There’s more to Rio than Compliance

Rio Lambino joined ING in 2017 as a Compliance Manager and helps employees understand how to keep the bank safe and secure for customers. She’s also the founding event director for one of the biggest parkruns in New South Wales. This is her story, in her own words.

Community running helps your physical and mental wellbeing

I’m an accountant by trade, but moved into Compliance 20 years ago. I like the concept of translating the commercial sense of laws and regulations so employees understand why it’s important and how crucial everyone's roles are in the bank. Every day is different and brings new challenges in the Compliance world.

Outside of ING, one of my passions is running (although I’m slow!) When my husband and I came to Sydney in 2008, he encouraged me to start running around our local area, The Ponds, in North West Sydney. Compared with other parts of the world, Sydney weather is hard to beat, plus there are beautiful parks with running tracks everywhere!

In December 2013, I saw a newspaper article about parkrun – a free, timed, weekly community run/jog/walk, managed by volunteers, where anyone can turn up on a Saturday morning and complete 5km with other people. The closest one to me was 40 minutes away in Parramatta. I went along and was amazed by the community spirit.  I was hooked straight away.

I told myself: ‘I want to bring parkrun to The Ponds’.

After expressing an interest in establishing a parkrun, Australia’s Head Office team in Queensland sent me the relevant forms and explained the process. I completed all the documentation and applied for permission to the local Council in February 2014, but needed to convince them as the safety of all participants at a weekly event was their primary concern. I knew the benefit parkrun would bring to the community, so I patiently followed up every few weeks. They must have been sick of me by the end of it! The application was finally approved in December 2014.

I’m really grateful for the opportunity to manage this event, which gives me a chance to give back to the community

The Ponds parkrun launched in May 2015 with almost 300 parkrunners. Over the last five years it has grown to become one of the biggest parkruns in New South Wales (an average of 400 – 500 parkrunners each week). We start at 8am every Saturday and finish near a shopping centre where participants have their coffee or breakfast catch up with family and friends afterwards. Managing this event has taught me lots of things including interpersonal skills, being committed, organised and dedicated as people are dependent on how I (and the event team) offer a safe weekly running event, rain, hail or shine.

Everyone should take care of their fitness, and community running is a great way to look after your physical and mental wellbeing. I have witnessed many parkrunners overcome mental illness (i.e. depression, anxiety, etc.) through running; there are those who regained fitness with support from the running community; some started as walkers and now join official running events such as half and full marathons, plus many more amazing stories. 

Since The Ponds parkrun was established, people have come up to me and expressed gratitude for bringing parkrun to the community. It melts my heart but in my mind I salute their courage for taking the crucial first step to take charge of their wellbeing.

Unfortunately, we had to pause parkrun events globally over the past few months due to COVID-19. Once parkrun is back, I encourage everyone to give it a try. With almost 400 parkruns in Australia, there might be a parkrun near you.

parkrun is life changing. That’s what I love the most, and I’m really grateful for the opportunity to manage this event, which gives me a chance to give back to the community.

After all, that’s what being part of a community is all about.