Polokwane parkrun turns one next Saturday
Polokwane parkrun is celebrating its first birthday and an exciting event is planned for 16 April when members and non-members are invited to join in the fun. “We hope that park runners will make an extra effort to attend as we will create a festive atmosphere with decorations, balloons and a birthday cake as well …
Polokwane parkrun is celebrating its first birthday and an exciting event is planned for 16 April when members and non-members are invited to join in the fun.
“We hope that park runners will make an extra effort to attend as we will create a festive atmosphere with decorations, balloons and a birthday cake as well as some lucky draw prizes to be handed out. A picnic will also be held after the event and we urge people to bring their blankets and baskets for a cheerful gathering,” Polokwane parkrun Event Director Felicity Roberts said.
The run will start at 08:00 as usual followed by the celebrations.
“It is difficult to say whether the Polokwane parkrun has grown but I can tell that we have had well over 1 500 registered members participating in the 5 km run/walk which includes visitors. There are people who have done only one or two and the average of people participating each Saturday varies between 120 and 160. We are also proud to say that we have hosted a parkrun every Saturday since we started and are fortunate not to have had one event cancelled,” Roberts said.
About the attitude of the runners Roberts said that there are some participants who have become addicted to parkrun. “You compete against yourself. We offer fresh air, a beautiful park and company. We must also acknowledge Polokwane Municipality who has been incredibly supportive in maintaining the park,” Roberts said.
Polokwane Parkrun was hosted for the first time in accompany of nine times Comrades winner Bruce Fordyce on 11 April last year.
According to statistics on the Polokwane parkrun website the female record holder is Elsabé Cronjé with a time of 19:12 while Gilbert Makakaba is the male record holder with a time of 16:41. Thirty three clubs are represented by participants and the total hours run for the year stands at 203 days 11 minutes and 12 seconds while a total distance of 36 325 km been run. For more information contact Roberts at 079 897 3314.
Featured Photo: RC Myburgh – Event Director Felicity Roberts promises a joyful event next Saturday when Polokwane parkrun will celebrate its first birthday.
RC Myburgh
>>rc.observer@gmail.com
