Caitlin Adams never expected to hold a career world record.
But when it comes to parkrun, everyone has a chance.
The 25-year-old clocked a time of 15 minutes 38 seconds at Lochiel parkrun, in Adelaide’s north-east, in August last year.
Adelaide runner Caitlin Adams. (Instagram: caitlinadams__)
She broke the previous women’s world record, set by Lauren Reid at Paramatta parkrun just six months earlier, by seven seconds.
“Due to the COVID-19 lockdown last year, many of the races I was training for over the winter were canceled or postponed,” he said.
“I knew I was fit, but I was excited to break the world record on a hilly course.”
Originally from Wallaroo on South Australia’s Yorke Peninsula, Adams said on the day of her record, she always planned to push herself.
“I put it down to the fact that there was no pressure,” he said.
“We made the most of the opportunity and I was competing against my friends who I trained with almost every day.”
Learning from some of the best
No stranger to elite running, Adams has represented South Australia in athletics and cross country.
He has also represented Australia at the World Cross Country Championships and competed at the World University Games in Italy in 2019.
Caitlin Adams trains alongside Commonwealth Games gold medalist Jess Stenson. (Instagram: caitlinadams__)
She now trains alongside Commonwealth Games gold medalist Jess Stenson in one of Adelaide’s top distance teams, Team Tempo.
“Everyone I coach is also my close friend, they all have their own running goals,” he said.
“We really take advantage of each other’s accomplishments and dedication when we train each day or step into the starting line.”
Adams missed out on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games after contracting COVID-19 in April, at the height of her training.
“The middle distance scene in Australia is really competitive at the moment and I just didn’t run the times I needed to put my name firmly in the mix,” he said.
“Instead, I focused on gaining valuable experience in racing and training [and]Fortunately, I recovered very well from the illness and returned to my personal best.”
Rising star breaks Australian record
Another Australian making noise on the running scene is Queensland’s Jude Thomas.
Jude Thomas (centre) competes in an event in Queensland. (Provided by: mtsportsphotography)
Just last year, the now 20-year-old broke the Australian men’s parkrun record by 11 seconds, finishing with a time of 14:02 at his home event in Brisbane.
His time was just 14 seconds off the world record held by Andrew Baddeley, who ran 13:48 in 2012.
Thomas said his initial plan was to have a crack at the Queensland record of 14:20, which had also been set on the flat track at Kedron.
“I had a good day out and I ran faster than I thought I would,” Thomas said.
“I had run 13:52 earlier this year on the track at nationals, so to run within 10 seconds of my best time at a parkrun was a surprise.”
He admits that Kedron’s fast course gave him an advantage.
“It’s a very flat course and it was about 10 degrees [Celsius] so that helps,” he said,
“Kedron is a fast course and I think there are only a few other parkruns where I could have run as fast.”
Queensland runner Jude Thomas competing at his local parkrun. (Instagram: judeethomas)
Thomas has been on the competitive Australian running scene for about three years, competing against some of the best in the country, including Olympians Brett Robinson and Ryan Gregson.
Since taking the plunge, she said she has been using parkrun for extra training.
But his parkrun experience did not start on a positive note.
“Honestly, I didn’t really like running and getting up so early on a weekend,” he said.
“Little did I know that some of my best friends and training partners would come from parkrun.
“Dad had to drag me out of bed to go to parkrun in the day, but after a while he grew to love me.”
what comes next
Thomas said his goal was to continue performing at the highest level against his idols.
It also hopes to pave the way for a major event such as the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games or the World Championships.
Caitlin Adams competing at the Adelaide Invitational. (Instagram: caitlinadams__)
As for Adams, he has his sights set on the Australian Cross Country Championships, which start today in Adelaide.
“I would love to win this 10km race,” he said.
“My next big goal is to be selected in the Australian cross country team for the second time in 2023 with the World Championships being held at home in Bathurst for the first time.
“I hope to compete in some road events soon and continue to improve on the track to fight for a spot on the Australian teams.
“Hopefully I can fit in another parkrun very soon too.”
ABC Sport has partnered with parkrun to promote the benefits of physical activity and community involvement.