Warrnambool parkrun has been given the go-ahead for this weekend

Event director Jarrod Mast is thrilled the weekly five-kilometre run/walk event is back.

He explained parkrun is a tier three public event and not a community sport. Tier three events are for 1000 people or fewer.

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From Friday, public events "are permitted to proceed in line with the restrictions in place in each setting" under the state government's restrictions for regional Victoria - except Shepparton.

Mast was keen to clarify the situation.

"Parkrun Australia manages our event approvals and parkrun in Victoria is a tier three public event which people will often confuse with the community sport category," he said.

He added that was why parkrun was able to go ahead on the morning of Saturday August 21 - despite the state government shutting down regional Victoria community sport on August 20.

The government implemented further lockdown measures from 1pm on that Saturday.

So parkrun hasn't been on since then.

Mast said Warrnambool parkrun had plenty of measures in place including a COVIDSafe plan, QR check-in and washing of equipment.

He noted there was also a 'not-parkrun' option for participants to submit a virtual run to their parkrun profile if they couldn't make it Saturday or wished to run on their own.

Not-parkun participants can complete any 5km walk/run and submit it online.

Otherwise, Mast is looking forward to seeing smiling faces this weekend.

"In terms of the (latest) lockdown, it's even better to get that social connection and get outside and enjoy the sunshine at least, among people who are like-minded," he said.

The race director was grateful to receive the go-ahead on Wednesday so he could rally some volunteers for Saturday.

He said the group was always looking for volunteers and it was another great way to connect with the parkrun community.

It will be Warrnambool parkrun's 198^th event after it started nearly five years ago.

Mast said getting to the 200 milestone had proved tougher than first thought due to the pandemic.

There were also lockdown-enforced breaks from May 8 to June 26 and July 10 to August 14 this year.

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