As summer shows off what’s been lying empty during the quieter winter months, parkruns inside City of Joburg parks are a perfect start to the glorious warmer days ahead.
And what way to get out and get fit than strapping on your takkies for a run in your nearest park?
First started in 2011, parkruns are now as popular as the Comrades Marathon. Bruce Fordyce, nine times Comrades champion, introduced the concept after a visit to the UK. It is now among the favourite outdoor activities on the fitness calendar.
Parkruns are accessible to all residents around Joburg and draw people from all walks of life - attracting the avid runner to the first-time chancer. There is no pressure as to who outruns the other but rather, they focus on building friendships while staying healthy.
The great benefit of these parkruns is that they are free, open to all age groups and are a relaxing-enough 5km trot which starts at 8am, every Saturday.
“Parks are critical in creating liveable and vibrant cities and nurturing green consciousness. We have many beautiful trails in Joburg and residents who play together, work closer together to build strong, caring communities,” stated Cllr Nonhlanhla Sifumba, Member of the Mayor Committee for Community Development in the City of Joburg.
As the champions of greening in the City of Joburg, Joburg City Parks and Zoo boasts over 2 174 parks for its residents - sporting play equipment with free-to-use outdoor gyms as well to complement healthy lifestyles in the City.
If you’re interested in joining thousands of parkrun enthusiasts, simply visit www.parkrun.co.za, get registered and find your nearest parkrun in these areas:
Alberts Farm, Atholl, Bezuidenhout, Bryanston, Delta, Ernest Ullamnn, Golden Harvest, Lanseria, Lonehill, Modderfontein Reserve, Rietvlei, Roodepoort, Rose, Lenasia, Woodlands and Waterval.
You’ll get all the information you need, from volunteering, to the course mapping, photo galleries, and links to other parkruns around the country and around the world. Once a member, a participant’s progress is recorded through bar codes which log data and send results via SMS or on the website, all done by the volunteers.
Although free of charge, parkruns are dependent on sponsors to make them sustainable. A number of well-known sporting and health brands are on board to increase the number of activations. Parks and green lungs play a critical role in significantly improving the wellbeing of people living in cities.
Green spaces and parks reduce the daily stresses of life, where the presence of trees, greenery, birdlife and natural surroundings bring calmness to those who frequent these leafy spaces. The latest parkrun opening will be held in Rose Park, Lenasia, this Saturday, 20 October 2018 at 8am.
