Despite rain, flooding, heatwaves, and gusty winds, the local Bryanston Parkrun event never missed a Saturday, a testament to the dedication of volunteers and community supporters.
One of the Bryanston Parkrun volunteers, Avi Naidoo, said, “Week in, week out, we see the heart of our community in action. From our marshals and tail walkers to the ward councillors and local sponsors, everyone plays a part in making parkrun happen.”
Read more: Bryanston Parkrun keeps spirits high despite wet weekend
This year marked some major milestones: Bryanston hosted 50 events, welcomed more than 40 000 finishers, and saw roughly 900 volunteer stints across a variety of roles.
Highlights included the 500th event on April 5, where around 200 hardy runners braved the rain. Riverside Shopping Centre celebrated the milestone with gifts, while Pierre Joubert claimed the grand prize: a Persian carpet from Ghorbany Riverside.
The parkrun also saw some seriously fast times in 2025. Thato Ndlozi blazed through the course in 15:01 in February, while Kayla Doman set the women’s benchmark at 21:37 in January. Familiar faces such as Michael McLaggan, Nobert Chipika, Robyn Malan, and Roelien Henry consistently crossed the finish line first, inspiring fellow runners.
“Every week, we’re inspired by people chasing personal bests, families enjoying their Saturday mornings together, and friends motivating each other to get moving. Our oldest runner, Wolfgang Jochims, in the 85–89 category, recently completed his 350th parkrun, a true legend.”
In November, Dis-Chem joined Discovery Vitality and Brooks as official parkrun partners, enhancing the experience for all participants.
Looking ahead to 2026. Bryanston Parkrun aims to grow its volunteer base and welcome more first-timers next year.
“We want everyone, walkers, joggers, runners, and families to feel included. Our goal is to encourage more residents to enjoy our green spaces and to build partnerships with local schools to nurture volunteerism from a young age,” said Naidoo.
Also read: Bryanston parkrun calls for more volunteers as hundreds hit the track
“To everyone who walked, ran, volunteered, or cheered from the sidelines, thank you. You are the heart of Bryanston Parkrun. Please support the community organisations working to make Bryanston a safer, greener, and better place to live, work, and play.”
Tips for staying active over the holidays
Bryanston Parkrun continues through the festive season. Naidoo shares advice for staying active:
- Keep moving, even a family stroll counts
- Enjoy the braai and trifle, but stay active
- Reconnect with friends and family- parkrun is as much about community as fitness
- Make joining parkrun a New Year’s resolution
“Wishing everyone a restful festive season and a healthy, happy 2026.”
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