Parkrun Umhlanga, Durban

Finally, I’ve done my first Umhlanga parkrun – those free, timed 5K runs that are held every Saturday morning in hundreds of cities all over the world. The Umhlanga one starts from the grassy area just opposite the pier, no more than 500 metres from the front door of our flat in The Oysters. So, why has it taken me so long to get around to doing it?

All ready to go - at the start of the Umhlanga parkrun in McCausland Crescent, just opposite Umhlanga Pier — All ready to go – at the start of the Umhlanga parkrun in McCausland Crescent, just opposite Umhlanga Pier

Photo taken by a friendly and chatty co-runner after my first Umhlanga parkrun

Saturday morning runs have never been my forte, and I know exactly why that’s so. It goes back to 25 years ago, when I first joined Alf Burgess’s Run/Walk For Life club at the Bulwer Road Primary School field. Our Monday and Wednesday after-work sessions at 5pm were fine – but I always struggled through the Saturday at 7am runs.

In fact, I used to believe I was congenitally unsuited to morning runs – but that’s all nonsense, of course: you can run at any time; it’s mostly about what you get used to. The sole reason I battled with Saturday at 7am was that I was always more-or-less hungover.

I can admit that now, having been forced to sober up over the years (mainly at the insistence of my liver). On the Friday eve of my first Umhlanga parkrun, we’d gone along to the early show of the new Woody Allen (Café Society) at Gateway Cineplex, followed by no more than a couple of glasses of red at Col’Cacchio Pizzeria and bed by 10.30pm.

Umhlanga Pier. generally loathed by locals who regard it as a blot on the previously pristine beachscape - except for the fishermen who use it to get closer to their potential catch — Umhlanga Pier. generally loathed by locals who regard it as a blot on the previously pristine beachscape – except for the fishermen who use it to get closer to their potential catch

The sea's been wild and woolly of late, but that doesn't deter the holidaymakers — The sea’s been wild and woolly of late, but that doesn’t seem to deter the holidaymakers

Having done my debut parkrun at the branch in Bromley, Kent with my sister Dale (blogpost dated 2 August, 2016), and other three at Reading, opposite where our Dutch barge Karanja is moored at the Thames & Kennet Marina, it was interesting to compare the three experiences.

This one’s mainly along the beautiful, winding, brick-paved Umhlanga promenade, my regular route when we’re home in South Africa; the two English ones are flatter, and mainly on grass and dirt. The spirit is similar – sponsors are mentioned, volunteers are thanked and milestone achievements such as a runner’s 50th or 100th parkrun are applauded. Like the Bromley one (and unlike the Reading one, it must be said), everyone is genuinely friendly, as South Africans tend to be. I’m biased, of course.

Having come 80th out of 449 runners, and second in my age group, I was fairly happy with my time, too. And who knows? I might improve on it this coming Saturday morning. That largely depends on how boozy this Friday night’s Happy Hour (complete with braai-ed boerewors rolls, yay) at my mother’s retirement complex turns out to be. Cheers!