Durban may have opted out of hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2022 but its parkruns are thriving. Around 700 turned up for Saturday’s at Umhlanga, six Nimmos amongst them: Anne and baby Isla to spectate; Camus, Sara-Jane, Ailish and myself to run.
Durban had been cold and wet when we arrived on Thursday, but Saturday was hot and sunny. I joined the field in my usual position near the back, just in front of the prams, small children and a couple of dogs. That was a mistake, for when we set off I found myself in a dense pack of barely-trotters. It took me three or four minutes to break free of them and actually start running: acceptable perhaps in a marathon but not in a 5k. The chance of a good time long gone I was able to enjoy the course, along the seafront and back, with a cooling breeze sweeping the breakers towards us.
The results came as a pleasant surprise: Camus was 14th overall in 21:15 (second M30-34), Sara-Jane second F30-34 in 25:40, Ailish first F25-29 in 30:31 (despite having been boxed in at the start) and myself first M75-79 in 37:36. That was my slowest parkrun ever by some margin – and the only time I can recall actually finishing in the top half of the field.
One reason for the large turn-out of modest runners is that completing the race earns one reward point in the Discovery Vitality scheme, which is a “wellness programme that encourages, facilitates and rewards you as you get healthier”. Is that something we in Scotland might investigate?
Ian Nimmo