LONDON HOSTED 1ST PARKRUN - FORDYCE

MANZINI – Visiting Parkrun Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Bruce Fordyce wants to the take the global initiative to the country’s communities.

The CEO who is here for the second parkrun in the land, the Manzini one, was speaking after the hub’s event which was held at the soon to be developed Manzini Golf Course. He said the parkrun initiative was a global family thing which was founded in 2004 by a South African, who was based in England. “The first parkrun in the world was in London, and the concept was then taken to South Africa by me and the first one in the continent was established in 2011 in Johannesburg.  Today it has spread nationally and regional as we are in Eswatini for the country’s second parkrun after the one in Mbabane,” Fordyce said. He said he was happy that the country had two parkruns, but according to him this should not be the case, as every city and town should have its own parkrun. “My aim is to take parkruns to the communities, but the first step is for every town to have its own. Our hands are open to assist with the necessary equipment should anyone approach us,” he said.

could not participate

Fordyce said the reason to take the parkruns to communities was due to the fact that people from remote areas who were interested could not participate due to distance. He further said he was impressed with the number of runners who came for yesterday’s event, whereby the first runner home was Melusi Khumalo, who was followed by Mbabane Parkrun and Swazi Slojo’s veteran runner Mfanukhona ‘Mahlombel’hlanya’ Mhlanga. Coming third was also a Mbabane Parkrun and Meter Dorolosa High School pupil Bandile Mkhonta. In the ladies category, it was the impressive young athlete Phiwokuhle Bulunga, who topped them on the day. The 5km run/walk was also graced by pupils of Living Waters Primary School and according to the school’s Sports Coordinator Zoliswa Mabuza; they were attending the event for the first time. She said this was a good initiative as it would help the pupils to stay fit.

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