Breen Avenue Parkrun event director Sarah Langley said the push to bring Parkrun to Kyabram began several years ago.
“We have been looking around town since 2022,” she said.
“We had a couple of passionate parkrunners who attended Shepparton and Echuca Parkruns and thought it was really important for health and wellbeing and social connectedness that we get Parkrun going in Kyabram as well.”
The event launched in March 2026 after the Breen Ave walking track opened and Campaspe Shire Council came on board, with over 30 Parkruns having been held since then.
“We searched a lot until the Breen Ave walking track opened, and at that point, Parkrun said, ‘Yes, fantastic. Let’s do it,’” Sarah said.
The course is an out-and-back route starting at the Allan St end of the track, heading towards Cooma Rd, with a short repeating section between Cooma Rd and Solar Boulevard to reach the 5km mark.
Sarah encourages participants to arrive from 7.45am to meet volunteers and attend the safety briefing.
The nearest public toilets are at Edis Park, about 300 metres from the start line, with additional facilities at the Kyabram Transit Centre at 53 Union St, about 1.5km away.
Sarah said the event welcomed participants of all abilities.
“No-one is excluded based on ability or speed,” she said.
“We actually have a fantastic walking community.
“Our average time is nearly seven or eight minutes slower than all of our other local events, which I think speaks to the positive community of walking and encouraging families to join in.”
The social connections formed through the event have been a highlight.
“We have a lot of people who will head down the street for a coffee together afterwards, or they have got an extra couple of people that they can chat to when they are out and about now,” Sarah said.
“I think the third part is the skill-building and confidence it brings to you, as we don’t require minimum qualifications or an application process to be a volunteer, and it is really positive seeing people growing confidence in delivering the event.
“It’s been a really positive impact on a range of people.”
The event has also attracted international visitors.
“We have had a couple of people from Ireland and New York who have been, for whatever reason, visiting family in northern Victoria and came and joined us,” Sarah said.
“Quite a few of the Parkrun travelling community who will come from all over any state in Australia have taken part.
“We have had a great response from travellers.”
New participants can register at parkrun.com.au before their first Parkrun.