Parkrun Australia became the beneficiary of a  $1.8 million federal government grant. 

Announced in Launceston, Federal Sport Minister Bridget McKenzie said Parkrun was an obvious choice for her to give the organisation part of the $22m funds to encourage older Australians to get active. 

“Of the successful 27 projects, out of the 2000 that came over my desk wanting to help get older Australians active … was a a no-brainer for me because it ticks all the boxes of bringing the community together, and getting them more physically, mentally and more socially connected and that is the Parkrun movement,” she said. 

Parkrun Australia chief executive Tim Oberg welcomed the announcement. 

“This Parkrun Generations project is going to be an absolute game changer,” he said.

“Our commitment through this grant is that we want to see 50,000 more Australians who are over 65 participating in the next two years. It’s a bold agenda.”

The grant is part of the federally-funded Better Ageing projects. 

Launceston’s first Parkrun event was held in 2012.