Parkrun for animal welfare

The Len Rutter Park was filled with runners dressed in colourful sportswear during the weekly Roodepoort parkrun on June 17.

The well-known parkrun was in full swing again where 357 participants, with 33 first-time runners also came together for a good cause. Just over 40 participants also improved their personal best times. The event was further made possible by 24 volunteers.

In addition to helping people stay fit, it was also in support of animal welfare. Rob and Lynne Stevens from Community Led Animal Welfare attended with their furry friends Amber and Cassy.

Many showed their support by donating dog food and other necessities for the furry friends. The initiative was inspired by a former favourite at the parkrun, Kandas, the giant schnauzer.

“The name comes from the movie Kiepie en Kandas from 1981. It was filmed at Sonop Men’s Residence at the University of Pretoria. My son-in-law was at the res and Kandas was the pet of the guys from Noord-Wes in Sonop. Kandas was very gentle and loved by everyone who knew him. Children at parkruns loved to come and say hello and feel his fur. He is now replaced in our lives by Zamalek, a Bouvier des Flandres [from Belgium],” said Quinton Quait, Kandas’ owner.

Quinton explained once over Christmas Kandas came to live with the Quait family for two weeks and just never left. He then started doing the parkrun and took Kandas with him. In 2019 they did their 200th parkrun over the Christmas season. In May 2020 Kandas sadly passed away.

In his honour, Quinton asked to do a bark run to help animals in need. He aims to make it a yearly event in the month of May. The official bark run this year will be on June 24.