George parkrun is celebrating its 10-year anniversary on Saturday 6 April with a birthday bash at the Garden Route Botanical Garden.

"We are looking to get 1 000 participants on that day," said communications officer Wayne Ryder.

"George parkrun has had this incredible turnout before, and we hope to do this again on our tenth birthday. Tell the whole family - grandpas and grandmas included - to join us on Saturday 6 April and have a commemorative picture taken after participating. 

It's a real special event, so make the effort to get out of bed early and give your body, mind and soul a much-needed rest."

Everyone will gather at the garden and start at 08:00, as usual.

Flashback

With the launch of George's parkrun on Saturday 5 April 2014, over 340 participants enjoyed the 5km trail through the Garden Route Botanical Garden for the first time. 

The event was officially opened by nine-time Comrades winner Bruce Fordyce, as an international initiative. In South Africa, George was the 29th town to launch a parkrun.

At the starting line on 5 April 2014: Chantelle Liddell (left) and Bruce Fordyce (right) at the very first George parkrun at the Garden Route Botanical Garden. Photo: Ken Gie

Apart from Bryanston in Johannesburg, George had the biggest turnout at a launch in South Africa and the most registrations in one week in the world (for two weeks running).

Reporting on the event ten years ago, former George Herald journalist Pauline Lourens and Ken Gie took some lovely photos. Take a look at them online, under the community section, and see if you can spot yourself or your family at the very first George parkrun.

Former George Herald journalist Pauline Lourens (second from right) with some friends at the first event. Lourens and Ken Gie took photos of the parkrun's launch.

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