How parkrun fosters community for retirees and newcomers in Fish Hoek

Fish Hoek’s weekly parkrun is more than just a 5km walk, jog, or run — for many local retirees and newcomers, it’s a lifeline to community, connection and purpose. 

And, according to parkrun Cape Peninsula event ambassador Richard Healy, the real magic isn’t in the running — it’s in the volunteering.

“Volunteering is the best part of parkrun,” said Mr Healy. “Without a second’s hesitation, I’d recommend it to anyone who’s recently moved into the area, who’s feeling a little lonely or lost, or who’s gone through big life changes — like the loss of a spouse, downsizing, or retirement.”

Mr Healy hopes more people in Fish Hoek will realise that parkrun offers more than exercise — it’s a way to make friends, feel part of something meaningful, and give back.

“There are so many people looking for something new in this phase of life. Volunteering is simple, uplifting, and there’s always support to help you get started," he said.

There’s no formal training or experience required, and roles range from cheering participants along the route as a marshal to helping at the finish line with timing or barcode scanning, to quieter tasks such as course setup, writing event reports, or taking photos.

Some roles, such as Tailwalker and Parkwalker, even allow you to volunteer and participate simultaneously.

“New volunteers are shown what to do, and we always support them on the day,” said Mr Healy.

“Even roles that need a smartphone and the parkrun app — like timekeeping — are easy to learn," he added.

The impact of volunteering is felt far beyond the finish line.

“A parkrun without marshals calling out encouragement just isn’t the same. There’s this feeling of belonging, of helping others, of being seen,” Mr Healy said. 

That sense of belonging is something Pauline Robins knows well. She moved to Fish Hoek in 2019 from Diep River and started attending parkrun just before lockdown.

“I didn’t know anyone there,” she said, “but now I know so many people and look forward to seeing them each week. Volunteering really helped me feel part of the community.”

Other long-time volunteers have built lasting friendships — including a group who call themselves the “Happy parkrun group,” which began as a simple WhatsApp chat and has since grown into a close-knit circle.

The Fish Hoek volunteer team includes a wide mix of people, from young children volunteering with their parents to seniors like Basil Murray, in the 90–94 age group, who has volunteered 56 times.

Another well-known figure is Neville Frieslich, who has set up and packed up the course nearly 437 times since parkrun began locally.

Then there’s Sam Giloi, a deaf volunteer who takes on roles like communications volunteer and Car Park Marshal.

“We recently celebrated his birthday using sign language. His presence shows how truly inclusive and welcoming Parkrun is,” Mr Healy said.

The team is always looking for new volunteers, especially retirees or those new to the area who are looking to connect.

“There’s no pressure. You can volunteer once or often, in any role you feel comfortable with,” Mr Healy added. “But I’ve found that many people start volunteering once and never stop — it’s that rewarding.”

Parkrun is a global community initiative that started in the UK more than 20 years ago and now has over 11 million registered participants. Weekly events are free, timed, and open to walkers, joggers, runners and volunteers alike.

In Fish Hoek, the event takes place every Saturday morning at the local sports fields.

For more information or to volunteer, visit www.parkrun.co.za or speak to the team at your next parkrun.