The Physical Performance Show: Tim Oberg – parkrun Australia CEO & Founder
In episode 121 of The Physical Performance Show Brad Beer has a conversation with Tim Oberg – parkrun Australia CEO & Founder.
In this interest edition of the Physical Performance Show we take a trip back to 2011 when parkrun Australia was launched. We discuss why and how Tim brought parkrun from the UK, parkrun’s founding nation over to the Australian soil and what the last 7 years have looked like to see parkrun go from the very first run in the park at Main Beach here on the Gold Coast, to now entail 319 locations growing every week, 3,000 volunteers every Saturday and 640,000 runners across Australia taking part in parkruns.
It’s a remarkable story, with some twists and turns along the way and a very faithful and loyal dog. If you have ever wondered how parkrun came to be so prolific here in Australia you are going to really enjoy this conversation with Tim Oberg.
To listen to Episode 121:
Click the icon to listen to the interview on iTunes or listen using the soundcloud player below
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Listen in as we delve into the following:
- What is Tim learning at the moment
- Birth of his son during a cyclone
- Growing up in Brisbane
- Getting into recreational running
- How Tim became involved in parkrun
- How parkrun was introduced in Australia
- Meeting Ron Clarke
- Current statistics at parkrun Australia
- parkrun name change and growth
- More interesting parkrun locations
- parkrun around the world
- A week surrounding parkrun
- Revenue Streams
- Volunteering at parkrun
- Starting at parkrun
- What parkrun means to Tim
- Life impacts from listeners
- Who is at Tim’s dinner table
Show Sponsor Fisiocrem
Thank you to this week’s show sponsor: fisiocrem. fisiocrem is a topical massage cream containing natural plant based ingredients, ideal for the temporary relief of muscular aches and pains. It is clean to use and pleasant smelling. fisiocrem can be found at chemists and health stores Australia-wide, as well as their online shop. fisiocrem have also offered a 20% discount to listeners of The Physical Performance Show using coupon code POGO when you shop at fisiocrem.com.au. Hurting sucks, and they’ve got your back!
Win a fisiocrem prize pack by entering the competition here.
Quotes:
“You’re not going to come last.”
“Everyone is welcome at parkrun”
“It’s about family”
“parkrun is making physical activity the normal thing to do.”
“parkrun has changed my life”
To follow Tim Oberg
Instagram: @timoberg78
Twitter: @timoberg78
To follow parkrun Australia
Instagram: parkrun Australia
Twitter: @parkrunAU
Facebook: @parkrunAU
Website: parkrun Australia
Timeline:
0:00 Start
3:00 What is Tim learning at the moment
4:00 Birth of his son during a cyclone
6:45 Growing up in Brisbane
10:00 Getting into recreational running
15:00 How Tim became involved in parkrun
17:00 How parkrun was introduced in Australia
22:30 Meeting Ron Clarke
26:30 Current statistics at parkrun Australia
30:00 parkrun name change and growth
36:00 More interesting parkrun locations
38:00 parkrun around the world
41:00 A week surrounding parkrun
45:00 Revenue Streams
48:00 Volunteering at parkrun
50:00 Starting at parkrun
53:00 What parkrun means to Tim
57:30 Life impacts from listeners
1:00:00 Who is at Tim’s dinner table
1:02:30 Physical Challenge – Run a negative split at your parkrun
1:05:00 Starting a parkrun location
1:12:10 Finish
Sponsors
Medibank
Athlete’s Foot
The Embracing 2018 Legacy Program
People Mentioned
Ron Clarke – AUS Olympic Runner and Former Gold Coast Mayor
For questions and comments about this Episode
Send to the show host @Brad_Beer (Twitter)
