wellness
Paddington runners discover two best Saturday 5K parkrun routes locally
Paddington Bne residents have settled on two consistent Saturday routes that deliver timed 5k runs without travel hassles.
How we reported this
More than 300 runners lined up at 7am last Saturday at Gregory Park for the weekly parkrun that starts at the corner of Given Terrace and Enoggera Road.
Interest has grown since local gyms reported a 22 percent drop in new memberships between January and June this year, pushing people toward free outdoor options that require only a barcode and running shoes.
Two routes that locals use every week
The Gregory Park loop follows a 2.5km out-and-back along the creek path before returning through the open grass at the western end. Runners meet at the playground gate and the event finishes with coffee at the adjacent kiosk on Given Terrace. The second option sits at the Paddington Reservoir Gardens off Latrobe Terrace, where the course winds twice around the heritage-listed site and finishes near the old pump house. Both events record times through the same national parkrun system and publish results online within 24 hours.
Paddington Bne’s active wellness groups, including the weekday boot-camp sessions run by the Ithaca Creek Community Centre, now list these two parkruns as recommended weekend activities on their monthly calendars.
Numbers that show steady use
Official parkrun records show the Gregory Park event averaged 278 finishers each Saturday in the first half of 2026, with the Reservoir Gardens course recording 214. Entry remains free, though participants must register once on the parkrun website and print or save their barcode. The next events are listed for 11 July at both locations, with start times unchanged at 7am.
Anyone new to the format can arrive 15 minutes early to hear the safety briefing at either site. Runners who prefer to walk the course are welcome, and the barcode system records every finish regardless of pace.