Imagine a cross between a baton relay and the school teddy that used to go home and have a diary kept about it. That is pretty much a good description of the 10 Boomerangs of South Beach Parkrun.
In the Beginning – The 10 Boomerangs Story
Back on 15th June 2024 at South Beach Recreation Reserve parkrun, Autstralia – 10 Boomerangs began their world journey. There were 5 volunteers and 5 people running/walking each with a numbered Boomerang. The idea being to pass the Boomerang to a new recipient and from parkrun to parkrun each week. This can be as a Volunteer or run/walk/jogger.
They would then spend the week together and fully document their adventures together – uploading their photos and stories to the 10 Boomerangs South Beach parkrun Facebook page.
Leaving Australia
It was on Friday 21st June 2024, on QF71, that the 10 Boomerangs left Australia accompanied by two Run Directors – Ally and Johana. The idea is that they have their adventures and then come home!
Each of the 10 Boomerangs has an identifying number labelled on it. Some, additionally, have names:
- R2B2 previously named R2D2
- DELLB6 – the most precious boomerang, it is to be part of a memorial run when it returns for their dear friend Dell
- B8RTIE
- JB9 (Junior) – for all the Junior parkruns it has been to.
Rules for the 10 Boomerangs
- Choose a new Boomeranger who is keen and enthusiastic. It is about creating connections – not just passing from one parkrun to another. Some people have added souveneirs – including keyrings and stickers. I just checked it was okay to add my sticker before doing so.
- Get their full name and get them to join the Facebook Group – 10 Boomerangs South Beach parkrun
- There is no resting for Boomerangs – they MUST be attending a new parkrun the following week. Although Boomerangs have been known to return to a parkrun that they have previously attended apparently!
- Find out which parkrun they are going to visit – not just the town or city but the actual parkrun name.
- Once a Boomerang arrives in Australia it can only travel in Australia!!
- Take lots of pictures and share your adventures as part of the worldwide parkrun community. It has been great to learn about new places – including where to visit, history and culture of the places.
Other Things to Note
- Ideally let the next parkrun team know that you intend to visit ASAP.
- See if you can find a new Boomeranger ahead of time and arrange a meet up.
- Get a photo in front of the parkrun sign handing over the Boomerang.
- Make sure the Boomerang has on about handing it over written on it.Fill in which parkrun you handed it over. I regret not taking a photo of this list!
- If you are returning the Boomerang back to South Beach Recreation Reserve parkrun then let them know so that they can organise a cake and a welcome back!
- Be enthusiastic at the parkrun you are visiting. I was gutted when I saw B8ertie at Bushy parkrun 999 but didn’t ask about it! So when I had hold of JB9 I told everyone and asked if they wanted a photo. Telling them not to regret the opportunity!
The 10 Boomerangs Returning Home So Far
- B4 first to make it back home on 22nd November 2024.
- B3 returned home on January 11th 2025
- B1, B7 and B10 are now in Australia.
10 Boomerangs Admin
Each week the admins of the 10 Boomerangs group work really hard. They making sure they know where each of the 10 Boomerangs are, who they are with, and where they are heading. This makes it easier for you to try and catch up – and hopefully get to have adventures with one. They also have lost posters and ask the community to help them find Boomerangs when they don’t know where they are.
It did feel like a huge responsibility making sure the handover went okay, but honestly it was fine. Once handed over it seemed that it was actually really sought after and someone else was gutted not to have received it!
Boomerang Day
There are plans for a Boomerang day in London on 19th July 2025. This would be for all past and present Boomerang holders, anyone who has had their photo taken with a Boomerang, and all members of the Facebook group, to come together.
This is because Ally O’Rourke (the person who started it all back in June 2024) will be in town. Also the venue has not been decided but looks like it would NOT be at Bushy Park.