A decade ago, Jo Claassen , a mother of two young children, began a journey to regain her post-pregnancy fitness.

Like many parents, she sought a sustainable way to counter the physical demands of raising a family.

Her solution arrived in the form of a suggestion: Parkrun.

Hesitant but determined, Jo participated in the third-ever Grey Goose ParkRun. While she initially walked much of the 5km route, her first finish time of 30:55 was a testament to her resolve.

This initial experience sparked a passion, and she became a regular participant.

Through consistent effort, her times gradually improved, significantly aiding her in achieving her goals to regain fitness and slim down.

The majority of her parkruns were completed at the Grey Goose course until its relocation to its current home at Rooipoint Farm, adjacent to Snips Birdpark.

While the new, more technical farm track terrain has presented a different kind of challenge, preventing her from matching her personal best set on Greygoose’s paved paths, Jo’s commitment never wavered.

Her dedication to running expanded beyond parkrun.

In 2019, she successfully completed her first Comrades Marathon, an incredible achievement made even more remarkable as she overcame shin splints after a medically advised seven-week rest period prior to the race.

After the pandemic hiatus of 2020/2021, she returned to complete the Comrades again from 2023 through 2025.

Her long-term goal is to earn her tenth Comrades medal, by which time she also expects to have nearly 500 parkruns.

For Jo, the appeal of parkrun lies in its community and personal challenge.

She enjoys the social connections and the simple pleasure of being outdoors.

“I put in my earphones, listen to music, and just run,” she says, noting the more relaxed rules compared to formal marathons. “Parkrun is really just a challenge with yourself. The friendly rivalries are great for motivation, but it’s not a race.”

Looking ahead, Jo has set her sights on new personal records.

She is targeting a sub-3:40 finish at the Kaapsehoop Marathon in Nelspruit and plans to train for another run in the Two Oceans Marathon.

Her athletic pursuits also include cycling, having previously participated in the Amashova race from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, which her group approached as a multi-day touring event, riding from Newcastle to Pietermaritzburg over two days to go to the race.

Outside of running, Jo manages a coffee shop and garden centre in Hutton Heights.

Saturdays have become a unique blend of fitness and business, as she often rushes from Parkrun to prepare for the influx of fellow runners craving coffee and cake.

“Maybe that’s why I run so fast,” she joked, “to make sure I’m prepared for the Parkrun coffee crowd.”

Her greatest pride, however, is reserved for her family. She beams when speaking of her two children.

Her son, who arrived prematurely via emergency C-section, just finished matric last year.

Her daughter, a talented singer who excelled in a recent Eisteddfod, will begin high school next year.

For anyone considering their first Parkrun, Jo’s advice is simple: “Just show up. It doesn’t matter about time; you can run, jog, or walk. There is no time to beat but your own, and even that doesn’t matter. You do it at your pace.”

She emphasises the event’s inclusivity, welcoming participants from young children to those in their 70s and 80s, all supported by volunteers and free to enter.

“You sign up online, get a barcode, and just show up. Friendly faces will welcome you, and the more you attend, the more fun it becomes.”

Inspired by her story and her invitation to join a fun run later in the afternoon, I watched Jo effortlessly pull away into the distance.

While I finished well behind her on the day, her journey is a powerful motivation. One day, I, too, hope to reach the milestone of 250 parkruns.

But for now, we celebrate Jo’s incredible achievement. Congratulations on 250 runs—here’s to the next 250!

ALSO READ: Newcastle’s Jo Claassen reflects on completing the beautiful but challenging Kaapsehoop Marathon

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