GALLERY: Driving the parkrun concept
On June 16, 2017, Xala and a group of local residents in Rondebosch got together to celebrate the day at the local park and have some fun as families.
Thami Xala was bitten by the parkrun bug in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since.
On June 16, 2017, Xala and a group of local residents in Rondebosch got together to celebrate the day at the local park and have some fun as families.
“During the celebratory atmosphere, somebody suggested we stage a 3km run as part of fun,” explained Xala.
Xala then decided to bring the international concept of parkruns to his own backyard.
He established his first parkrun at the Plantation Farm Stores near the Cambria cemetery and has since established several other parkrun facilities around Ekurhuleni.
“I will have to find eager people that I train to take over and run this facility as I now have to oversee all these newly established facilities,” said Xala, adding that his dream is to see a well-equipped and enclosed parkrun facility in every township.
“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 different types of people and share ideas with others and make friends at the same time.
“It is a way to, once in a while, give your body a break from the mundane, stressful life and give it a good clean-up and toning.” Xala approached marathon-running legend Bruce Fordyce, a staunch supporter of parkruns, for advice.
Fordyce helped him set up the Rondebosch parkrun and walk facility.
“After we spoke on the phone and I explained to him my desire to establish a parkrun facility in our area, he immediately put me in touch with a gentleman by the name of Chris Sutton, who arrived here within a week to inspect the area and advise us on our needs,” recalled Xala.
Xala said it was sheer luck that he and Fordyce drove through an open gate which led them to a vast lush vegetable plantation behind the popular Plantation Farm vegetable store across the road from the Cambria cemetery.
The store also happened to be a popular shopping spot for residents of neighbouring residential areas, including Vosloorus, Katlehong North, Spruitview and as far as Magagula Heights for their fresh farm vegetables.
“We introduced ourselves to the owners of the farm and we told him what we were planning to do and he immediately fell in love with the idea and gave us his support to use the 5km perimeter boundary surrounding the plantation,” explained Xala.
Xala is looking at growing the concept by recruiting new members.
“Parkrun and walk facilities are for people of all races and age groups and genders. You don’t have to be super fit to join. Just come as you are and start getting into the habit of changing your lifestyle and staying fit for just an hour every Saturday morning,” said Xala.
On October 5 the Rondebosch parkrun and walk facility celebrated its second anniversary since it was launched in 2017 and marked its 100th run.
Xala and his committee were proud of their feat of establishing such a facility for people from around Ekurhueni.
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