Parkrun unveils new The Reeds route

The Park run organisation is set to open its brand new Tshwane run on Saturday, October 8, at The Reeds.

Were you to attend this inaugural event, chances are you may well run into SA founder of the Parkrun organisation and veteran of the famous Comrades marathon, Bruce Fordyce.

The organiser of this new route, Frikkie Roothman, told Rekord that they were happy to add The Reeds to the list of many parkruns they have in the country.

“This parkrun is the newest addition to the 195 routes around the country,” Roothman said.

He further said the event was significant because it would be the first time The Reeds community would have their own parkrun in the area.

Roothman said everyone was allowed to participate as it is free.

“Everyone qualify, it is totally free and it’s there to promote fitness and well-being. People who aren’t physically able to run or walk 5km can become a volunteer to help with the event,” he added.

Roothman said he had his first inaugural run in 2018 in Vredendal in the Western Cape Namaqua Land while on holiday. His love for running took root and he has 78 parkruns in different locations around the country behind his name.

“The bulk thereof was at the Valhalla parkrun where I ran my personal best of 26 minutes, 37 seconds and became a volunteer.”

The current South African parkrun record is 14 minutes and two seconds.

He concluded by saying the parkruns were done both for fitness and health reasons. Roothman said the runs depend on the number of volunteers needed to assist with the administration and operation level.

“I volunteer so that others can get the opportunity to come and run or walk to improve their fitness and health. I met someone at Valhalla that did not know he had a heart condition. Because he started running parkruns, he realised that something was wrong, went to a doctor, got diagnosed and tested. He says that park run saved his life.”

Parkruns are free, weekly community events all around the world. Parkrun events are 5km and take place on Saturday mornings.

It requires an easy registration process where you go on their webpage at www.parkrun.co.za, finish the registration and print your personal parkrun barcode ID.

Then on a Saturday morning, you go to one of the many parkrun events, which starts at 08:00 and run/jog/walk the 5km route, along with many other enthusiastic participants.

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