Running in leap years and bounds at the parkrun

Gallery Update

KNYSNA NEWS - Unbeknownst to them, participants in the 258th Knysna parkrun were part of a very special event – the first ever edition of the run to take place on a leap day and the last such to occur for the next 18 years.

Knysna's edition of the parkrun first launched on 31 January 2015 and even though the following year (2016) was a leap year, it didn't fall on the leap day (29 February).

From thereon, runners and organisers had to wait a further four years for a second chance to run on a leap day, and last weekend that chance finally came.

Prior to the start of the race at 08:00, organisers shared some interesting facts about leap day Saturdays, noting that the last time it occurred was in 1992, and the next time will only come again in 2048.

Photo gallery: Knysna's leap day parkrun

With a slight morning chill in the air and nothing but clear skies overhead, 220 runners lined up at the start line ready to tackle the 5km course that meanders its way along the lagoon. The course turns around at the halfway point at Long Street, and Sibonele Human was a man on a mission in his first parkrun. Human, a member of Knysna Marathon Club, managed to complete his 5km in a fantastic time of 16:48, only 38 seconds off the record time of 16:10.

Human was one of 10 runners to make their parkrun debut on the special occasion, with five other runners also reaching milestones. Yvette Share celebrated her 50th parkrun with a time of 42:06, Darrell Gebhard celebrated his 100th with a time of 31:21, Ed Harris celebrated his 150th in a time of 40:18, and Arthur Field celebrated his 200th in a time of 28:02. Ruan Share (7) further joined the prestigious Junior 10 Club, completing his 10th parkrun in a personal best time of 32:28.

Sibonele Human makes his way down the final straight on his way to placing first.