They are the words plastered across the home page of parkrun Australia.

For those who are not familiar, parkrun brings communities together around the country, and the world, at the same time every weekend. It is a free five-kilometre course that can be walked or ran and is now held in 412 locations in Australia every Saturday at 8am. On Sunday mornings, there are also 2km junior parkruns for children aged four to 14.

One of the newest parkruns is event No.405 - Avondale University College parkrun. Event directors are Wangi Wangi husband and wife Jason Becker and Danielle Hart and there's is a familiar parkrun story.

Jason and Danielle got their first taste of parkrun through friends in 2012. They have been hooked ever since and went on to become event directors of Lake Mac parkrun, which is held on the shores of Lake Macquarie.

They have now started Avondale University College parkrun to fill what they believe was a void on the western side of Lake Macquarie.

Avondale University College parkrun takes place at Avondale University College. The closest township is Coorangbong, so Jason said it is "snuggled in between Morisset and Wangi". It is a single-lap clockwise trail course following Jigadee Creek and Dora Creek.

"It starts and finishes on the college football field and is around what is known as the Avondale Estate," Jason said. "It's also a working farm, so you're actually running through the working farm of the estate, so it's something very different.

"It's probably the ideal course for anyone who's coming back from injury and doesn't want to go pounding the pavement. It's quite a flat, soft surface course."

It is the 16^th parkrun for the Hunter region, which is widely known as the "Region of Runners".

While each parkrun is different, they all offer the same thing - community connection and a chance to get active in the great outdoors in a supportive and encouraging environment.

According to parkrun.com.au, "parkrun is a positive, welcoming and inclusive experience where there is no time limit and no one finishes last. Everyone is welcome to come along, whether you walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate".

The need for parkrun has not been more evident than in the past couple of months since its return after a lengthy pause due to the coronavirus pandemic.

"A lot of people felt a bit lost," Jason said.

"We felt like our Saturday mornings had been taken away from us and it was a big hole that was there for almost 12 months. You can see by the numbers since we've come back after COVID. We certainly haven't lost anyone."

Each parkrun is different. But, as Jason explained, they were more than just the run.

"It's that whole sense of community," he said. "You hear a lot of people talk about the church of parkrun. It's almost a religion for some people. It's the Saturday fix to get out, catch up with their friends. Yes, you've got your fast guys there but there are a lot of people who walk it too.

"It's more of that social, get out on Saturday morning, do a bit of exercise, catch up with your friends, meet new people. It's more community and well-being and not so much about the run."

Send your health and fitness news to r.valentine@austcommunitymedia.com.au.

Renee Valentine is a journalist, qualified personal trainer and mother of three.