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50TH PARKRUN ON 50/50 WEEKEND

22/04/2018 07:27:00 BY SANELE JELE

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MBABANE-The Mbabane parkrun is 50 weeks old. It was on May 6 last year when the Mbabane Parkrun was launched and 128 fun run enthusiasts attended the weekly race. Fast forward to this day, the parkrun is celebrating its 50th edition.

Since inception, the weekly five kilometres timed run has seen its membership increase from the 128 runners to a ballooning 845 registered members.
The race starts and finishes at the Mbabane Club. It is run over the rolling lush green hills of the Mbabane Golf Course.

The overall record holder for the local parkrun is Umbufto Swaziland Defence Force’s Nkululeko Gama on a impressive time of 14:56 minutes. Gama set this record on January 6 this year.
The female record holder is Swazi Slojos’ Gugu Mthembu. Her best time was on November 18 last year where she finished the race in 22:47 minutes.

On average, the parkrun sees 89 runners/joggers on weekly basis, while the average time for the runners to finish the race is 39:27 minutes. The race has seen participation from individuals and clubs. There are 23 clubs which take part in the weekly race and they include Swazi Slojos, Correctional, and Umbutfo Swaziland Defence Force, to mention but a few.
The 50th edition was won by Mduduzi Dlamini, who completed his fifth win in his 25th attendance. He finished the race in 20:07 minutes, while 10-year-old Sierra Du Pont emerged as a winner in the female category, clocking 31:03 minutes.

Sebbie Du Pont, who is one of the organisers said he was impressed with the growing number of runners, who consistently join the Mbabane Parkrun.
“The number of attendees depends mostly on the weather conditions. During warm humid days, we have over 100 runners. On rainy cold days, we have on average 50 participants.
“We urge more runners out there to register and be part of the amazing family,” Du Pont said.
Participation is free. Runners just need to register on www.parkrun.co.za.