Today my post shows what Parkrun is all about. Not only do you have to be fit or reasonably fit and motivated to improve your walking time, you can do Parkrun after surgery or illness as soon as your doctor has given you the go-ahead.
Parkrun is popular with serious runners who're spending the weekend in a city and want to keep up their fitness. I've noticed that Parkrun is popular with runners who're training for of have taken part in the annual Comrades Marathon held in South Africa. Parkrun is also for parents who push prams or carry babies in slings or on their shoulders and young old who want to walk/run their dogs! Parkrun is especially enjoyable with the elderly as they can meander along on walking sticks (like our friend Ant does) or using a single cane. They get out, they get to chat to others walking at their pace (often I see one of our older Parkrun walkers walking with mothers with babies strapped to their chests) and they experience an amazing sense of well-being and achievement when they arrive at the end.
Mother and baby before setting off on the 5km Parkrun walk last week. This little darling was fast asleep when mama passed the finish line
These two serious runners head up the start of the Parkrun
More runners starting off well at last week's Parkrun
Dogs on leashes are always welcome
Gwenda and Ant stride out on the walk last week
Alan, (87) our oldest local Parkrun participant brought friend Sylvia. Grant as the sweep is always at the back
The volunteers enjoy a voluntary Cuppachino from the Waffle Hut as they wait for the first runners to return
Petros Hlongwane does the weekly Parkrun in under 18 minutes. He's completed ten consecutive Comrades Marathons. His most recent passion is mountain biking
Striding down the last 500 meters
Strong young legs
Petros clocks in with Shorty Hall
A youngster who came in just after Petros, gives us our money's worth by sprinting into the finish
A young dad with his toddler on his shoulders
This bull dog x strode into the finish with his mistress
can you guess my favorite runner? my favorite photo? can you? can you? I KNOW you can. Bull dog all the way. go PUP.... so many people and all different run/walk/roll. fun healthy exercise and also socialization. nothing better. if I were there I would help Grant SWEEP
ReplyDeleteI like the baby-on-shoulders shot, of course, but dog photos are always fun.
DeleteKay
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel
It certainly attracts all ages and levels of ability. Great event!
ReplyDeleteA big part of longevity and happiness for the elderly is opportunities for socialization. It's wonderful there are ways for the elderly (and everyone else) to get involved and have that sense of community and belonging.
ReplyDeleteGreat idea. Fun and fitness - and lovely scenery too.
ReplyDeleteTerrific shots! My favourite is that bulldog.
ReplyDeleteThe event sounds like fun for people of all ages. It's healthy and offers companionship, social interactions, and even pets can come too, I love that and they probably do to. Great post Jo and thanks for expanding on this event and explaining it.
ReplyDeleteI miss the excitement of races
ReplyDeleteHi, Jo and Grant!
ReplyDeleteI've never been much of a one for races, clinging only to my one triumph of outrunning my young brother Rob when he was 14 and I was 35.
I love these photos, though, especially the one of the baby and the two of the white and brown terrier who looks so much like our Bonnie-Belinda.
Love, K
An Unfittie's Guide to Adventurous Travel