Meet an avid park runner, Michael Hove
ROBINDALE – Michal Hove's passion for running developed when his wife encouraged him to run around the block.
An avid park runner, Michael Hove, has grown to engrain himself with parkruns since 2012 and has never looked back.
The runner from Robindale is a member of the Delta Park parkrun and he truly enjoys every Saturday which is more valuable among all his other running achievements. “I have done 352 parkruns with 327 at Delta (93%) as well as 203 volunteering roles,” he said.
While the numbers seem a lot, his motivation has always been to enjoy each and every moment he spends in the park. “Observing how nature is a blessing as the park scenery changes from the cosmos blossoming in April to frosty winter in June and dry and dusty August, and regeneration come November of each year,” he said.
Hove started running while at school, at the time he would participate on running activities just for fun.
The passion fuelled in January 2012 as part of New Year’s resolutions that his wife, Fadzani, encouraged him to start running around the block.
He subsequently shared the story with his close friend and they kept encouraging each other. “Well, 2012 was just a year of discovering the running craze, with the first race being 6 October 2012 at Delta Park parkrun, then Nike We Run Jozi, the next day (10km). We eventually formed Legends Athletic Club in 2013 and I have never looked back since.”
From parkruns he developed an interest in becoming a true Comrades runner after he watched both the 2012 and 2013 editions on TV. “I participated in various races and have six Comrades Marathon and six Two Oceans Marathon medals from 2014 to date. My favourite local races include Pirates Half-Marathon, Randburg Harriers Valentine’s 10km, RAC Tough One (of which I have completed eight consecutive runs).”
Hove said his motivation comes from volunteering and seeing other people finish their daily runs and achieve their dreams and goals. There is a sense of connectedness and humanness in that. While he will be turning 40 this year, his Vitality age is three years younger and that also keeps him motivated. “All it takes to run, walk or jog is a commitment of 30 minutes daily. You will be amazed at what that does to one’s body, mindset, and life in general.”
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