Scribbly Gums parkrun was my targeted parkrun today to tick off event number 193 for the parkrun Wilson challenge. The Wilson challenge is to complete event numbers from 1 onwards but completions don’t have to be consecutive weeks, eg I could complete a launch to tick off 1 six months ago and then complete other event numbers randomely a 5 a 10, a 6 an 8 a 2 then a 3 and a 9
So I would have completed 1, 2, 3, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10 over a period of time
The official parkrun app named parkrun would record my Wilson index as 3 because I haven’t completed a 4 somewhere, upon completing a 4, my Wilson index would jump to the next continuous number completed which would be 6 as 7 not completed
It is a popular challenge for many parkrunners as its an official challenge. My current index is 156 which is a healthy achievement given that I prefer to complete tourist parkruns and focus on other unofficial challenges
I have friends whose Wilson index is over 300 which entails significant planning given they also plan tourist runs
Scribbly Gums parkrun is named after the conservation park which has many gum trees with marks that appear to be scribble. The marks are created by the newly hatched larvae of a scribbly gum moth burrowing into the tree for sugars
Although the name parkrun suggests its for runners and perhaps a race, parkrun is not promoted as such to encourage people of all abilities and reasons to participate. Its ones personal choice to walk, shuffle, run, chase parkrun challenges, volunteer or enjoy a social day out with family, friends and post event coffee
An excellent example of a social day run is the following photo of another addicted parkrunner, Brad and I reaching the finish line in a jovial mood with broad smiles and no evidence of sweat
