Thursday, November 7, 2024

Journey of growth, fitness and impact in Laudium

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The Laudium Parkrun proudly celebrated its 10th anniversary on October 19, which marked a significant milestone in its journey from a small gathering of runners to a vibrant community event.

The parkrun was established in 2014 as the second of its kind in Pretoria and has become a cherished weekly tradition that welcomes participants of all ages and fitness levels to enjoy a free 5km run or walk.

The Parkrun director, Haseena Azmuth, said the event started after Comrades Marathon king Bruce Fordyce approached the Laudium community to find out if they would be interested in having their own.

She said after discussions with Fordyce, it was decided that she would take full responsibility for the event going forward.

“It was a bit difficult in the beginning. I had to get my own equipment, find an area for people to run, and secure volunteers,” she recalled.

Azmuth said there was an absence of a support structure for the Laudium Parkrun compared to the other parkruns in Pretoria.

“The others had advantages because they had facilities that we don’t have in our community.”

She said finding where the parkrun was going to take place was also difficult because the area did not have any big parks with facilities.

“After careful consideration, I decided that the Laudium Stadium would be the right spot.

My ultimate goal at the time was to ensure that the parkrun became a success for years to come, despite the initial hurdles in the beginning.”

Azmuth said things got better as the years progressed and more people got involved.

She said the event has impacted a lot of people and changed their lives for the better.

“I get really happy when I see most of the elderly participants bringing their grandchildren to the event.

It’s really remarkable how special the parkrun makes the little kids feel.”

She added that one of the participants was an 87-year-old man who has been coming to the event since its inception.

Azmuth’s passion for the parkrun is evident in her desire to help others.

“My reward is to see the people smiling at the finish line, and that keeps me motivated because I love seeing them happy and enjoying life,” she said.

During the event’s 10th anniversary celebration, Azmuth said witnessing the growth and impact of the Laudium Parkrun has been remarkable.

“We have come from a small group of runners and grown into a vibrant community. The parkrun has become a place where people can connect, exercise, and find inspiration.”

She said the volunteers are the heartbeat of the parkrun.

“We owe them a huge debt of gratitude. They dedicate their time and effort to ensuring that each Saturday morning is special.”

She said the hard work, from setting up the course to cheering on participants, reflects the community spirit that defines this event.

The anniversary celebrations included recognition by the Department of Sports (DOS), with officials presenting medals to all runners to show appreciation for their commitment and participation.

“A couple of years ago, I invited some officials from the DOS to join us so that they could see what the events were like, and eventually they became regulars,” she said.

Looking ahead, Azmuth remains hopeful for the future of the Laudium Parkrun and that it will continue for decades to come.

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