A NEW Port Macquarie Parkrun course will make its debut this weekend as organisers look to improve safety at the ever-growing event.
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Runners will now head west along the length of the Town Green before making their way along the Breakwall to Town Beach and back, twice.
The run finishes at the Town Green.
The use of the extra 800 metres - 400m each way - of the Town Green aims to disperse the pack before it hits the narrow section of the Breakwall.
The course was scouted out by Port Macquarie Parkrun director Keith Robinson and committee member Kevin Chilvers.
They ran it numerous times, first using GPS, then a measuring wheel, to get the distance exactly right.
"Getting the perfect five kilometres took a few goes," Mr Robinson said.
The change meant the weekly event was postponed for a fortnight, but the long-term gain was well worth the short-term pain.
"It's safer," Mr Robinson said.
"Unfortunately, it complicates the course."
The Port Macquarie community has embraced the Parkrun concept since the Hastings event was first run in October.
About 200 runners are hitting the pavement every week.
That was where the problems were occurring in the old course, which began outside Zebu and headed straight for the Breakwall.
"There were about 200 all hitting the Breakwall at once," Mr Robinson said.
Port Macquarie's Parkrun will get underway at 7am Saturday.
Parkruns are similarly popular further afield.
"There are Parkruns starting all up the coast," Mr Robinson said.
Locations include Forster, Coffs Harbour, Ballina and Lismore.
