Six hundred people braved the cold to participate in the inaugural Hout Bay parkrun last weekend.
Even the threat of the 12 Apostles fire, which had crested the ridge below Ruyteplaats overnight, was not enough to deter runners and walkers wanting to experience the picturesque 5km route through the wetlands on Saturday October 14.
Many parkrun “tourists” – runners who participate in parkruns all over Cape Town – could be seen among the pack, enjoying the novelty of the course, which included a plastic frog strategically positioned among the reeds.
Comrades Marathon legend Bruce Fordyce, who was instrumental in bringing the parkrun brand to Hout Bay, thanked residents of Milner Road as well as those initially opposed to event, for agreeing to let it go ahead.
“This will be an amazing parkrun, but please don’t stand on the leopard toads,” he quipped at the start line. “For many of you, this will be your first parkrun, but you have no idea about the journey you are about to take. It is an amazing one.”
Cape Town Mayor Patricia de Lille was also in attendance, and said the Hout Bay event was the 11th parkrun to be staged in the city.
“I won’t be joining you today, but I will be in the future. We all need to be healthy and fit,” she said to loud cheers.
Ward councillor Rob Quintas said the City had heeded residents’ call for such an event, and it was pleasing to see people from all Hout Bay’s communities participating in the run.
