Despite the cold winter mornings, dozens of runners and walkers continue to gather every Saturday, including on July 11, for the Springs parkrun, where fitness, friendship and community spirit keep participants coming back.

The free weekly 5km event welcomes people of all ages and fitness levels, from seasoned runners chasing personal bests to families and walkers looking to stay active.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, Springs parkrun event director Marius Jonker said the event has continued to thrive over the years because of the people who participate.

“The people who attend, the runners and walkers, are what keep it going. It is not just about running; it’s about walking as well. Walking has become a very important part of parkrun. It’s not just parkrun but a parkwalk as well,” he said.

Although winter has arrived in full force, Jonker said attendance has remained consistent. He explained that over the last few weeks, even when it was cold, the numbers have stayed up.

He added that it might dip slightly one week, but overall it has remained quite stable. Jonker believes the sense of community is what makes the event special.

“I wouldn’t say Springs is different from other parkruns. It depends on the community. People do not only come here to run or walk; they also come to socialise. It is a good opportunity to catch up with friends and meet other people in the community,” he said.

He said the event provides benefits for participants across all age groups. He shared that for the young ones, it is a good practice for cross-country or long-distance running at school.

As for older people, he said it is an opportunity to get out of the house, enjoy nature, and spend time with others, adding that it is an outing that lets them be part of the community. Jonker added that parkrun plays an important role in encouraging healthier lifestyles.

“It gets people out of the habit of sitting in front of the television. It gets them moving, whether they’re running or walking.”

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He encouraged anyone who has been thinking about joining to take the first step by visiting their website at www.parkrun.co.za/springs/.

Participants Donovan da Serra (43) and Jacqueline Gerber (29) are among those whose lives have been transformed through the weekly event.

Da Serra, who has been taking part since 2018, told the publication that he first joined after he and his friends stopped playing indoor soccer.

“At the time we had just finished indoor soccer, and we wanted to keep that level of fitness still going. Parkrun is a nice, consistent fitness activity every Saturday,” he said.

Despite the chilly weather, da Serra remains committed.

“They say summer bodies are forged in winter. The idea is if you can keep the consistency going, you’ll keep that level of fitness throughout. It is also nice to have something to do, even on a cold morning. You’ve got to get out there,” said da Serra.

He said parkrun has benefited both his physical and mental wellbeing. Da Serra has also celebrated personal milestones. He believes one of parkrun’s greatest strengths is its inclusivity.

“Anyone and everyone can come to parkrun, and we all run together as a community. We have got a WhatsApp group where everyone lets each other know which parkrun we are going to.

“We travel together as a group, and now one of my friends even brings his young son along. The idea is to get him involved from an early age,” he explained.

Gerber, who has been participating since 2016, said she joined shortly after finishing high school. She said the welcoming atmosphere keeps her returning every week.

“The friendliness of the people here is what I like about our parkrun,” she said.

She credits parkrun for starting her running journey. Gerber explained that it all started with parkrun.

She shared that she struggled at first and then realised it was time to improve. She said that her fitness improved a lot and last year she ran her first marathon.

One of her favourite memories was seeing her family participate together. Both runners encouraged newcomers not to be intimidated.

“It’s tough in the beginning, so running and walking is fine because you’re probably not going to run the whole way at first. But once you come every week, it gets better, and it becomes much more enjoyable,” said da Serra.

Gerber echoed the message, saying that consistency is the hardest part at first, but it does not stay that bad; it gets better.