Ruimsig parkrun back with a bang as it restarts with challenging new route

All fresh beginnings are greeted with new challenges.

After a lengthy hiatus, the Ruimsig edition of parkrun has reopened their gates. With a new route to test regulars, newbies or tourists, the picturesque valley around Ruimsig Stadium is alive again. Only two runs into the new route, event director Carin van der Schyf is pleased to report that enthusiasm for the fresh alteration is high with positive feedback all round.

Ruimsig is blessed with wide open spaces and the course overflows with best nature has to offer, as well as a few of the challenges. “We had a problem with stagnant water on the course, due to the heavy rains that we had during the summer. We therefore had to change the course to exclude the affected areas. Luckily the huge area around the stadium made it possible for us to alter the route,” explained Carin, who has overseen Ruimsig parkrun since January 2020.

An undulating course begins near the embankment behind the main grandstand of Ruimsig Stadium, with the route then snaking through trail paths, up the hill toward the edge of the quarry. It then winds down to the bottom of Setperk Road before an uphill battle to the finish back near the stadium. “The new route is not easy, but it is doable. Both the up and downhills make an interesting and challenging combination,” she advised.

On the first weekend back, Jaden de Wet clocked the best time with a blistering 18 minutes and 47 second time around the 5km course. The second lap of the new route was on July 2 after the previous weekend was cancelled due to weather, Corné de Fouw being quickest with a time of 18 minutes and 21 seconds.

Reminding runners to strap on their barcodes, Carin encouraged, “Exercise is good for both body and mind. Parkrun is a very good point to start an exercise regime as there are both runners and walkers, and it is free of charge. It is an open-air event, where one can be close to nature.”