Members of the Victoria Lake Canoe Club (VLC) have found a fun way to strengthen their legs and improve their running fitness ahead of the FNB Dusi Canoe Marathon by participating in the Victoria Lake parkrun.
The parkrun takes place in the Germiston Lake park each Saturday, from 8am.
Parkruns are weekly, 5km timed runs, which take place on Saturday mornings around the world.
They are open to everyone, are free, safe and easy to take part in.
ALSO READ: Join the Victoria Lake Parkrun
These events take place in pleasant parkland surroundings and encourage people from all walks of life to participate, from walkers or those taking their first steps in running to Olympians, from juniors to those with more experience, all are welcome.
Since its inception in July 2016, the Victoria Lake parkrun has become a popular event in Germiston growing in numbers each week.
In past weeks parkrun participants have seen canoeists from VLC running the 5km parkrun with their canoes on their shoulders, which is no easy feat.
This has helped them prepare for the minimum of 15km portages (running with the canoe) over the three days of the Dusi, which will be held from February 27 to 29 in Pietermaritzburg.
The Dusi was started in 1951 and remains one of the biggest canoe races on the race calendar.
Some of the other big challenges paddlers will face include the Guinea Fowl portage, the severe Devil’s Cauldron, the Nqumeni Hill and the steep Burma Road.
Members using the parkrun for training include Anthony Welsh, RJ Greyling, Craig Johnston, Mike Merry, Rob Hamer, Ryan Booysen, Loveday Zondi, Richard Cele with brother Nhlanhla, Louis van Rooyen, Paul Nel, Katiso Hlahatsi and Nkosanati Ntombela.
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The paddlers are not the only athletes using the parkrun to train for a big event, VLC Athletics Club members Simon Treston, Sharon Storey and Nel are using the event to build up their strength for the Comrades Marathon.
The 90km race will take place on June 14.
It will be Storey’s first and she is excited.
“I always wanted to take part in the Comrades and this year, at 44 years old, I am finally doing it,” she said.
“I hope this shows people that you are really never too old to reach your dreams.”
Treston will be competing in his third Comrades and commented, “You don’t get weaker as you get older, you get stronger.”
For more information on the parkrun call Gerry Atkins on 071 595 6870.
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Contact the newsroom by emailing: Melissa Hart (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za or Leigh Hodgson (News Editor) leighh@caxton.co.za.
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