Cairns parkrun

06/09/2026

Cairns parkrun Event #656 - Run Port Douglas Edition Ft. Father's day weekend! 🌊🏁💛💙

📸: Glenn Ireland

Run Port Douglas Run Port Douglas Volunteers

05/09/2026

🎶 𝐖𝐄’𝐕𝐄 𝐆𝐎𝐓 𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐈𝐆𝐇𝐓 FUN REPORT @ 𝐂𝐀𝐈𝐑𝐍𝐒 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐧 #𝟔𝟓𝟕, 📅 Saturday 5/9/26
Another shameless Kenny Rogers & Dolly Parton tribute is coming your way. 🤠🎤
First, get this little earworm bouncing around in your head…
then crank up the volume, frighten the cats and belt our Cairns version out loud too. 😈🎶
🎧 Warm up your vocal cords here: 😂
👉 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P6IIkpmw8Ow
# # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # # #
I know it's Saturday, I know it’s early
I know your plans, include parkrun
So, here we are, some of us setting up
Longing for sunshine, stay away rain
…
Why should we worry?
No one will care, much
Look at the finish flags
So far away
…
We've got our aches
Who needs a physio?
We've got some stretches
Why don't we start?
…
Deep in my pocket, I've got my barcode
All of my hopes, for a good run
I've longed for a PB, like everyone else does
I know I'll keep trying, even after today
…
So here’s the safety brief
RD’s said it all now
And here we are, parkies
The Time-keeper says…
…
Three, two, one, parkrun!
Everyone keep left
Watch for the curlews
Why don't you walk?
…
I know you’re late, you know to sprint fast
Gotta catch the Talkwalkers, their job’s coming last
Look, here they come now, fast runners first
All of them sweaty, lungs close to burst
…
They’ve grabbed their tokens
Who needs to barcode scan?
Let's make it fast
Let's find a way
…
Pack up the parkrun gear
Come grab a coffee, now
We've got to celebrate
This parkrunday
…
We're done for today
Who’ll run tomorrow?
Let's make it next week
Let's keep it this way
…
Turn on the sunshine
Come take some photos
We've got the best parkrun
Why don't you stay? Oh
…
Oh-oh, oh
Why don't you stay?
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Apologies for the late submission – the tribe of weary travellers returning from Run Port Douglas needed a wee nap before tackling the day’s admin! Anyway…

Happy Run Port Douglas day. While the parkie-defectors were defecting up north, those with true grit and loyalty held the fort at our local not-racetrack.

Interestingly, last week we had 317 participants, this week we had 258. I'd say most of those missing numbers were at Run Port Douglas - a HUGE turnout for Team parkrun
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👏🦺 𝐇𝐈-𝐕𝐈𝐒 𝐋𝐎𝐋𝐋𝐈𝐏𝐎𝐏 𝐋𝐄𝐆𝐄𝐍𝐃𝐒 & LOYAL PARKIES

A humongous THANK YOU to our:
~26 Hi-Vis Lollipop Legends, who successfully shepherded
~258 Kenny & Dollly fan-parkies and park-puppies around our perfectly picturesque parkrun in paradise. 🌴☀️
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🚨💨 LOYALTY HIGHLIGHTS

💥 26 PBs
Our REFRESHED course is working magic for those chasing PBs. Well done!

🌏 64 visitors from Elsewhere, Far Far Away
Thank you for abandoning your own parkruns for ours.
We understand. 🌴😏

👶 13 FIRST-TIMERS entered the parkrun vortex.
Welcome. 🤗
Your Saturdays now belong to us.
There is no known cure.
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🔵🌟 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝟓𝟎𝟎 𝐂𝐋𝐔𝐁 — 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐋𝐔𝐄 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐆𝐀𝐃𝐄 🌟🔵
4! …or technically Five!! The regular local offenders!

