SINCE the beginning of May when the country went into lockdown level 4, people have been keen to get out of their homes, go for a run, or walk and enjoy some healthy exercise within the the permitted five kilometre radius of their dwellings between the hours of 6am and 9am.
Running in their yards
This was also the case in various parts of Queensburgh where members of the Queensburgh Harriers, who had previously been running within their own yards, were at last able to venture out past their boundary gates.
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“We used to do laps of our driveway to get some distance running in,” laughed Deon Scheepers, one of the runners who, along with others who live in his street, agreed to meet up with the Queensburgh News, just after 6am on a fresh Thursday the week before the May edition of the paper went into production so we could catch some “action shots” of them heading out for their daily allowed run.
Regulations followed
Of course, all the necessary rules regarding social distancing, no group running or organised runs and the wearing of face-masks while out of their own yards, had to be followed to ensure the safety of runners and those staying at home who might later interact with the runners returning from their exercise.
The runners donned their Harriers colours for the photograph.
Julie Vorster, secretary for Queensburgh Harriers Athletics Club, who helped to set up the photo, said she has been pleased to see such an increase in running in the community since the rules allowed people to begin running within a 5km radius of their home.
“I have noticed far more people running than ever before,” she said.
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However, she did admit that might be due to the short window of opportunity between 6am to 9am each morning resulting in everyone out at the same time.
“Still, there are people I have seen posting about running on social media who have never run before, so I am hoping they will come and join the club when we get to the level which allows organised club activities.”
Vorster said anyone who might be interested to find out how to get involved in Queensburgh Harriers can contact her via email at juliecolibri@telkomsa.net
“The club is also on Facebook under the name Queensburgh Harriers Athletic Club, she said. “Perhaps they would like to make contact with other members through that platform and find out about how to best begin a running schedule and pick up any advice for novices that way.”
At the moment no one knows if Queensburgh Harrier’s ever popular Mineshaft race will go ahead in September as usual, 2020 will be it’s 40th year. In the meantime relive last year’s race in the link below.
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