Whether you like to walk, run or ride, do it with friends! Join one of these groups and socialise while you exercise.
Groups are free and open to VU staff, students, and the wider community. All fitness levels are welcome.
VU River Walkers
Everyone needs a break from work and study - join the VU River Walkers for a 30 minutes lunchtime stroll. This is a great way to clear the mind, meet some new friends and get active during a busy day.
The following are scheduled River Walkers sessions. However, VU Sport encourages staff and students on all campuses to meet and walk every day! If you walk regularly at another time or place and are willingly to have others join you let us know at sport@vu.edu.au.
Footscray Park River Walkers
When: 12.15pm–12.45pm, Monday – Friday.
Meeting place: Footscray Park Aquatic & Fitness Centre, Building L, Level 0, Footscray Park Campus.
St Albans River Walkers
When: 12.30pm, Tuesdays
Meeting place: St Albans Campus Health & Fitness Centre, Building 11S, St Albans Campus.
VU River Runners
Join us for a weekly 4 km social run along the Maribyrnong River. Multiple scenic courses allow you to enjoy the local area, including Edgewater Lake, Newell’s Paddock and Footscray Park, with friends. Open to students, staff and community. All abilities welcome. Bring a friend!
Where: Footscray Park, Maribyrnong River.
When: 4.30pm-5.30pm, every Wednesday.
Meeting place: Footscray Park Aquatic & Fitness Centre, Building L, Level 0, Footscray Park Campus.
Courses:
Edgewater Classic
The original River Runners course is flat, fast and fun for all. Taking you around the Edgewater Lake the course initially takes you along the Maribyrnong River before veering toward the residential area for the return journey and meeting back up with the river trial for the final sprint to the line.
Footscray Park Plate
This lumpy 2 lap course takes you through the scenic heritage listed Footscray Park Gardens. The Footscray Park Plate has some hills but also a fast flat section along the river to mix things up. A tricky little course that requires some strategy as well with a short detour to be taken on the lap of your choice.
Heavenly Queen Temple Trot
The simplest and fastest of the River Runners courses the Heavenly Queen Temple Trot takes you along the Maribyrnong River past the Heavenly Queen Temple to the Hopkins Street Bridge before you turn around and return the same way waving to your fellow RR as they pass.
Newell's Handicap
The Newell’s Handicap takes you through some of the best parkland that Footscray has to offer. First you will head through the Edwardian Gardens of Footscray Park including a very tricky stair climb before descending back to the river edge and heading for the hidden gem Newell’s Paddock Wetlands Reserve.
Stockbridge Stakes
This course has a little bit of everything, from long straight sections to stair climbs, from bridges to an off track finish the Stockbridge Stakes will test your navigation as much as your legs. Beginning with the river trial the course takes you over the Stock Bridge, through the Kensington Flood Plain, along the Flemington racecourse before crossing back over the river and heading for home.
VU Diamonds (social road cycling)
A time honoured group that has been with VU for almost 2 decades, the Diamonds met Saturday mornings in Port Melbourne for a roll down Beach Rd, which sees the group reach Mordialloc before returning to the Melbourne Bakehouse for the traditional post-ride coffee and cake.
When: Meet 7.50am to be rolling at 8:00am, every Saturday.
Where: Port Melbourne.
Meeting place: Carpark on Beach Road (between Dow St and the Esplanade), Port Melbourne.
Contact us
Julz Nannetti, Sports Coordinator
Email: julz.nannetti@vu.edu.au
