Fun as parkrun turns 1

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GRAAFF-REINET NEWS & VIDEO - The Mountain Drive parkrun in Graaff-Reinet celebrated its first birthday in style on 1 February, as 120 participants took on the challenging route.

The event was a walk in the park for Spandau Secondary learners Lenrico van Wyk, Ricardo Rhyners and Doniellio Lomberg, who came first, second and third in the men's category. Van Wyk, who crossed the finish-line in 22:22, said he would be back.

Claire Lemke from Knysna was the first woman to finish the race, with a personal best of 25:40.

Runners from as far as England, Welkom, Aliwal North and Polokwane also competed in the festive event. Charles Maasdorp, a loyal volunteer, popped a bottle of champagne to start the celebration, while participants enjoyed the festive atmosphere with cupcakes and cold drinks. Mixie Goedhals, who has 45 parkruns to her name, was the first to deliver her plate of cupcakes.

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Lusan Luscombe and Rozelle Köhne, who initiated the Mountain Drive parkrun, were excited with how far the free event has come. "It took us and other helpers nearly a year to get everything in place for [our local parkrun] to be registered," said Köhne, a member of the Graaff-Reinet Running Club.

Köhne added that it was a mission to get the name, route, security and volunteers in place, "but everything worked out well".

Watch a video below:

Mixie Goedhals with her plate of cupcakes. Photos: Christo Vermaak

The festive day proved to be a family event. Husband and wife André and Magda Claassen enjoyed their 35th parkrun with their three-year-old grandson, Marko, who completed his 16th parkrun - even if mostly on André's shoulders.

"It relieves the stress every time you compete," André said about the therapeutic event.

Frances Padbielski from Welkom, who took on her 63rd parkrun, said it was her sixth parkrun in Graaff-Reinet. "I chase parkruns all over the country, but this one is the best, although also the most difficult."

Luscombe thanked the Camdeboo National Park, the Graaff-Reinet Running Club and the volunteers for making the weekly event possible.

Learners from Spandau Secondary that competed.