Avid runner Johan dubbed a ‘Parkrun Tourist’
Johan van Graan has devoted most of his time to Parkrun for more than 40 years.
POLOKWANE- Leading Parkrun participant, Johan van Graan, partook in the inaugural Parkrun held at Ben Viljoen Hoërskool in Groblersdal on April 15.
Van Graan has been a well-known runner for more than 40 years in Polokwane, lately devoting his time and energy to Parkrun.
With his recent involvement in Groblersdal, he achieved the feat of having completed all 10 Parkrun events hosted in Limpopo, along with Sunil Beni, another runner who also participated in the event.
The moment the news of the achievement spread, many runners indicated that they will challenge the record.
Van Graan is one of but a few runners in the age group of 75-79, and by far the leading Parkrunner in Polokwane, having completed 323 Parkruns which include 71 different ones across the country.
For this feat, he has the honours of being regarded as a ‘Parkrun Tourist’- a title you get once having completed at least 20 different Parkrun events in the country.
Van Graan is currently in Gauteng in an attempt to add another three venues to his tally.
“I am happy with this milestone, it was a good run and I’ve learnt how people do things differently at the different venues.”
