This time of year brings lots of families to parkrun. Extremely hot and humid conditions, with temperatures in the 90s, don’t stop the runners from showing up. In fact, this is one of Clermont parkrun’s busiest times of the year. There are last getaway trips before the school year starts, some end-of-summer training in preparation for cross country season, and plenty of families looking for something to do together on a Saturday morning.

Lots of those families gather at Hiawatha Park each week for Clermont parkrun, and the August 15th edition was no different.

For Robert Stoneking and his son Justin, Saturday morning offered another opportunity to run together before Justin’s middle school cross country season gets underway.

“My son Justin runs in middle school up in Mount Dora. We came last week with some friends on the Tavares Red Sea team. The two of us decided we wanted to come back as we had an open weekend before his cross country season kicks off. We enjoy coming out here, as I enjoy running with Justin, so this might have been the last opportunity before the season starts.”

For Karen Owens and her family, Clermont parkrun has become something worth planning a vacation around.

“We came here last year and loved it. We had to make the trip back this year. We planned our whole trip around Clermont parkrun. We really wish we could come every week. We love Clermont parkrun.”

The Nicklin family from the UK takes family running to another level. Peter Nicklin said running together began after he completed a couple of marathons and has since turned into a family affair. All of them now belong to the same running club back home.

And the kids are fast. “Rex, the middle one, is running in the 18s for a 5K as an 11-year-old. My 10-year-old is running right at 20 minutes, and then my oldest runs a respectable 22 minutes. We like to look at ourselves as a quick family.”

Saturday’s Florida weather provided an additional challenge, but Peter saw something bigger than the finishing times.

“The conditions this morning were tough, but there is a bit more to see. It’s nice to see everyone out exercising this early in the morning. No other sport lets us compete as a family like running, and parkrun gives us that platform.”

That idea of sharing a common goal was echoed by Jonah Smith, who comes to parkrun with his dad.

“It allows me to get out here in the community. It helps me keep working on getting faster and fitness. Out here, there are people to work out with. My dad and I come out and we motivate each other to get faster. Coming out here together gives us a sense of unity. We have a common goal and we push each other.”

For Richard Halsop and Hallie, Saturday was an introduction to parkrun. They had only discovered the event a couple of days earlier.

“It is his first parkrun he has ever done. He plays soccer, but we really enjoy this as we can do it together. We came on Thursday and saw this was going on. We knew we wanted to do it together as a family.”

For some families, the motivation works both ways.

Jason Fuqua and his son Jordan are familiar faces at Clermont parkrun. Usually Jason finishes ahead of Jordan and then comes back to run the final stretch with him.

This week, the roles were reversed.

“Today Jordan got me! But that’s what makes parkrun special. Usually I come back and run the last little bit with Jordan. Today he was the one coming back for me. It is why we do it — finish what we started together!”

Jason said the encouragement starts even before they arrive at Hiawatha Park.

“We are always here to encourage each other. Sometimes I don’t want to get out of bed, but he comes and gets me and gives me that motivation.”

That may be the best way to describe the family atmosphere at Clermont parkrun.

Parents ran with their children. Children pushed their parents. Families visiting Central Florida made parkrun part of their vacation. Young runners used the morning as preparation for the upcoming cross country season. Some chased fast times while others simply enjoyed the opportunity to cover 5K together.

There was room for all of them.

Event Director Jim Pickering said that is exactly what Clermont parkrun is supposed to be.

“It is a great time for a family or individual. We have a place for everyone. If you want to run or walk or volunteer, we have a place for you. It is a great way for a family to come out and spend time together on the weekend and meet some people.”

On a hot and humid August morning in Clermont, plenty of families took him up on that opportunity.

Because while the clock records everyone’s individual finishing time, some of the best parts of parkrun aren’t measured in minutes and seconds.

Sometimes it’s simply about finishing what you started — together.

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