When the Roodepoort Record reported about the first parkrun I dismissed it as not relevant to me. I am a walker, enjoying walking and at the time capable of several kilometres.
On 28 April 2012 a small group of enthusiasts launched a race in the Len Rutter park. The second of its nature in Africa. Five months earlier, on 12 November 2011, the first South African parkrun launched at Delta park, Johannesburg. The notion originated on 2 October 2004 at Bushy park, Teddington, UK. https://www.parkrun.com/about/our-story/
More than a year later, I somehow discovered that walkers are welcome. I registered (https://www.parkrun.co.za/register/), printed my barcode and attended my first ever parkrun on 17 August 2013, as walker.
In order to get overcome the initial bundling, I’ve taken to running from start-off and changing to walking after the stream, when commencing the incline. Also making a dash the last downhill, finishing tired, but strong. However, on 28 September 2013 I stepped into a hollow and sprained my ankle really badly. Adequate recovery, before I could return, took four and a half months. Gradually my running increased until I managed the entire course.
On 14 February 2015, I ran my 50th parkrun, becoming a member of the 50 Club (Red T-shirt). A little more than a year later, on 26 March 2016, I qualified as member of the 100 Club (Black T-shirt). https://www.parkrun.com/about/our-clubs/
parkruns are free, weekly, timed events across the world—currently 20 countries (https://www.parkrun.com/countries/), where everyone is welcome—regardless if a walker, jogger, runner or volunteer (https://www.parkrun.com/). Each registered participant’s barcode is key—no barcode, no result—and is all that is needed to participate at any parkrun anywhere in the world.
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