Parkrun draws record turnout at President Park
Residents showed up in numbers for the April 27 parkrun highlighting the growth of the weekly community event.
The community laced up their running shoes and got active on April 27 at the 5km parkrun at President Park.
Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or even spectate.
The event director, Marius Jonker, shared that this year’s Freedom Day event had a better turnout, with the number of finishers double that of last year.
He spoke about the fluctuation in attendance.
“There is always an increase in January and this is mainly due to new year resolutions, but also as people are focused on training for marathons coming up in the rest of the year.
“In winter, there is a decrease, and this is due to chilly weather. If it rains too much, there is also a decrease, but in summer, we see more people coming,” he said.
Jonker adds that volunteers over 18 are always welcome to help.
“No experience is needed, and you don’t need to have done a parkrun before. There are many roles to choose from and someone will show you what to do on the day,” he said.
Jonker encouraged the community to join the runners every Saturday by registering on the parkrun website.
“Once you are registered, a personal parkrun barcode will be emailed to you, which allows you to keep track of your parkrun journey.
“You can print out the scannable QR code or save the scannable version to your mobile phone, then bring it with you to the parkrun,” Jonker shared.
He adds that anyone over the age of four can register for a parkrun. At 5km events, U11 children must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.
“Parkrun is a run, not a race; it exists to create a healthier and happier planet by providing free, weekly 5km community events that are inclusive, social, and accessible to everyone.
“It is not just about running; it is a community-driven initiative focusing on mental well-being, physical health, and social connection. We’d love for more community members to join,” Jonker concluded.
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