Last night I registered for Parkrun. It’s a running event that happens all around the world. I registered for the Pirrama Parkrun which runs along the west side of Sydney Harbour at Pyrmont. I went on my mobility scooter. Yep you heard me right.

Parkrun runners are going past near where I live every Saturday morning. The sounds of feet stomping the pavement remind me of my own running days. I want to get amongst that! So I did.

Pirrama Parkrun Scooter Adventure

This week I joined, last night actually. When I went on the Parkrun site, using a mobility scooter was fine.

So you register online and rock up about 15 minutes before the run takes place. They’ll call out “are there any first timers here today?” A wave of hands shoot up and we discover that people join from all parts of the world for their weekly park run. I hear Scotland and New Zealand and wonder if people just do that while they are on holidays. There is a cruise ship in.

I have no expectations. I’ve charged both my batteries so I won’t break down.

A Zen moment

But let me stick with travels with my scooter. As I wasn’t technically exercising why bother hooking up with this event at all? Truth is I just wanted to take my scooter in it and take some happy snaps. It’s not like there were any other mobility scooters in the mix. Glad I put some lippy on cause I stuck out like a sore thumb.

I thought I’d get bored over the 5km distance. I but instead I almost went a bit Zen. I stopped talking to people. I scootered ahead from the back of the pack until I was between the runners and the walkers. I found my space.

At the sections of crossover I was hearing the thudding of multiple footsteps on the boardwalk. It was so special. Now maybe it’s because I used to run. The nostalgia of thudding feet.

I was very happy in my mobility scooter zone. It was so relaxing, while feeling a part of something bigger. It felt worthwhile in a strange intangible way. No sweat on my brow afterall.

So thanks Parkrun. A big thank you to all the friendly and welcoming volunteers.

Dezzie 2025