Have you done your parkrun yet?
The phenomenon of parkrun has taken South Africa by storm. Brought to South Africa by running legend, Bruce Fordyce, the past years have seen these Saturday morning park-run events spring up around the country. There are now 111 parkrun locations around South Africa with new venues opening every few weeks. Three years ago, Parys parkrun …
The phenomenon of parkrun has taken South Africa by storm. Brought to South Africa by running legend, Bruce Fordyce, the past years have seen these Saturday morning park-run events spring up around the country. There are now 111 parkrun locations around South Africa with new venues opening every few weeks.
Three years ago, Parys parkrun opened and, while the event attracts many visitors, local numbers have steadily increased. As a small-field event, Parys is approaching its 150th consecutive event milestone.
Parkrun events are open to everyone young, old, fast, slow, runners and walkers. Every parkrun course is 5 km in distance and events are held at 08:00 every Saturday morning. Participation is free and registered parkrunners receive an email after every event that includes their time, the number of parkruns completed and age category position.
After 10 parkruns, children are awarded a Club 10 certificate, signed by Bruce Fordyce and, at the significant milestones of 50 and 100 parkruns completed, parkrunners receive special running tees. Volunteers are also acknowledged and they receive purple volunteer tees on reaching their 25th volunteer milestone.
Even though the event is called ‘parkrun’, walkers make up the majority of the participants.
Parys also welcomes participants pushing baby joggers as well as dogs (one dog per person and dogs must be on a leash at all times).
The Parys parkrun starts from Mimosa Gardens (entrance at the corner of Kruis and Boom streets) at 08:00. Please arrive 10 minutes before the start.
There is no need to book or register. Just arrive. Visit Parys parkrun on Facebook at www.facebook.com/paryspark-run, and the page on the parkrun website at www.parkrun.co.za/parys.