Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 58, May 2014 | Page 35

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parkrun SA
Join the friendly, free 8am Saturday
morning 5km in your area!
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rkruns in yo
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Sunrise-On-Sea parkrun, East London
www.parkrun.co.za/sunriseonsea
www.facebook.com/
Sunriseonseaparkrun

Images: Gill Fordyce & Danie Bessinger

Sunrise-on-Sea was the seventh parkrun in the country and
the second to start in the East London area. We’ve grown
from humble beginnings to an event that is drawing in
excess of 150 parkrunners each Saturday. There are now
three parkruns in East London (with Nahoon Point and
Kidds Beach), and considering our small population, we’re
enjoying massive support from our locals! The camaraderie
and spirit is healthy. Our locals arrive come rain or shine.
The gees has really caught the imagination of people –
some who never thought they’d get off their couches and
change their lifestyle. It’s our privilege to witness people
changing from couch potatoes into fit and happy individuals!
As one of our Sunrise-On-Sea parkrunners wrote: “Apart
from being a great way to get fit, it’s a super social event!
We got to know each other and it became like a whole
family affair. You may think you’re not a runner, but if you
can walk, you can do it! Start by volunteering. It will help
you gather the guts to participate and it’s a great way to
meet people!”
This is what makes parkrun special – not forgetting the
many volunteers who come out offering their assistance.
You will always have company to make the 5km over beach,
farmland and dam walls more enjoyable.
– Danie Bessinger

Rietvlei parkrun, Johannesburg South
www.facebook.com/Rietvlei.Parkrun
Shawn and Toni Mackrell had a vision of bringing parkrun to
Johannesburg South, specifically to Rietvlei Zoo Farm because
of its safe and secure open spaces, natural wetlands, tranquil
setting, and its recreational facilities. With the help of Bruce
and Gill Fordyce and many volunteers, Rietvlei parkrun started
on 30 November 2013 with just 186 parkrunners. Little did we
expect it to grow to over 3500 registered parkrunners in five
months, averaging over 500 parkrunners every week, including
participants from 58 athletics clubs! Not to mention 2442 new
PBs!
With a coffee shop, restaurant, kids’ activities, picnic areas
and farmyard animals, Rietvlei Zoo Farm offers many outdoor
activities for families. It’s become a tradition for many to meet
for breakfast and a chat at the coffee shop afterwards. We see
families making their weekly outing, serious runners trying to
beat their PB and walkers progressing from walking to running.
We also welcome dog owners. There are many community
members who have rekindled friendships, while new friends are
made every week!

TATS
parkrun SA S
Number of parkruns: 28
Number of events: 1252
Number of active runners: 43 166
Number of individual runs: 201 345
Total distance covered: 1 006 725km
Total run time: 15 years, 34 days, 11
hours, 26 minutes, 55 seconds
*Last updated 15 April

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