Parkrun proposal leaves hundreds cheering love at first finish line
Mark Wilson stole hearts when he dropped to one knee and proposed to his soulmate, Tania Serfontein, amidst cheers from hundreds of parkrunners at Lonehill.
Mark Wilson’s heart beat faster with every step – not just for the finish line but also for the love that awaited him, courtesy of parkrun’s magical matchmaking.
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After he approached his 400th parkrun milestone on October 19, Wilson took a moment with Fourways Review to recount his running journey, which ultimately changed his romantic relationship status.
He said his parkrun adventure began in 2014 when he stumbled upon an advert for the Lonehill parkrun. He thought, “Why not? 5km should be good for me.”
Little did he know, this habit would lead him to meet his soulmate, Tania Serfontein, an avid parkrunner with 104 different parkruns under her belt.
“Her face became familiar, and we’d smile shyly at each other,” Wilson recalled. He said their first conversation was at Gracepoint parkrun in Glenferness, and the rest, as they say, is history.
Serfontein tracked Wilson down on Facebook, and their first date sealed their fate. Wilson proposed to Serfontein at Lonehill parkrun, surrounded by over 300 people.
“It was quite nerve wracking, saying my small speech and then asking her in front of all of them. She was surprised, shocked even. Luckily, she said yes!”
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He said parkruns have been instrumental in their relationship. He is also grateful that everyone has been very happy for them and showering them with love. They now volunteer regularly, giving back to the community that brought them together.
Wilson said his physical and mental well-being have very much improved because of the parkrun.
“It’s amazing. No idea what I’d do on a Saturday morning without it.” Serfontein, too, shares his passion, balancing parkrun with marathon training. Wilson said he looks forward to many parkruns, forever more with his fiancée.
“Milestones keep you going, motivated. The big one is 500. Hopefully in two years.”
He said their honeymoon plans include parkruns in Namibia and South Africa. “We will do parkrun for as long as it exists. Parkrun is very much part of our lives.”
Serfontein, who is also one of the Lonehill parkrun’s run directors, has done 271 parkruns and volunteered 45 times.
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