Parkrunners enjoying Freedom Day to mark the start of the Rainbow Nation

Parkrunners let the calendar dictate their moods.

Every Saturday is already penciled in, but each date may carry a little extra significance. The recurring numbers mean it is time to get out the colourful ballerina outfits while Freedom Day dictates that the founding holiday of the Rainbow Nation gets its own special midweek public holiday run.

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The tutus dotted the courses across town on April 22 with some choosing spectacle over the pursuit of a personal best. At Roodepoort parkrun at Len Rutter Park, Bongani Ncube crossed the line first in 19 minutes and 46 seconds while Nadine Wilkin was the fastest woman in a time of 21 minutes and 53 seconds. On Freedom Day at Len Rutter Park, Lesego Molotsi posted a personal best as he came home first in a time of 18 minutes and 52 seconds. Matyna Bijker did it for the ladies in a time of 23 minutes and 19 seconds.

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Parkrunners have no boundaries and are one community, always celebrating unity. At the 134th parkrun near Ruimsig Stadium, Brandon Viljoen set a blistering time of 18 minutes and 14 seconds while Saskia Heydenrych finished as the first female in a time of 22 minutes and 30 seconds. Ernest Dlamini was eager to get his Freedom Day underway, cruising home in 21 minutes and 21 seconds with the pacey Jodene Shawe close behind in 22 minutes and 23 seconds.