Saturday’s Spring Parkrun was a bitter-sweet event for the Newcastle parkrun family.

Parkrunners got creative with their bright, colourful spring-themed attire, giving the event what organiser Gwyneth Root termed a ‘springy kinda vibe’.

Participants donned flower garlands, hats adorned with butterflies and bees, and fun pool inflatables.

Even Superman ‘flew’ in, his bright-red cape trailing behind him in the wind.

Parkrunners remember a familiar face

Before the run got started, the parkrunners paid tribute to Keith Haskins, who passed away the previous Sunday (August 30) at the age of 83.

Haskins volunteered his time as Newcastle’s official parkrun photographer for a number of years, and will be sorely missed at the weekly event.

This week’s event drew 73 participants, despite the chilly weather and overcast skies – an indication of the thunderstorms that followed later that night into the next day.

Among the participants was German national Simon Heilers, who ran his first-ever parkrun in Newcastle and enjoyed it so much he intends to continue in Germany.

Well done to Colin Hill, who completed his 400th parkrun; and to Harris Lewis, who completed his 100th parkrun.

Junior runner MJ Venter made parkrun history by completing the course in just 17 minutes and 56 seconds, breaking the course record for Newcastle!

Root extended a heartfelt thank you to Terry and Liz Smith for volunteering their time as marshals.

Parkrun takes place every Saturday at 08:00 at Rooi Point Farm.

The start is at the farm entrance, across the road from Snips Bird Park. Participation is free and well-socialised dogs on a leash are welcome, one dog per handler.

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