🔵 Peter Mountney
🔵 Steve Betesta
🔵 Glenn Barker
🔵 Linc Biggins
🐶🔵 …and, naturally, Evie
LOYALTY in BLUE!
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🏅 6 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄𝐑𝐒

AKA: perfectly legitimate excuses to purchase more activewear.
🔴 50 — Lars Jessop & John Kirby
🟣 25 — Louise Stout & Alyssa Nott
🦺 v10 — Jo Vgorp
🦺 v1 — Amanda Heiner

Come back for 𝐌𝐈𝐋𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐎𝐍𝐄 𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐃𝐀𝐘, when these champions receive all the recognition they deserve.
Accuracy remains optional. 😇
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📡💥 LOYALTY ON 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐎𝐃𝐈𝐔𝐌

🏃‍♀️💨 First Lady — Niamh Rodney took out the ultimate ‘W’ | 18:57
🏃‍♂️💨 First Gent — Daniel Iveson | 19:27

Niamh was gliding true to style and swept through the Finish funnel past TimeLord Ray Freeman in a blaze of grit and determination. ⏱️👑
Daniel ate Niamh’s dust as he bolted in her slipstream straight for the Finish Funnel.

📊 RESULTS ARE UP!
Go admire your statistics, calculate your average pace to six decimal places, check your BINGO progress and stare approvingly at that suspiciously generous age grading:
👉 results | Cairns parkrun
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📸 𝐏𝐇𝐎𝐓𝐎 𝐆𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐘

Our official pics will be up tomorrow. Our Social Media Guru is recovering from her Port Douglas jaunt with an early knock-off.
In the meantime…
📷 Drop your photos below 👇
👯 Tag your crew
🐶 Tag your parkpup
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🦺 𝐕𝐎𝐋𝐔𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐄𝐑 𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐖

Our roster 𝐀𝐋𝐖𝐀𝐘𝐒 has room for another Hi-Vis Lollipop Legend.
Not feeling speedy? Injured?
Excellent.
You can stand still and volunteer. 😂
Step up, look magnificent in red and help prevent your Event Directors from resorting to stress-induced begging.
👉 https://www.parkrun.com.au/cairns/futureroster/
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📅 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐈𝐍𝐆 𝐔𝐏…

12 Sep 🌼 SPRING INTO PARKRUN
19 Sep 🏴‍☠️ PIRATES OF THE CAIRNS ESPLANADE + SPEED WEEK (claim your bib)
26 Sep 🏆 CAIRNS parkrun GRAND FINAL — Wear Your Colours
3 Oct 🎂 PARKRUN TURNS 22 — From 13 to Millions
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⚡ FAST. SLOW. STEADY.
🚶 WALK. JOG. RUN. VOLUNTEER.

Whatever your pace…
WE’LL SEE YOU NEXT parkrunday. ❤️🌴


📝 𝘏𝘦𝘭𝘦𝘯
𝘚𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘵-𝘰𝘶𝘵𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘔𝘪𝘭𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘰𝘯𝘦𝘴
𝘊𝘰-𝘘𝘶𝘦𝘦𝘯 𝘰𝘧 𝘋𝘪𝘳𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘰𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱
𝘊𝘰-𝘞𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘭𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘏𝘶𝘮𝘢𝘯𝘴 𝘞𝘩𝘰 𝘍𝘰𝘳𝘨𝘦𝘵 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘪𝘳 𝘉𝘢𝘳𝘤𝘰𝘥𝘦𝘴
𝘚𝘦𝘤𝘰𝘯𝘥 𝘖𝘯𝘭𝘺 𝘵𝘰 𝘗𝘳𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦𝘴𝘴 𝘞𝘪𝘭𝘭𝘰𝘸 🐶👑

05/09/2026

A special thanks to all the amazing people who joined Team parkrun at Run Port Douglas today running & volunteering leading up to the Event!

We had an great day of running, cheering, sign-holding, volunteering & much more. See you all again next year!

What an amazing event 🌴🙌🥥

04/09/2026

Ready, teddy, not-parkrun!

04/09/2026

🚨 **MISSED BIB COLLECTION?** 🚨

We know there are a few people who simply **can’t make it to Bib Collection today**, so we’re offering a **LAST-MINUTE Bib Collection in Port Douglas on RACE MORNING!** 🙌

🏃 **21.1km Half Marathon**
🚗 **Pacific Toyota 10km**
🌴 **5km Run**
⏰ **Bib Collection: 5:00am – 5:30am**

👟 **Sheraton Grand Mirage Resort Port Douglas 2km Run/Walk**
⏰ **Bib Collection: 8:30am – 9:00am**

📍 **Port Douglas**

This is for those who genuinely **can’t make it to Bib Collection today** — if you can collect beforehand, please do!

🌴 **RACE DAY IS TOMORROW!** 🏝️🏅

We can’t wait to see you at **Run Port Douglas!** 🔥
👉 https://runportdouglas.com.au

Shire Council

Queensland, Australia
North Queensland
Port Douglas & Daintree
Airport
Grand Mirage Resort, Port Douglas

04/09/2026

Thank you to St Monica's for joining us at Cairns parkrun last Saturday!

