Darryl Goosen (48), of Farrarmere, completed his 400th parkrun at Ebotse on February 8 and Jan Dries (57), of Atlasville, his 300th.
Despite the wet and gloomy weather the event was packed with runners and volunteers who celebrated this milestone with Jan and Darryl.
“We run the parkruns to not only stay fit, but to also keep the ticker going,” said Goosen.
“We meet up with our friends – old, young and new – and everyone just gathers to run and have fun.”
Goosen and Dries are competitive runners. Goosen is a member for Benoni Northerns Athletics Club and Dries, who is not a member of any running club anymore, already ran four Comrades Marathons and 29 other marathons.
ALSO READ:
Raising funds for karate dream is going well
They both enjoy their running. It is and always has been a big part of their lives.
“I love to run; running is a part of my every day life,” said Dries.
Goosen has run 37 different parkruns and Dries 50, in and around the East Rand.
When asked what their time was when they ran their first parkrun versus their current finishing time, both said time is not important. They do it for the fun and for fitness.
“The Ebotse Parkrun on Saturday was a bit of a big swim, but we ran nice and slow and still had tons of fun despite the weather,” said Goosen.
“It was nice to be with friends – no pressure – and to spend time with the people close to you and be with the volunteers who came out to support us in this rain,” said Dries.
Apparently it takes about eight years to reach your 400th parkrun.
In June, the Ebotse Parkrun will turn eight years old.
ALSO READ:
Why the right running shoes matter
It is the third parkrun Bruce Fordyce, Iain Morshead and Gary Jackson started in South Africa.
“We would like to thank the Ebotse Estate for allowing us to use their grounds, the organisers for making this all possible and the volunteers for always supporting us, even in the cold and rain by still providing the snacks for the celebration we had on the day,” said Goosen.
To register for a parkrun go to www.parkrun.co.za
