Bruce Fordyce to open Heidelberg SilverOaks Parkrun

Once you have successfully registered for free as a participant, a unique barcode will be sent to you by email.

Volunteers at Silver Oaks parkrun Tanya du Randt, Dawie de Villiers, Yvette Sandilands (organiser of the children’s cross country running), Cheryl Burgess and Roland du Plesiss (Sedibeng parkrun ambassador) invite all runners to join them on Dember 1 for the opening of their parkrun.

HEIDELBERG – Local joggers and fitness fanatics alike will be delighted to know that Heidelberg will kick off the festive season with its first SilverOaks Parkrun.

Parkrun is a collection of five-kilometre running events which takes place every Saturday. Comrades legend Bruce Fordyce will open SilverOaks’ parkrun at 08:00 on December 1 at 392 Houtpoort in Rensburg at SilverOaks Montessori School.

The aim is to encourage people of all ability, age and race to take part. Anyone from walkers to those taking their first steps towards running a marathon, are welcome to register.

Once you have successfully registered as a participant, a unique barcode will be sent to you by email. Participants are reminded to bring their barcodes to each event in order for organisers to capture their race times.

Local runners are excited about the parkrun and HERAUT spoke to a few.

“This is a positive initiative to open parkrun. It’s in a safe environment and I feel this offers a safe solution to parents and children who love to run. I will also use the facility because of the safe environment,” Mari Swart (local swim instructor) said.

Marie Pieterse says parkrun offers her as runner a safe environment to run. She always have to find other runners to join her as it is too dangerous to run alone. She has registered as a runner on parkrun’s website.

Willem Sprong (chairman of Afriforum Heidelberg ) is also a regular runner.

Willem Sprong says parkrun offers a healthy outlook for families and may also be a social affair where friends meet up. He recommends athletes to register for parkrun.

“Parkrun is a good idea which keeps community athletes safe. It is a social affair where friends and family can compete on Saturday mornings and maintain a healthy outlook on life. I’m in favour of parkrun and will definitely encourage others to participate,” Sprong said.

Parkrun was an event founded by Paul Sinton-Hewitt in October 2004 at Bushy Park in London, England. He was born in Zimbabwe and went to Potchefstroom High School for Boys as a boarder in South Africa.
He founded parkrun because he wanted to continue to spend time with his running friends.

The event directors for Silver Oaks parkrun are Cheryl Burgess and Tanya du Randt and they have worked hard since May to get the parkrun on the map.

To get involved as a volunteer, write to silveroakshelpers@parkrun.com.

To register and get all the information on this parkrun visit https://www.parkrun.co.za/silveroaks/.