Atholl parkrun celebrates four years

There were celebrations all around as the Atholl parkrun celebrated its fourth birthday with 165 of its closest friends.

About 165 people ran, jogged and walked the course on March 5 to commemorate the occasion.

Many were participating for the first time while others recorded their own personal bests, one participant ran her 300th parkrun while another completed his 294th event – it was a momentous occasion all around.

According to race director Jean Baillie, celebrating four years of the Atholl parkrun was such an amazing achievement which she and the volunteers were immensely proud of.

“I started Atholl parkrun to bring the community into the park and resuscitate it from the desolate space it once was.

“I am privileged to have a group of dedicated volunteers who turn up every Saturday no matter the weather to ensure that the event takes place.”

Baillie noted that Atholl’s inaugural event was in 2018, hosting 805 participants.

“After the initial fanfare we settled down to an average of approximately 300 people per week prior to the Covid-19 shutdown.”

The parkrun reopened at the end of October last year with a new route due to the changes in the park and an attendance of around 100 participants per week.

Baillie added that she and the team look forward to helping new participants and celebrating the many milestones that are sure to come.

Details: www.parkrun.co.za/atholl

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