Galloping Grannies celebrate inspiring 500 parkruns milestone
Parkrun friends claim better parkrun ranks as they celebrate their inspiring milestones.
Determination, friendship, and a love for community running took centre stage this past weekend as Brenda Beckett (68) and her running partner Gabrielle Hülgi (80) celebrated an extraordinary 500 parkruns milestones.
Brenda’s journey began in August 2013 at Uvongo parkrun while on holiday. What started as a once-off experience quickly grew into a passion. Roodepoort parkrun became her home base, while Ruimsig parkrun turned into her volunteering hub. Over the years, Brenda has volunteered 86 times across 14 different roles, highlighting her deep commitment to the parkrun community.
Together, Brenda and Gaby became affectionately known as the “Galloping Grannies.” Their shared love for parkrun evolved into an international adventure, completing events at 125 different venues, including runs in Australia and the United States.
Also read: How Roodepoort parkrun grew into a local running powerhouse
Along the way, they embraced the unexpected, getting lost on route, arriving late, adjusting plans due to cancellations, and running in all kinds of weather.
“It’s been an incredible journey. We’ve visited places we never would have otherwise, met amazing people, and built friendships that feel like family,” said Brenda with a smile.
Their path has not been without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic brought parkrun events to a halt for nearly a year. In 2023, Brenda broke her shoulder during a trail run, sidelining her for six weeks. Earlier this year, she underwent surgery following a breast cancer diagnosis.
Despite these setbacks, Brenda remained actively involved by volunteering weekly.
“Even when I couldn’t run, I could still be part of it,” she said. “That’s what makes parkrun so special.”
Gaby began her parkrun journey in 2014 and credits their strong partnership for reaching the milestone together.
“We showed up every Saturday, rain or shine. We kept each other going,” said Gaby.
“My parkrun journey began October 4, 2014, when Brenda introduce me to weekly 5km event. From that very first run, I was hooked and never missed a Saturday since,” said Gaby.
Their achievement has also earned national recognition. Brenda and Gaby are now ranked 155 and 156 on South Africa’s 500 parkrun list, with Gaby becoming the oldest woman in the country to reach the 500-run milestone.
For both women, the accomplishment is about far more than numbers. It reflects years of perseverance, friendship, and a shared love for staying active.
“Follow your dream and never give up. I feel incredibly privileged to still be healthy enough to do what I enjoy most. May it continue,” Gaby concluded.
As the Galloping Grannies look ahead, they remain committed to their weekly runs, proving that age is no barrier to determination, adventure, and community spirit.
