16 May 2026 Anniversaries

Today marks two significant (to me) anniversaries.

# Coburg parkrun - 16 May 2015

Eleven years ago today I was timekeeper at Coburg parkrun # 1. It was a big monment saying “go” and seeing about a hundred people head off together on Merri Creek Trail for the first time, but I had no big how big and important that community would become to one another.

It was great to be back at Coburg parkrun for the event today and to be timekeeper once more. It was dry today and there are generally fewer people at Coburg than Parkville, so it was a relativly relaxed affair.

# Cardiac Arrest - 16 May 2020

In the early days of the COVID-19 Pandemic, when we were confined to our 5km bubbles and an hour of exercise per day, I went out for a 5km “(not)parkrun” with the kids, taking in some of the Coburg parkrun course. Shortly after this I collapsed at home and woke up in intensive care four days later.

The quick and effective response of my family saved my life. Today’s the day I remind you to learn CPR! You never know where or when you will be a lifesaver.

OpenAEDMap is an open-data project which shows all Automated External Defibrillators (AED) around the world. Please take a moment to find out where your nearest one is, or, if you already know where you nearest AED is, ensure it’s on the map.

It’s good to be alive!