Xala proud of his parkrun idea
Thami Xala got bitten by the bug of establishing a parkrun in 2017, and has since then never looked back, and has no desire to ever do so.
Recalling his first passion with the idea of a parkrun, Xala says it was on June 16, 2017, when as a group of local residents in Rondebosch gathered to celebrate a commemorative day at the local park, and also had fun as families, that the idea of a parkrun was conceived.
“During the celebratory atmosphere, somebody suggested we stage a 3km distance run as part of the fun on that day”, said Xala.
He described the first 3km fun run as the beginning of his passion to establish the global concept of parkruns in his own backyard, closer to his community.
Today Xala prides himself as having established several other parkruns and walk facilities around Ekurhuleni, the first around the greengrocery shopping centre, around the plantations, near the Cambria cemetery.
“I will have to find eager people to train to take over and run this facility as I now have to oversee all these newly established facilities,” says Xala.
He says his dream is to see the establishment of well equipped and enclosed parkruns and walk facilities in every township.
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“The idea of a parkrun or walking facility is a great way of practically taking charge of your life, and changing your lifestyle. In the process, you meet new faces and make friends and share ideas with others. It is to give your body a break from the mundane, stressful life, and give it a good clean up and toning,” says Xala.
He says for a piece of advice, he approached former Comrades Marathon king, Bruce Fordyce, a known staunch supporter of the global parkrun-walk concept, a practice that is slowly taking root in South Africa.
Speaking of his telephonic encounter with Fordyce, Xala, he said the master runner helped him to get the idea of Rondebosch parkrun and walk facility off the ground.
“I explained to him my desire to establish a parkrun facility in our area. He immediately got me in touch with Chris Sutton, who arrived within a week one Saturday morning to inspect the area and to offer us a bit of advice,” recalls Xala.
Xala recalled it was by sheer stroke of luck that he and Bruce drove through a vast lush vegetable farm behind the Plantation Farm. The vegetable store also happens to be a popular shopping area for the neighbouring residential areas of Vosloorus, Katlehong North, Spruitview and Magagula Heights.
“We introduced ourselves to the owners of the farm and told him what we planned to do. He immediately fell in love with the idea and gave us his support to use 5km perimeter boundary surrounding the plantation,” says Xala.
But as the park-run craze began to be embraced by the communities in other areas, Xala aims to extend the concept by recruiting new members. He said his expansion plan is to ensure every township in Ekurhuleni establishes its own parkrun and walk facility for the benefit of its own communities and visitors.
“Parkruns and walk facilities are for people of all races and age groups and genders. You don’t have to be super fit to join to join. Just come as you are and start getting into the habit of changing your lifestyle and staying fit for an hour every Saturday morning,” says Xala.
On October 5, the Rondebosch parkrun-walk facility celebrated its second anniversary since its launch in 2017, and marked its 100th run, a feat Xala says makes him and his committee proud about their achievement.
