They're usually competing neck and neck with each other when parkrun is on, but during lockdown Bathurst runners Max Martinez and Miller Rivett have been working together to help each other improve.
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The current COVID-19 lockdown means Bathurst parkrun can not go ahead, with the last event on the morning of Saturday, August 17, the day the lockdown was announced.
Between the two of them, they've won 10 of the last 14 parkruns, with Martinez winning seven and Miller claiming success three times.
Martinez said Miller has been a huge influence in his running.
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"I've got to give him a lot of credit as he's helped me achieve some of my goals in parkrun," he said.
"He's just great and it doesn't matter if he's in front of me or behind, he just doesn't give up which really helps me push myself and not to give up.
"Ever since the [Mount Panorama] Punish last year he's gone to the next level. He's an amazing runner himself and he's just gonna get better which will help me get better and push myself.
"We've built a nice little friendship and had some great parkrun battles over the time and I'm looking forward to seeing what times we can produce over the future."
While there's still plenty of uncertainty about when parkrun will return, Martinez said he's eager to get back to the weekly event.
"I'm so keen for parkrun to come back. I hope it's back soon, as I'm really missing it so much," he said.
"I've been running with Miller actually the last two weeks on the weekends which has been nice to have some company while running and I'm especially looking forward to parkrun coming back.
"I was running some good times before lockdown. I ran a PB of 16:41 and Miller is in some good form as well.
"We had a five kilometre time trial on the weekend and we ended up running the same time with 16:29 which is good and hopefully we take that form back to parkrun and help push each other run some PB's."
Martinez said it's good to remain fit and healthy during lockdown.
"Keeping active during lockdown is important and a good thing to do," he said.
"It doesn't matter if it's walking or running, any exercise is great especially during lockdown with not much to do.
"It's a great way to get out of the house for a bit and keep active and you can still exercise in groups of two, which is great and you can still exercise with a friend in a COVID safe way."
For parkrun updates, visit the Facebook page.
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