Isabella Wightman had never imagined herself as the face of a run club. The 23-year-old gave a speedy jog a crack at a Parkrun, a popular weekly event that encourages people to get active in a supportive environment. Invited by a colleague, Ms Wightman's interest in running began to grow into a fully-fledged sprint, pushing herself to find the limit, and go beyond it. It didn't take long until Ms Wightman completed her first running event, the 11km Lonely Mountain Ultra. The event was a turning point, filled with "good vibes and friendly faces" that fueled her passion for running.
"It's always easier and more fun to run with people so I wanted to make it a regular thing." said Isabella.
Inspired by this experience, she decided to take the leap and create a regular, social running group for people in Cowra. Her goal was simple: to make running a fun, inclusive, and accessible activity where everyone—no matter their fitness level—could feel comfortable and supported.
"We’ve started with a nice 4km track around the POW camp. It is for anyone and everyone - people of all ages and all fitness levels. We meet every Wednesday afternoon at 5:30pm (although we may change the time as it heats up) at the Japanese Gardens carpark, have a stretch, have a chat and then off we go. Our second run of the week is currently parkrun which is on a Saturday morning at 8am, starting just down from the watch tower on Sakura Ave." said Wightman.
Since its launch, Cowra Run Club has been steadily growing, with a small but enthusiastic group attending each week. While the numbers are still modest, the crew says the camaraderie is there, with Isabella excited for the future, "I'm looking forward to having more people join us as we grow," she said, "Eventually, we hope to plan some social events and maybe even do a longer run once a month."
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For anyone thinking of joining, Isabella encourages newcomers to reach out on Instagram (@cowrarunclub), where they can find all the details on upcoming runs, updates, and any changes to the schedule.
Cowra Run Club is more than just a chance to get fit; it's about building connections and having fun along the way. So, if you’re looking to try something new, meet new people, or just get active in a supportive environment, Cowra Run Club is the place for you.
For more information, updates, and to get in touch, follow @cowrarunclub on Instagram.