See you all next time 🌴🤍🖤

🎥: Sofia Stoli

03/09/2026

🏡 𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐌𝐄 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋 𝐄𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐓𝐄 — 𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐒 𝐍𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐏𝐄𝐍! 🏡

📍 Niall’s Turnaround (marshal)
📅 Saturday 5/9/26

A rare opportunity has hit the Cairns parkrun market. 🌴

Secure this prestigious holding and wipe some vollie-debt — perhaps accumulated through:

🤫 Talking during the Safety Brief
🩰 Failing to wear a tutu on an Essential Tutu Day
😇 Other offences too serious to mention

🙋 Hands up! First bidder gets the keys.

No deposit. No conveyancing.
Just a hi-vis vest and eternal glory. 🦺🏆

Reply with your name & Barcode number, or send us a message. Thank you 😊 🙏.

02/09/2026

🎸👑 𝐄𝐋𝐕𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐀𝐒 𝐋𝐄𝐅𝐓 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐁𝐔𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐈𝐍𝐆 @ Cairns parkrun 5/9/26.

Well… most of the Cairns parkrun Core Team has, anyway. 😳

A sizeable herd of our Core Team, vollies and parkies is escaping north this 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲, 𝐒𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐝𝐚𝐲 𝟓/𝟗/𝟐𝟔, for the sand, sea, sun and questionable life choices of Run Port Douglas. 🌴🏃‍♀️💦

So, what does this mean for Cairns parkrun?

~Freedom?
~Rebellion?
~Anarchy?
~Someone moving the cones 30cm and nobody noticing?

Whatever happens…

🎭 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐎𝐖 𝐌𝐔𝐒𝐓 𝐆𝐎 𝐎𝐍.
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👗🩳 𝐃𝐑𝐄𝐒𝐒 𝐂𝐎𝐃𝐄: 𝐖𝐇𝐀𝐓𝐄𝐕𝐄𝐑

It’s parkrun. Wear whatever tickles your fancy.

Besides, who’s left to judge you?

*Princess Willow 🐶👑 will be reclused in her Castle while Mama is galivanting, so standards are expected to collapse almost immediately.
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🌅 𝐖𝐄𝐀𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑

Expect something around 20°C, with possible sunshine, rain, sweat, humidity and several people loudly announcing:

🥵 “Geez, it’s warm today.”

Humidity should be around 65%, with another ridiculously pretty Cairns sunrise at 6:20am.

Nature showing off again. 🙄🌴
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⚠️ 𝐁𝐑𝐈𝐄𝐅𝐒 @ 𝟔:𝟓𝟎𝐚𝐦 ⚠️

Gather beneath the sacred Cone of Silence for briefs covering the Essential Bits, delivered by:

👑 Run Dictator: John O'Grady
🎙️ First Timers & Visitors Silencer: David Elms

🚨 𝐀𝐍𝐃 𝐘𝐄𝐒 — 𝐘𝐎𝐔 𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐃𝐎 𝐍𝐄𝐄𝐃 𝐓𝐎 𝐋𝐈𝐒𝐓𝐄𝐍.

We have a REFRESHED COURSE, and somewhere amongst the talking will be useful information explaining where you are supposed to go.

Ignore it, accidentally follow the old course, record an illegal PB and start celebrating…

…and our Results Team will crush your dreams before breakfast. 😈💻

Miss the briefs entirely and you may incur a Volunteer Debt™.

**Interest applies. **
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🆕 𝐅𝐈𝐑𝐒𝐓 𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐑?

Excellent.

Register for free, bring your barcode and prepare to accidentally surrender **every Saturday morning for the foreseeable future.**

👉 https://www.parkrun.com.au/register/
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⚠️🏁 𝐑𝐀𝐂𝐄 POLICE— 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐀𝐅𝐄𝐓𝐘 𝐁𝐈𝐓𝐒

Yes, we know. Rules.

But these ones keep everyone upright, accounted for and preferably out of the shrubbery.

🚫 No bikes or scooters.
Prams, wheelchairs and approved mobility devices/adaptive cycles used by participants with a disability are welcome.

👧 Under 11s: stay within arm’s reach of a responsible adult.
Kids, acquire one if necessary.

