Kate Reed parkrun

This story originally featured in issue 1 of the Runs With A Barcode magazine.

If mud, trails and hills make your heart sing then a trip to Tasmania to Kate Reed parkrun is a must.

Described as a “true trail parkrun”, Kate Reed is bound to have you experiencing a runner’s high long after your result is received.

Taking place in the Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area on the southern outskirts of Launceston, the parkrun is run entirely on trails and includes slightly technical segments.

It started on October 31, 2020, some eight months after it was due to launch, and is already getting a reputation as an event to visit.

“Kate Reed parkrun makes use of one of Tasmania’s beautiful nature reserves,” says event director Leanne Evans.

“It’s a gently undulating scenic trail loop with a mix of fire trail, board walk and flowing single track.

“As well as hearing native bird songs you may be lucky enough to glimpse local wildlife including wallabies and echidnas.”

What do visitors say?

Leanne says in their short event history they have already received many encouraging comments from visiting parkrunners.

“We’ve been told that our course was fantastic but ‘more tricky than we imagined’, that there’s ‘more rocks and tree roots than we thought there would be’; ‘that is a true trail, the only true trail parkrun I’ve actually run’ and that ‘the mud and puddles were fun’.

“If you happen to walk by before, during or after our event, you would see and hear groups of cheerful people chatting, often reliving the great course and their favorite sections.

“Post-run coffee has been known to last for several hours due to the banter and discussion. What better way to spend a Saturday morning?”

Kate Reed parkrun starts at the Kate Reed Trail head and goes down the main fire trail through temperate eucalypt bush.

It enters a beautiful flowing single track with a short boardwalk section then returning to single track. The final 800m undulates under the canopy of casuarina forest.

Origin

Before Kate Reed, Leanne was a regular at Launceston parkrun (she’s run over 180 parkruns there).

“It was growing in numbers and there became a need to start a second local parkrun. I had a vague idea about finding a 5km route to start a new one, but it was only ever thoughts and did not eventuate much more than that.

“A second parkrun did start so I put my ideas to rest, so I thought. During this time I had developed a love of trail running and I live near some amazing trails, which I regularly run on.

“I began to think how good it would be to have a trail parkrun and verbalised my thoughts to a few friends including local trail runners. I was encouraged to investigate the possibility.

“I played around with the idea for several months before seriously looking for a potential 5km route and making it happen. Several trail runner friends aided to develop what we thought was a great course.

“This was not approved by Tasmanian Parks & Wildlife for various reasons. But they were keen to assist and aided the development of an alternative in a different area.

“We were fortunate to receive funding via a Government Grant and Kate Reed parkrun was born. We were due to launch the weekend parkrun events were closed due to COVID.”

While in Launceston…

There are another two parkruns in Launceston, you must visit them both, and of course the other Tasmanian parkruns! They are all so different.

After enjoying your parkrun zip along to the Harvest Market to experience local produce and food.

Launceston has so much to offer, but Launceston Cataract Gorge is a must. Launceston City Park, Royal Park and Princes Square are great for places to relax and soak up the atmosphere. Other places are the Tamar Island Wetlands and The Tasmania Zoo.

The Queen Victoria Museum and Art Gallery is always worth a visit as is the automobile museum. Take a walk around the streets and city to see the beautiful architecture including restored colonial and Victorian buildings. Tamar Valley region is a great place to find top local food and wine.

What’s in a name?

Kate Reed parkrun is named after the Nature Reserve in which it is situated.

This reserve was named after Kate Reed. She was the wife of the late Henry Reed, who owned the estate which previously included the land that makes up Kate Reed Nature Recreation Area.

Get your free copy of this first issue here.