‘Now for the next 250’
LONEHILL – On 7 September retiree Greg King took on his 250th parkrun, completing the 5km route in about 28 minutes and coming first in his age group.
Greg King may be retired, but that did not stop him from taking on a challenge for his 67th birthday.
On 7 September the birthday boy and Merrow Downs resident completed his 250th parkrun during an event in Lonehill with his wife and twin daughters there to cheer him on. King completed the 5km route in 00:28:02, coming 51st out of 514 parkrunners. Parkruns occur across the world and are a great chance to enjoy a free activity while engaging with your community.
“I was the fourth male runner [over the finish line] and first in my age category of 65 to 69,” he told the Fourways Review about the day. “It really was a great honour to chalk up my 250th. The race organisers pay respect to various milestones, namely, one’s 50th and 100th – 250’s are quite special.
“My wife and twin daughters came and joined, as well as many of my parkrun friends from other centres. Very chuffed!”
King is the second person to reach his 250th parkrun during a Lonehill event, which started out near Crawford College and was well attended even though there was a slight chill in the morning area that day. He competes in about 48 parkruns per annum. Although King has been running for years (having already taken on the Comrades five times, the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon five times and numerous marathons over the years), he didn’t get into parkruns until just before he retired.
“While still living in Bryanston back in 2014, I was taking a morning walk with my dog along the Braamfontein Spruit. Next minute, these dozens of runners come bearing forth along the path.
“I made some inquiries and was told that this was the Bryanston parkrun and explained how to register online, which I duly did and pitched up for my first run the next week which I did in something like 35 minutes.
“The bug had bitten and I returned each week thereafter, with my times getting even better.”
King is thankful for the joy of parkrun and had many people to thank for the experience.
“A huge shout-out to the whole parkrun community for making this possible. To Paul Sinton-Hewitt for founding this amazing concept; to Bruce Fordyce and his hard-working SA team for facilitating the establishment, development & growth of parkrun in SA; to regional director Helen Holyoak; to the various race directors Brynn Janeke, Calvin Brown and Errol Duffet; to the weekly volunteers that keep the show ticking over; and to all the enthusiastic parkrunners that are always incredibly encouraging – a huge vote of thanks. You guys are all truly amazing.
“Now for the next 250!”
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