THE Amanzimtoti parkrun marked its 10th anniversary with a run with 170 participants which took place in splendid weather on August 10.
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The first Amanzimtoti parkrun, which attracted 195 participants, was held on August 2, 2014, under the leadership of Claudine Farr. The event included parkrun regional country manager Gill Fordyce and current president Bruce Fordyce. Alan Payne, who is the regional ambassador for the KwaZulu-Natal Coastal Region said it was the fifth parkrun to launch in KwaZulu-Natal and the 969th worldwide.
“Initially, the Amanzimtoti parkrun, with its beach section, was dubbed the toughest of the five events in the province. This reputation was soon overshadowed by the launch of the Thousand Hills parkrun, now considered the most challenging in the region. Nevertheless, the Amanzimtoti parkrun still presents a tough challenge, especially when the tide is high and the sand is soft. But the stunning views and welcoming atmosphere make it all worthwhile,” said Payne.
Farr was succeeded by Chantelle Rip, followed by Kirk Holdsworth. Currently, John Nieuwoudt and Roy Baijnath share the role of event director, but Nieuwoudt will be stepping down at the end of August due to personal commitments.
The events are entirely managed by volunteers who generously give of their time to this global activity, which is enjoyed by participants in 22 countries every Saturday morning. With a barcode, a member can take part in any event worldwide.
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