Three years of Ebotse Parkrun celebrated
Three years of the popular Ebotse Parkrun was celebrated on the morning of Saturday, June 20.
The weekly 5km-timed run, organised by dedicated volunteers, is an initiative that is doing its bit in getting and keeping the community fit and active.
On Saturday, Ebotse Parkrun welcomed their stalwart regulars and a smattering of visitors.
One such regular visitor is Comrades and Two Oceans running legend Frith van der Merwe, who can often be spotted taking on the 5km route.
Van der Merwe holds the Ebotse record in her age group at 22 minutes and 40 seconds and is an inspiration to many who take on the Saturday challenge, particularly the junior runners.
Other local heroes at Ebotse Parkrun are Heinrich Kamffer, who has taken first position on 43 occasions for the men’s race, and Christel Kershaw, who has taken 11 first places in the 43 events she has completed.
Robyn Kaltenbrunn, from Benoni High School Athletics, is the first female runner to run a sub-20, after she cracked 19 minutes and 57 seconds recently.
In total, 155 events have been held, with a total of 7 292 runners taking part during that time, at an average number of 304 runners per week, with 106 running clubs represented.
The biggest attendance at Ebotse Parkrun was 1 004.
The average run time is 39 minutes and 52 seconds, with a total of 31 348 hours run and a total distance of 235 900km covered.
Kaltenbrunn holds the women’s record, while Michael Pienaar is the men’s record holder, with a blitz quick time of 15 minutes and 48 seconds.
