Ebotse parkrun hits 500th milestone

It was first run on June 16, 2012 with 70 runners in attendance. Lat year, it celebrated its 10th anniversary last year.

November 2, 2023

Lebohang Pita 2 minutes read

The Ebotse parkrun volunteers celebrate the event’s 500th run.

A sea of blue, with splashes of the Springboks’ green and gold, decorated the CR Swart Park in celebration of the Ebotse parkrun’s 500th event on October 28.

The event was attended by the young, the old, the frail, the fit, the unfit and the healthy. There were first-timers and those chasing their 50th, 100th or 200th personal milestones. They came in numbers to celebrate as SA’s third oldest parkrun reached another milestone.

Ebotse CEO Stephan Vorster and Ebotse Parkrun event director Chintan Patel.

From Farrarmere Primary School learners, multiple Comrades Marathon medallists Danny Oosthuizen and David de Sousa to road running sensations Kate van Jaarsveld and Shane McGregor, it was a celebration of the zest and energy parkrun has brought to Benoni.

“We are here whether it’s pouring, freezing or boiling. And whatever crowd size we have, however big or small, we are here,” said event director Chintan Patel.

It was a packed field as locals came to celebrate the Ebotse parkrun’s 500th anniversary run.

Patel started as a volunteer in 2017, and through passion and, like all volunteers, he served selflessly and ultimately was promoted to his current position last year.

“It’s been a great journey. I put it on the map as one of the well-organised in Ekurhuleni.”

Beginnings

Aimed at community building and promoting healthy living, it was first run by about 70 runners on June 16, 2012, on the golf course inside the estate. As the numbers swelled, the parkrun moved to the boathouse and, ultimately, to CR Swart Park.

While the event celebrated it’s milestone, participants also reached their own personal achievements.

“Ian Morshead and Bruce Fordyce started it, with 70 runners showing up in the early stages, and our record attendance is 1 300. It’s a popular concept and because of the huge numbers here, we opened other parkruns at Homestead Dam, Atlasville and other parts of Ekurhuleni,” said former event director, Gary Jackson.

Jackson said they could have reached this milestone sooner if it were not for the Covid-19 lockdown.

Caludio de Freitas, Donovan da Serra, Michelle de Freitas, Johny Avelar and Robbie de Freitas.

Ebotse Golf and Country Estate CEO Stephan Vorster said that since June 2012, Saturday mornings on the estate changed for the better.

“It’s changed the atmosphere around Ebotse and in Benoni. We support exercising and living healthily. This makes me proud. It’s something people look forward to. It’s their weekly interaction,” he said.

Life changer

Darryl Goosen, who celebrated his 500th run on August 5, said parkrun had changed his life immensely.

Comrades Marathon legends Davide de Sousa (205 parkruns), Darryl Goosen (over 500 parkruns), Danny Boy Oosthuizen (405 parkruns) and Gavin Oosthuizen (over 300 parkruns) joined the youngsters to celebrate Ebotse Parkrun’s 500th run.

“It makes me feel great. It’s a springboard for bigger things, like your first 10km or 21km races. It’s a good start for any would-be runner who wants to start doing road, trail or any type of running,” he said.

For Diane Leigh, who has clocked 250 runs and volunteered over 100 times, after her first run, she never looked back.

“I started five years ago. A friend said I must start running. It’s a bug that bit and a good habit for Saturday mornings. It’s also good to give back and ensure our people stay fit and healthy,” she said.