The Hello Spring 5km Walk/Run brought residents together in Selcourt on September 5, with organisers hoping to promote healthier lifestyles while supporting the local community.

The event, hosted by Hillcrest Pharmacy and Fitness Defined, was open to participants of all fitness levels.

Speaking to the Springs Advertiser, Fitness Defined’s Darryn Ferguson said the main motivation behind the event was to bring residents and local businesses together while raising funds for local charities.

He said the event was also aimed at encouraging local businesses to work together at a time when the local economy has experienced challenges.

Ferguson added that the event provided an opportunity for residents to meet one another and become more familiar with businesses operating in their community.

Alexia Radulovi of Hillcrest Pharmacy said the pharmacy’s involvement was based on its belief that health extends beyond physical well-being.

“Your healthcare is holistic, so it is not just your physical health. It is where you live, your environment, and your community,” she said.

Radulovi said social isolation can contribute to issues such as depression and anxiety, making community activities an important part of overall well-being.

The organisers also wanted the event to encourage people who are not regularly active to get moving.

“It’s just getting out and moving, taking in some fresh air and enjoying a bit of company along the way,” Radulovi said.

Ferguson said inclusivity was an important part of the event, with the organisers wanting to make the 5km accessible to people who may not consider themselves fit.

“We want to get people that are unfit actually off the couch and walking, and so they can see what they can do,” he said.

He encouraged residents who are not physically active to start at their own pace rather than feeling pressured to take on demanding exercise immediately.

He also highlighted the mental benefits of regular exercise, saying fitness was about more than physical health.

“Exercise is such a huge mental benefit as well. It is just a feel-good way of doing things,” he said.

Despite the cold weather, Ferguson described the event as successful, though he believed attendance could have been higher in better weather.

While organisers have not finalised plans for future events, Ferguson said holding more than one event a year was being considered.

One runner from Duduza, Princess Masina, told the publication that taking part in the race was an opportunity to prioritise her health and encourage others to become more physically active.

Masina said she was motivated to participate because of the importance of health and well-being.

“Initially, what motivated me was health and well-being. We need to be fit and physical because a lot of people get sick from little things,” she said.

She said regular walking and running can help people avoid becoming inactive and improve their physical well-being.

“Physically, it does distress, and then also it makes you always physically free,” said Masina.

She prepares for events by regularly walking and exercising, including in the mornings, afternoons and on weekends.

Masina said she enjoyed the opportunity to meet other people while taking part in the event.

“It’s very beautiful because you happen to meet a lot of people; you can enjoy the park,” she said.

She believes community fitness events can encourage residents to become more active, citing activities such as aerobics and weekly exercise sessions.

For those wanting to start walking or running, Masina advised beginning gradually rather than trying to do too much at once.

“You will not just start running overnight. Sometimes you will run maybe for 30 minutes, then next time you will do one hour or more,” she said.