What Parkrun can teach us about building community

Tim Oberg has spent much of the past two decades getting Australians moving, but running was never really the point.Tim brought Parkrun to Australia in 2011, growing it from its first event at Main Beach on the Gold Coast to hundreds of communities around the country. Along the way, he discovered that the real magic wasn't the five-kilometre run. It was consistency, inclusivity, volunteering and the sense of belonging created when people simply showed up for each other.In this episode of Changemakers, Gavin sits down with Tim to unpack what Parkrun taught him about creating communities that last, why removing friction is one of the most powerful things a community builder can do, and why our need for face-to-face connection has only grown in the age of smartphones and social media.Tim also shares the next chapter of his mission through the Healthy Kids Project and Rad Run Club, a program designed to get primary school kids moving while building resilience, attitude and determination.They explore the role schools can play in healthier communities, what Brisbane 2032's real legacy could look like, the good and bad of technology, and why collaboration has shaped Tim's approach to leadership.LinksRad Run ClubHealthy Kids ProjectParkrun AustraliaTim Oberg on LinkedInIn this episode, we cover: What community means to Tim and how living overseas changed his understanding of belonging  Why digital connection can't completely replace face-to-face human connection  How Parkrun started and the story of bringing it to Australia in 2011  The role consistency, inclusivity and community ownership played in Parkrun's growth  Why removing friction makes it easier for people to join and stay in a community  How gamification and community-created challenges helped Parkrun become more than a weekly 5K  The life-changing impact community can have beyond its original purpose  How to build a community from scratch using lessons from Parkrun  Why Tim shifted his attention towards children's physical and mental wellbeing  How the Healthy Kids Project and Rad Run Club are getting primary school children moving  Why Rad stands for resilience, attitude and determination  The role schools and families play in creating healthier, more connected communities  Why Brisbane 2032's greatest legacy could be getting more Australian children moving  Why elite sporting success doesn't automatically translate into grassroots participation  How technology can help scale communities without keeping people glued to screens  The difference between technology that encourages consumption and technology that encourages participation  Why collaboration is one of Tim's most important lessons in leadership  How shared values can create unexpected partnerships and stronger communities Chapters00:00 Meet Tim Oberg and what community means to him05:05 Why community matters more than ever09:14 What is Parkrun?12:05 How Tim brought Parkrun to Australia17:40 The ingredients behind Parkrun's success21:06 When a running event becomes something much bigger24:46 How to build a community from scratch27:37 From Parkrun to the Healthy Kids Project and Rad Run Club38:28 Building healthier communities through schools and Brisbane 203245:52 Technology, leadership and the future of community