Plenty to celebrate as Homestead Parkrun turns a year old
Packed around a gazebo, participants and volunteers joyfully shared cake and other goodies to celebrate the milestone.
The Homestead Dam Parkrun recently celebrated its first birthday.
Event director Katerina Taxer said parkruns are not only about fitness, but about people.
“I am very passionate about people in general and believe fully in unity and teamwork, which is what we have here.
“No matter who comes along, they become a part of our family at Homestead Parkrun.
“I am always encouraging the runners and the volunteers encourage the runners; we all encourage and boost each other.”
At the beginning of the year, Homestead and Atlasville parkruns came together for an event called the New Year Double Run.
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This event had the biggest attendance that Homestead has seen since the parkrun opened in February last year, drawing a total of 849 runners.
“A big thanks to Graham Vollmer and Gary Jackson as without their help this event never would have been possible,” said Taxer.
Homestead has many ways of making a Saturday run fun, such as:
• They hosted a Valentine’s fun run. Everyone dressed in red and brought dog food along in aid of the Benoni SPCA.
• Pacers. If you’re trying to keep a time of 30 minutes while running, or less, keep up with the pacers. They wear vests that say pacers on the back so it is easy to spot them. Homestead started the pacer idea and many others have now followed suit.
• Running in the rain. Most parkruns go on in the rain and the only time they insist on stopping is when there is lightning. “We have an app on our phones on which we monitor lightning within a 10km radius,” said Taxer.
• The bell. Those who run their best times or beat their old times get to ring the bell. “It’s the most exciting thing for everyone to experience; it’s an achievement that everyone gets joy out of,” said Taxer.
• Earlier this year, they had a tutu fun run.
• Honouring and thanking the volunteers. After volunteers have been a part of Homestead for 25 parkruns they are personally thanked and honoured. “Without our volunteers we would be lost. They are the real life savers, they come whether it’s raining or not and they really just put every effort in to keep everyone safe and happy,” she said.
• The 50, 100 and 250 milestones. Once you have run a certain amount of parkruns, you are honoured for your achievement and get to celebrate it with the Homestead family.
• Wheelchair friendly. A three-legged dog named Lily happily runs with her wheelchair at all the parkruns she attends.
“The one Saturday a family saw our parkrun on the go from the highway then drove until they found us and joined the run – even the kids!” said Taxer.
“Parkruns are for everyone.
“You can walk or run in good time, it all depends on you, but it’s fun and who doesn’t want to have fun while exercising?”
To find your nearest parkrun and register go to www.parkrun.co.za
