Community celebrates Gillooly’s Parkrun sixth birthday

We aim for more runners and community members to join the Parkrun and other Parkruns in the community.”

May 5, 2022

Stephan Lehman 1 minute read

Windsor Chan completed his 50th Parkrun.

Runners and community members gathered at Gillooly’s Farm when Gilloolys Parkrun celebrated its sixth birthday.
Celebrated on April 23, 387 runners took to the park as they ran the 5km route through Gillooly’s Farm.

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Besides being a day to celebrate the Parkrun’s birthday, the event provided community members with the opportunity to exercise together in a social setting.

Gauteng regional ambassador of Parkrun Chris Sutton said the aim of the day was to celebrate the Parkrun’s continued existence.

Sutton said because of Covid-19 and its regulations many community members thought Parkruns had stopped.

“We aim for more runners and community members to join the Parkrun and other Parkruns in the community.”

In 2016 when the inaugural event was held at Gillooly’s Farm, 975 runners participated. At the time it was the largest inaugural Parkrun in South Africa.

In 2019 Gillooly’s Farm was host to 2 389 runners.

Although restrictions have allowed runners to return to their Parkruns, Sutton said the number of attendees remains low.

Two athletes from Jeppe High School for Boys run for the finish line.

Despite this, he said the community spirit among runners is alive and well.

Bruce Fordyce, SA marathon, ultramarathon athlete and founder of Parkrun SA who enjoyed his time at Gillooly’s Farm, said he was thrilled to be back at the park.

Fordyce was one of the 975 runners who participated in the park’s inaugural Parkrun. He said although a few Parkruns were closed more have been started.

“We need to get the community back out at Parkruns,” said Fordyce.

Seen at the sixth birthday celebrations of Gillooly’s Parkrun were Vanessa Anderson, Sandy Roberts and Dean Kreusch.

Sutton said he would like to see the number of attendees return to that of pre-Covid.

“One of the nice things about Parkruns is the friendship and comradery developed between the participants,” highlighted Sutton.

“The volunteers are awesome too; they are very supportive and here to help whenever they can. There is a sense of belonging and family at Parkrun events.”

The first three runners to finish the Parkrun were:
• Daniel Quitata : 18:16.
• Farrell Miles: 18:18.
• Ian MacDonald: 18:44.
Windsor Chan completed his 50th Parkrun.