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www.thevillagenews.co.za
30 October 2019
Hermanus parkrun turns four the fourth birthday celebration on Saturday: Diane Hunter, David Botha, Marianne McHendrie, Carol Wallis, Peter Wallis and Douglas Nowers.
O
ur beautiful Hermanus parkrun, which takes place in the Hemel-en-Aarde Valley every Saturday morning at 08:00, celebrated its fourth birthday on 26 October. The walkers (some with their dogs) were blessed with a stunning, clear morning and a fairly dry route after Friday’s heavy rain.
David Botha, better known as Councillor Botha, is a registered parkrunner and was accompanied on Saturday by four of his fellow councillors from the Overstrand Municipality, namely Grant Cohen, Christine May, Ronald Nutt and Hannie Morgan. They were fondly referred to as the ‘Councillor Bus’.
A total of 186 people ran, jogged or walked the 5 km course – 39 were first timers and 19 recorded new personal bests.
The Hermanus parkrun’s most senior participant, ‘Oom’ Willie Loedolff, completed 100 volunteer days as the tailend-walker, and photographer Alan Paulick completed 175 days.
Hermanus parkrun also welcomed five international participants, one of whom, Karen Andrew from the UK, has done parkruns in at least four different countries (there are 222 parkrun locations worldwide). The first Hermanus parkrun took place on 31 October 2015. A few pioneers of that first run were also at
One of the organisers, Dudley Meyer, says they are extremely grateful for the help of all their volunteers, without whom the parkrun would not be able to function. Other milestones included James Luckhoff and Charlene Behn both completing their 100th parkrun, while Lizette Oosthuizen reached her 50th.
ABOVE: The ‘Councillor Bus’ was the name given to a group of five Overstrand Municipality councillors who took part in Hermanus parkrun’s fourth birthday. From left are Ronald Nutt, Christine May, David Botha, Hannie Morgan and Grant Cohen. The parkrunners thoroughly enjoyed themselves and laughter could be heard all along the route, at the end of which awaited a delicious Hermanus parkrun birthday cake. Those who had reached their milestones (50, 100
or 150 parkruns) were also able to collect their special, printed parkrun T-shirts. Visit their Facebook page, Hermanus parkrun, for more photos and information.
Parkrunners enjoyed the beautiful weather on Saturday. Children and dogs are most welcome on the parkrun route. PHOTOS: Taylum Meyer
Tough Mudder – what an adventure! The Tough Mudder is not a race – it’s a challenge. It entails 8 km (Half Mudder) or 16 km (Full Mudder) of mud and obstacles specifically designed to test the participants’ teamwork, toughness and endurance. And, according to Hermanus Chiropractor, Dr Chad Gordon, it’s a whole lot of fun! Chad was one of several Hermanus people who took part in this event, held at the Houwteq campus in the Elgin Valley on 19 October. Whether participating solo or in a team, all participants had to bring was the strength to leave their fears in the parking lot and a willingness to get out of their comfort zone and push their boundaries. “Obstacle races are a great way to get people off their couches and into the great outdoors,” says Chad, who is also an avid trail runner and mountain biker. “It’s about getting ordinary people to do extraordinary things.” Tough Mudder is a global initiative and Chad says he first participated in the event last year. He had so much fun that this year he took the whole family with him. “Obstacle courses are a great metaphor for life,” he says. “It’s all about overcoming obstacles and how to work in a team by supporting one another. There was even a blind woman who took part and she could do it because everyone helped her to
ABOVE: The top three Tough Mudders: Chad Gordon (2nd), Anele Bans (1st) and Tom Liebenberg (3rd). RIGHT: Chad's 12-year-old daughter, Liv Gordon on the monkey bars. accomplish her goal.” According to Chad, about 3 500 people took part in the Tough Mudder and set off in waves. The elite group went first, with Chad achieving second place against a tough group of professional obstacle athletes. When the rest of the field set off he did the whole course again, encouraging his wife and children along the way.
ADMINISTRATIEWE BEAMPTE/BOEKHOUER Huis Lettie Theron, Hermanus Huis Lettie Theron is ‘n program van Badisa, ‘n gesamentlike bedieningsaksie van die NG Kerk [Wes-Kaapland] en VGKSA [Kaapland]. Aansoeke van entoesiastiese, verantwoordelike en gemotiveerde persone word vir hierdie betrekking ingewag. Die aangewese kandidaat sal regstreeks aan die Bestuur verslag doen en verantwoordelik wees vir die volgende: • Gerekenariseerde boekhouding tot proefbalans • Finansiële administrasie (losies, subsidies en rekeninge) • Salaris administrasie • Opstel van begrotings • Uitbetaling van pensioene • Maandelikse opstel van finansiële verslae • Administratiewe- en sekretariële pligte Die ideale kandidaat sal beskik oor goeie menseverhoudinge, puik rekenkundige vaardighede, rekenaarvaardigheid, akkuraatheid, vermoë om teen hoë tempo te funksioneer, kennis van Pastel en VIP. ‘n Toepaslike naskoolse kwalifikasie sal tot voordeel van ‘n kandidaat strek. Ons bied ‘n onderhandelbare salaris, aangevul deur ‘n mediese en aftree skema, asook ruim verlof. Stuur ‘n volledige CV aan die onderstaande adres en dui aan vir watter pos u aansoek doen. Aansoeke sluit om 12 uur op 15 November 2019: Die Direkteur: Menslike Hulpbronne Privaatsak X8 Bellville, 7535 E-pos: mhb@badisa.org.za
The Half Mudder entailed 15 obstacles and the Full Mudder 24, comprising climbing walls, cargo nets, balance beams, monkey bars, mud pits and the like, with rather alarming names such as Sewer Rat, Berlin Walls, Escape from Alcatraz, The Block-Ness Monster, Trench Warfare and Mineshafted. “It’s a life-changing adventure,” laughs Chad, “which leaves you with a euphoric sense of achievement at the end.”
Chad points to the fact that not all children are good at traditional sports and for them, obstacle races offer something different and inspiring. He is so enthusiastic about this activity that he was instrumental in having an obstacle course implemented at Generation Schools Hermanus and is hoping that other schools will follow suit. – Hedda Mittner