⬅️ KEEP LEFT.
Overtake on the right when safe.

🏁 FINISH FUNNEL: enter it ONCE.

🚫 NO OVERTAKING.

🚫 NO FUNNEL DUCKING.

Take your Finish Token ➡️ get it scanned ➡️ RETURN IT.

🐎 SEEDING: place yourself in the Start Zone according to your expected Finish Time.

🚶 Walkers to the rear, please.

This reduces the traditional opening-50-metres game of **Human Dodgem Cars™**.

❤️ We have a defibrillator and First Aid Kit.
See a volunteer immediately if assistance is needed.
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🚨🦺 𝐅𝐔𝐓𝐔𝐑𝐄 𝐇𝐈-𝐕𝐈𝐒 𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐎𝐄𝐒 🦺🚨

Our roster always has room for another magnificent human prepared to wear fluorescent clothing and accept enormous power.

Check the vacancies, then comment or message us with your:

✅ Barcode number
✅ Dream role
✅ Complete willingness to be called a Hi-Vis Legend

👉 https://www.parkrun.com.au/cairns/futureroster/

No previous experience necessary.

We provide training, encouragement and photographic evidence.
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⚡🌴 𝐁𝐀𝐂𝐊 𝐓𝐎 𝐩𝐚𝐫𝐤𝐫𝐮𝐧𝐝𝐚𝐲…

Bring a mate.
Bring your family.
Bring the person who keeps saying: “I really should start exercising.”

They can:

🏃 Run
🚶 Walk
🏃‍♀️ Jog
🦺 Volunteer
👏 Spectate

Whatever happens…

💛 𝐖𝐞 𝐚𝐫𝐞 𝐂𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐧𝐬.
🌴 𝐖𝐞 𝐝𝐨 𝐧𝐨𝐭 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞.

~Mostly.



✒️ 𝐇𝐞𝐥𝐞𝐧 👑
*Co-Creator of Team parkrun & Loyal Servant to Princess Willow 🐶*

30/08/2026

It's lovely to receive such a glowing mention Down Under, from our pommie brethren 'Up Top'!

PRESS RELEASE: NEW BIG PIPE-BASED TWINNING ARRANGEMENTS

Tawd Valley parkrun’s relationship with other parkrun events has not always been easy. This is wholly the fault of these other parkrun events, who tend to be peopled by incorrgible rogues (Ormskirk parkrun), base saboteurs (Trentham Gardens parkrun), fierce Vikings (Løvstien parkrun), rank ne-‘er-do-wells (Cairns parkrun) or utter loonies (Pegasus parkrun) [1].

It is in this context of largely hostile relations, therefore, that we are very pleased to announce our friendly new twinning arrangements [1] with Upper Las Virgenes Canyon parkrun, in or maybe quite near Los Angeles, USA, right past Kirkby, who had their inaugural event on Saturday, and on which congratulations are due.

Like Skelmersdale, Los Angeles is a medium-sized town with nice hills, a most pleasing beachfront and a small but energetic cultural industry.

However, the key driver for the new twin parkrun status is that, excitingly, Upper Las Virgenes Canyon parkrun in or Los Angeles has the word ‘canyon’ in its title.

As you will remember from GSCEs, ‘canyon’ has its etymological roots in the Mexican Spanish term ‘cañon’, the augmentative form of 'cano', which means ‘tube’ or ‘pipe’.

This means that Upper Las Virgenes Canyon parkrun literally sort of means 'Big Pipe parkrun', and is therefore totally suited to being twinned with Tawd Valley parkrun, which is also famous for having a Big Pipe.

It is as though fate has brought our parkruns together, and we look forward to a long and lasting friendship and exchange visits between our peoples, including massive cocktails with a cherry on a stick for our top brass at a beachfront condominium in Malibu, which is dead close to their parkrun course.

Pictured is Gil, Upper Las Virgenes Canyon parkrun’s top notch founder Perambulation Director, who is like our best mate now. We nicked the pic from their page, ‘cos needs must.

Notes for press

{1] Set against the bunch of reprobates above, we have found the good people of Gnoll parkrun to be upstanding albeit slightly mad types, who even offered to lend us their superfluous G when the T fell off one our Tawd Valley signs that time.

[2] The twinning arrangements are not totally finalized yet, because we’ve not contacted anybody at Upper Las Virgenes Canyon parkrun in or Los Angeles just yet, but we will in a bit.