POLOKWANE – Over the past five years the Parkrun has become an important date on the calendar for runners, walkers and strollers.
Just before their fifth birthday, the lockdown was announced, leaving participants stranded. Park runners and their dogs started getting edgy as they did not have the opportunity to be active.
The organisers of Parkrun found various ways to keep their members engaged and recently launched the (No)Parkrun.
Review spoke to Gayle Leach, event ambassador, to find out more about this virtual run. “First of all, you need to already be registered on the Parkrun website where you received your bar code. Then, following the lockdown guidelines of social distancing and not running in big groups, you can participate by running, jogging or walking 5km. When done the runner can use any device to record the distance and time. It is not linked to the Parkrun and therefore does not count towards your runs.”
For those who want to participate but find the winter mornings a bit chilly, with the virtual Parkrun you can take part any day of the week, any time between 06:00 and 18:00.
“We prefer participants to not use the Parkrun course and rather run in their neighbourhoods. You can run everyday and record your best time. Vitality members who have a smart watch linked to their vitality profile, will also receive points.”
