in mind. Lucky I take the ‘fun’ part of a fun run very seriously. This logistical nightmare was short lived as the path opened up just before we entered the stadium. Running ¾s of a lap around the perimeter of the stadium grounds greeted by music, commentators and a crowd of fellow participants in the stands was up lifting. This finished off the event fabulously.
This well organised event, featuring a flat course, that show cases the scenic river frontage of Perth is one to add to your bucket list. I will add the half marathon to my list for next year!
I would like to give a huge shout out the all the volunteers. The time that you give is much appreciated. These events cannot happen without you. So THANK YOU!
Next week I am running on the Wildflower Festival of Running in Cervantes and Jurien Bay. Stay tuned for another review.
Keep on Running on Real Food – because every ‘body’ runs better on Real Food!
