Knysna parkrun celebrates a remarkable milestone

KNYSNA NEWS - There were plenty of smiles, high-fives and happy footsteps at the Knysna parkrun on Saturday 8 August as 350 runners and walkers from all walks of life gathered to celebrate an extraordinary milestone - the event's 500th run.

Known affectionately as 'Mr Parkrun' in Knysna, Kenny Wilkinson started the local edition on 31 January 2014 after hearing about the growing movement.

"I was involved in running all my life when I heard about parkrun and thought we should start one in Knysna - which we promptly did," Wilkinson recalls.

What began with about 146 participants gradually grew into a much-loved Saturday-morning tradition, with hundreds of people regularly participating.

Every Saturday at 08:00, runners and walkers of all ages and abilities gather at the start line.

The journey to 500 events took a little longer than expected, however. "We obviously would have reached our 500th parkrun in about 10 years, but Covid stopped us for about 18 months, so it has taken us a little longer to reach this milestone," Wilkinson said.

Yet the pandemic could not break the spirit of the Knysna parkrun community. When the events eventually resumed, participants and volunteers returned with renewed enthusiasm.

Where everyone belongs
Perhaps the greatest strength of the Knysna parkrun is its inclusivity. Young and old, runners and walkers, first-timers and seasoned athletes all share the same start line.

For many, parkrun has become about far more than exercise. It is a place to meet friends, make new ones, spend time with family and simply enjoy the outdoors.

Families participate in different ways - running, walking, volunteering, travelling together or simply sharing a Saturday morning.

And behind every one of the 500 events has been a dedicated army of volunteers. Timekeepers, barcode scanners, marshals and tail walkers have helped make each Saturday possible, often arriving early to prepare the course and staying behind after the final participant has finished.

"The dedication of each person who showed up astonished me," Wilkinson said. "So many locals put in their personal efforts to improve the course, park, facilities and public grounds, all to make parkrun a better place to be."

And with 500 events now safely under its belt, there is every reason to believe the best is still to come.

Warren Petersen finished second in the 5km race, while his daughter, Brooklyn Veldkornet (left), was the first junior girl and his son, Tyler, the first junior boy across the finish line.

Richard Bovell and his four-legged companion Charlie make their way towards the finish line of the 5km race.

Kenny Wilkinson, affectionately known as 'Mr Parkrun' in Knysna, with race director Andrew Finn before the start of Saturday's 500th parkrun. Photos: Hugo Redelinghuys