SHELLY BEACH CREW SIGNS UP FOR THE WEEKLY UVONGO 5KM PARK/RUN

As a way of increasing the fitness levels of the crew at Shelly Beach, a number of them signed up for the weekly 5km Park/Run from St Mike’s beach to Uvongo Beach and back, running the first one last Saturday.Pioneered in South Africa by Comrades legend, Bruce Fordyce, the Park/Run concept has taken off all over South Africa. It is a free, timed 5km walk or run. The idea is to get people outdoors and moving to improve wellness and fitness. It is run by volunteers who serve as marshals and time-keepers – not to mention motivators.The Uvongo Park/Run was established about a year ago and attracts about 160 runners and walkers each Saturday.Duty Coxswain Jeremiah Jackson led an initial group of six crew members and trainees on the first run last Saturday.“It was a very good experience. Hopefully this will inspire more of our crew members to get involved”, he said.“We can achieve three objectives by getting involved – we increase our own fitness and wellness levels, we raise local awareness of Sea Rescue by wearing crew shirts and shorts and we support a local initiative run by volunteers”, he added.