Maria Vermaak (250 parkruns) and Wilma van der Schoor (100 times of volunteering) said they are passionate about the parkrun.
Over 300 people came out from across Boksburg and surrounding areas to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Boksburg parkrun.
During the event, which was marked with balloons and cupcakes, runners, walkers and joggers lined up on the start line in the open field outside the Boksburg City Stadium to partake in the free weekly 5km event.
Adults, children and even dogs took part in the celebration.
Here are some of the people who celebrated the special parkrun in Boksburg as the weekly event marked its 10th anniversary.
The event saw one of the young runners, Thabiso Mkhaliphi (15) of Elspark, completing his 12th 5km run in 19:57. The runners are timed, with participants collecting a token at the end which is used to give them their time.
“I love running and I also use the opportunity provided by the parkrun to practice for my school cross-country competitions,” said an excited Thabiso.
Boksburg parkrun’s Brenda Steenkamp with a runner.
Event organisers said it’s amazing to see hundreds of people from across town running, walking and volunteering at parkrun events.
UK’s Dave Funnell took part in the Boksburg parkrun event. He was excited to be part of the celebration as he was part of the first-ever Boksburg parkrun 10 years ago.
First-timer Jeanette Melody Frost of Witfield and her neighbour, Esteslle Lindeque, who was doing her eighth parkrun, were the last to finish the physical challenge.Katlego Ramakoae (8) also participated in the special parkrun.Thabiso Mkhaliphi (15), of Elspark, completed his 12th 5km run in 19:57.Michelle van Heerden and Lindy Smith regularly take part in the weekly run.
A trip back in time
According to the parkrun’s volunteer co-ordinator, Brenda Steenkamp, since its inception on May 16, 2015, the local parkrun has registered approximately 4000 participants.
“Back in the day, we used to, on average, have over 600 people participating in our weekly events on Saturdays. However, the number went down to next to zero when Covid-19 hit our shores, because of the virus and other related disruptions.”
Down but not out
“After the lockdown was eased, the number started to gradually grow from less than 100 people to 200 and now we have over 300 people walking, running and jogging every Saturday. And we are still growing strong. We also have people volunteering. It’s amazing.”
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Nikita (1) said she enjoyed her 39th parkrun at the Boksburg Stadium.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Boksburg Parkrun celebrates its 10th anniversary after growing from a few participants to thousands of registered members.
Join the fun
Steenkamp has called on more people to take part in in their local parkrun and reap the benefits, including health and fitness.
“It’s a free, weekly 5km exercise open to anyone.”
Apart from the fun that comes with the parkrun, many participants said they run for health and fitness, and the initiative helps them to remain physically active.
“After signing up and getting up and moving, participants get motivated by the benefits and their achievements, which make them want to come back week after week.”
According to parkrun’s official website, parkrun started back in 2004 when 13 runners and five volunteers got together on a blustery day in the UK, and it’s now an international family of over ten million parkrunners (and counting).
