New Homestead Lake parkrun to launch on February 23
Are you ready for another parkrun?
The parkrun initiative continues to grow around South Africa and the popular weekly 5km timed running/walking events are springing up all over the place as more and more people strive for healthier and more active lifestyles.
Benoni is set to receive another new parkrun event when the first Homestead Lake parkrun is launched on February 23 at 8am.
Parkrun South Africa CEO, founder and nine-time Comrades Marathon champion Bruce Fordyce confirmed with the City Times on February 6 that all is set to go at the new parkrun in Homestead Dam Recreation Park which he described as ‘a lovely venue’.
Questioned on launching the new event despite the sorry state of the toilet facilities at the park, Fordyce said: “Not every parkrun has the luxury of clean toilets while others have no toilets whatsoever.
“We hope that our event will push local authorities to clean up the facilities.”
The new parkrun is approximately 1.6km from the Atlasville parkrun, launched last September, which, according to Fordyce, ‘has got so big and is bursting at the seams’ in terms of the number of participants.
Gauteng Regional Ambassador for parkrun Chris Sutton said: “According to parkrun policy and procedures we do not start parkruns but rather help communities start parkruns: For the community by the community.
“When we were approached again by residents near to the Homestead Lake to have their own parkrun for their community, foreseeing the increase at Atlasville, we started the process again in November.
“Atlasville had a record of 1 017 participants on January 12 so we feel that the launch of the Homestead Lake parkrun is timeous.
“We have addressed all the similar points of concern raised by the Atlasville community before their launch and they will actually be the solution to each other’s issues.
“The team from Homestead Lake has been training at Atlasville for many weeks already so there is a very positive relationship and all are ready and excited to launch the new Homestead Lake parkrun.”
Fordyce said that he will unfortunately not be at the launch of the new event, but added that he will make a point of attending in the not too distant future.
The new event will take place in the park at the corner of Wilge Road and Gould Street in Farrarmere from 8am on February 23.
To view the route CLICK HERE.
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