PLETTENBERG BAY NEWS - The Harkerville parkrun notched up its 250th outing on Saturday 9 November, the day parkrun South Africa reached its milestone of the one millionth "parkrunner" joining one of the events across the country.

Harkerville parkrun is one of 220 parkruns operating in South Africa that has contributed to this landmark, with over 8 200 people having taken part over the six years that it has been in existence.

'Smiles, friendships'

Heather Kennedy, event director of the Harkerville parkrun, said: "We're delighted to have played a small part in contributing to this milestone. It's such a big number, but parkrun is also about the small things that we see every week - the smiles, the friendships, and the friendly and welcoming community that we have created.

"And of course a big thank you to all our fantastic volunteers who make it all possible each week."

'Great concept'

The Harkerville parkrun started in 2018, after a few local runners had been contemplating starting one for some time, and had started working out the route.

"It is such a great concept, and I had no doubt that Harkerville would mirror the success of other parkruns around the country that had been going since 2013.

"With the help of donations and volunteers clearing trees along the forest path, building the footbridge across the stream specially (!) for parkrun, clearing the start/finish area and providing some basic equipment, we had a successful launch on 6 May 2018, with 339 participants, including a number of parkrun 'tourists'.

'Families and kids'

"What makes me so happy each Saturday morning is seeing the different participants that come along, from the fast guys in the front, to the families and kids, to the joggers and walkers out there just enjoying themselves.

"It is not a race, so the only competition is you against your own previous time. The results captured each week build up your history of any parkrun that you ever do, anywhere, and let's you target certain milestone goals," said Kennedy.

"We hope to see you soon!"

Bruce Fordyce, the president of parkrun South Africa, said he was thrilled to reach the one million landmark.

'Incredible!'

"Who could have guessed that when we stood there at the inaugural Delta parkrun with just 29 participants, and that, just 13 years later, we would see more than one million people join parkrun here in South Africa - incredible!"

In the first year of parkrun operating in South Africa, 2011, eight events were held. This year there were more than 10 000.

A South African parkrun finish line has been crossed over 13,4m times.

Over 60 000 people have volunteered at parkrun South Africa.

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