Noordwyk Parkrun marks Autism Awareness Month with run

In honour of Autism Awareness Month, members of the Noordwyk Parkrun came together to raise awareness about autism by wearing blue and educating one another about the spectrum disorder.

Autism is a neurodevelopmental condition that affects people’s communication skills, social interactions and behavioural patterns, meaning people with autism process information different to people living without it.

Read more: Resident finds his way back to his love of running all because of parkrun

About 140 participants ran or walked the 5km course despite the cold and wet weather. One of the participants handed out fridge magnets and pamphlets that had information about autism to the other runners.

Noordwyk Parkrun member and volunteer Patricia Nementzik explained how the awareness run came about.

Also read: Everything you need to know about service, guide and autism support dogs

“Asanda [Magalela], who is a member of the parkrun and mom of an autistic child, asked if we would like to host an event to raise awareness since it is Autism Month. We really loved the idea, and people showed up and wore the colour blue and were happy with receiving the pamphlets and magnets,” said Nementzik.

Magalela expressed how it felt to see the Noordwyk Parkrun community come together to support autism awareness.

“From the onset, communicating with the Noordwyk Parkrun community was warm and welcoming. They even went the extra mile by getting balloons and adding those special touches. The feeling was overwhelming because of the support and love they always give, but that’s #TheRunningFamily for you.

“The community came in numbers despite the weather, showing up in blue or with a touch of blue. It reminded me that awareness isn’t just talk; it’s people turning up, rain or shine, to say we see you and we’re with you.”

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