Parkrun celebrates one million milestone
Everyone is invited to come and join parkrun on a Saturday morning. It’s free, it’s friendly, and it doesn’t matter how fast you are.
More than 16 160 people have taken part in the Uvongo parkrun in the 11 years of its existence.
It is one of 220 parkruns currently operating in South Africa, which takes place every Saturday morning all year around.
Parkruns are free to take part in, and you can walk, jog, or run the 5km course or help out as a volunteer.
On Saturday, November 16, parkrun South Africa is due to reach an incredible milestone – the one millionth person to volunteer or complete a parkrun.
Shane Woolley, event director of Uvongo parkrun, said they are delighted to have played a small part in contributing to this milestone.
“It’s such a big number, but parkrun is also about the small things that we see every week – the smiles, the friendships, and the friendly and welcoming community that we have created. And, of course, a big thank you to all our fantastic volunteers who make it all possible each week.”
Bruce Fordyce, the president of parkrun South Africa, is thrilled to reach this landmark.
“Who could have guessed that when we stood at the inaugural Delta parkrun with just 29 participants, that just 13 years later, we would see more than one million people join in South Africa – incredible!”
Fordyce is excited to see what’s going to happen next. “So many more people would benefit from coming along to parkrun, whether to walk, jog, run or volunteer, and we look forward to another million South Africans signing up over the next few years,” he said.
Woolley said they look forward to welcoming many more new and previously active parkrunners.
Everyone is invited to go along and join in on a Saturday morning. It’s free, it’s friendly, and it doesn’t matter how fast you are.
For more details about Uvongo parkrun visit: www.parkrun.co.za/uvongo or contact Shane Woolley on 083 5661275.
Parkrun statistics:
* Uvongo parkrun began on May 11, 2013.
* In the first year of parkrun operating in South Africa – 2011 – eight events were held. This year, the number is more than 10 000.
* The highest number of registrations was in 2017, nearly a quarter of a million people. This year’s registration numbers will be the highest since 2019.
* A South African parkrun finish line has been crossed over 13.4 million times.
* More than 60 000 different people have volunteered at parkrun South Africa.
* Gauteng is the province with the most parkruns, currently standing at 64.
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