Dieter completes his 400th parkrun
Interested community members should register on the parkrun website before their first run and they only need to register once.
Dieter Meyer (70), also known as Delta Dieter, completed his 400th parkrun in Modderfontein on June 29.
“I usually take part in the runs at the Delta Parkrun. It is so addictive. I have ran in all nine provinces in South Africa and Swaziland as well,” said Dieter.
Born in Germany, Dieter said he has experienced SA’s best landscapes through the parkruns.
“I love travelling and I have seen places that are so beautiful; places that you can’t find on the map,” he said.
He is proud of his achievements.
“I have always loved sports because I come from a family where we all played sports. I love swimming as well.
Also read: Des (89) runs his 250th parkrun
“My bicycle has been off the trails for 10 years now due to a back injury I have. I have taken part in swimming triathlons,” said the runner.
Dieter has taken part in several marathons including the Comrades and the 947 Challenge.
The medals and trophies Dieter have acquired over the years were recently given to the Nelson Mandela Children’s Hospital and Edenvale Hospital, for children to use.
“I only kept the special medals,” said Dieter who credited his wife as his biggest supporter.
“She makes sure that my bag is packed and ready and she was there for every race in the first five years. I have many other good friends who I run with from all over South Africa such Jabulani Mkhize from Soweto who is currently number one on the most attended parkrun events,” he said.
According to Dieter, nine times Comrades Marathon winner, Bruce Fordyce, who is the CEO of Parkrun South Africa, is his mentor and a good friend.
The experienced runner gave words of advice for aspiring park runners.
“Just get up and join the run. If it’s winter get warm, bring your children and let them run too.
“Parkrun is the best way to start your weekend,” said Dieter.
Also read: Modderfontein Parkrun celebrates 6th birthday
Dieter has ran the 400 parkruns at 130 different venues across South Africa.
His future plan is to run at all the South African venues before his 500th parkrun which he predicts will be around May 2021.
Parkrun is a 5km run held in various parks every Saturday morning.
Interested community members can register on the parkrun website and they only need to register once.
For more information on the Modderfontein Reserve Parkrun, visit the Facebook page or go to www.parkrun.co.za
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