Started in 2004 in the UK, Park Run events have emerged in 22 countries from Australia to Namibia to Poland. All with the simple aim of creating a continuous community of free 5km weekly events for anyone to run, walk, jog, volunteer or spectate at.In Australia alone, there are 454 Park Runs nationwide, run by a dedicated group of passionate volunteers, with new ones being added regularly.  This is the first time my partner Harry and I have attended the Huskisson Park Run. But it’s Harry’s 71st and my eighth Park Run in total.Harry’s clocked up most of his mileage at Sydney Park, a quick hundred metres from his front door. While my exposure to Park Run has been more recent, and despite doing a lot of laps on my local Curl Curl route, many went unrecorded when the official Park Runs were suspended during lockdowns.Read more: Best Trail Runs in SydneyThis is where it gets addictive and potentially competitive.Registering for Park Run means you get a unique barcode that allows you to scan in at the end of every 5km loop. It keeps track of how many events you’ve participated in, where you were, your time, and how you placed among the crowd.You’ll see shirts dotted throughout the crowd of these Saturday runs with the numbers 25, 50, 100, and 250 on their backs.These coveted badges of honour can only be ordered once you have proof of completing that many Park Runs against your unique barcode. With Harry closing in on the big 100, it was only months until he could don the coveted 100 T-shirt too.