Galloping Grannies reach 400th milestone

They say age is mind over matter; if you don’t mind, it doesn’t matter. This is particularly true for two dedicated parkrunners at the Roodepoort parkrun.

Brenda Beckett (66) and Gabrielle (Gaby) Hugli (78) completed their 400th parkrun event early in May with a huge celebration. Between the two of them, they have visited more than 100 different parkrun locations, three international parkruns (Italy, Germany and Australia) and volunteered more than 50 times. Brenda said that her favourite parkrun is the one at Leeupoort and Gaby’s favourite run is at Umdoni.

The duo met 20 years ago at the gym. “We were ‘gym bunnies’ and attended classes six days a week. We discovered we had a lot in common and soon became firm friends,” Brenda said.

Brenda’s parkrun journey started in 2013 when she completed her first run while on holiday in Uvongo.

“Because I did a step class at the gym every Saturday, it was only almost a year later that I ran at Roodepoort and the bug really bit. I invited Gaby to join a few weeks later and the rest is history. We have been parkrun partners ever since, running or volunteering come rain or shine.”

Gaby was the more adventurous one of the two, and she soon started discovering different parkrun events to visit around Johannesburg.

Gaby had a holiday home in Amanzimtoti and was soon exploring all the parkruns in KZN. She achieved tourist status quite a long time before me and pushed me to reach this milestone. She then set her sights on the Windgat status.

“We would get up at the crack of dawn every Saturday, Garmin at the ready and always a plan B in case there was an unexpected cancellation. Holidays were planned around parkrun venues much to the chagrin of our non-parkrunning husbands.

“Eventually, Gaby’s goal was realised and we are now proudly Windgat,” Brenda said with a smile.

She added that volunteering is very important to both of them as this is a way of giving back; without volunteers, the parkrun cannot go ahead.

“Volunteering allowed us to meet new people, make new friends and make a positive contribution.”

One of Gaby’s favourite roles is to hang the milestone flags. She also is keen to do the First Timer briefing, as she loves to welcome and encourage newcomers.

“I am happy to fill any role that is needed on the day and will often jump in to assist after my run if the need arises.”

Some memorable moments in the duo’s journey include visiting a very wet parkrun at Cannibal’s Cave, getting lost on the way to Bronkhorstspruit and having to chase the tailwalkers for the first 2kms, the visit to Klipspringer parkrun to surprise Gaby on holiday, and chasing the New Year’s double.

“Parkrun has taken us to places we would never thought of visiting, we have seen parts of our towns and country that we never knew existed. We have met the most interesting people and formed friendships with the most unlikely people. It is a journey we intend to continue for as long as we can and hopefully reach the 500 milestone by the time we turn 70 and 80,” Brenda said.