Boomerang Project: Celebrating Twenty Years of Parkrun's Power

16 November 2024
FANIE KRIGE, Solid Stuff Media Agency - Betty's Bay parkrun is a perfect example of the international phenomenon that celebrated its twentieth anniversary in October, continuing to grow and thrive. From humble beginnings with thirteen participants at Bushy Park, London, parkrun has expanded to millions of runners at 2,500 venues across 23 countries.

It is a free, community event known for its positive, welcoming, and inclusive environment where participants can walk, jog, run, volunteer, or spectate. There is no time limit, and no one finishes last. The system rewards continuous participation and volunteer efforts with special icons for those who have completed 25, 50, 100, 250, and 500 runs or duties.

About a month ago, the parkrun community in Betty's Bay, consisting of around 150 regular participants and 24 volunteers, learned about the 10 Boomerangs Project. Launched by South Beach parkrun near Fremantle in Western Australia, this unique endeavour involves sending boomerangs to different parkruns around the world. All boomerangs come with instructions for recipients to document their events with photos, fostering a sense of unity and shared adventure among the global parkrun community.

Boomerang 3 was taken from the Harold Porter Botanical Garden in Betty's Bay to the Botanical Gardens parkrun in Pretoria, coinciding with their breast cancer awareness day. It returned to Somerset West two weeks later and then travelled to Bredasdorp, from where it was taken to the Atlasville parkrun in Gauteng. It now accompanies Willem Scholtz to Uvongo in KwaZulu-Natal, where he hopes to find an overseas runner to continue its journey abroad.

Another boomerang, B5, currently making its rounds in South Africa, is now in the hands of Marelise Stodart-Lochner, who is heading for Cape Town from the Voortrekker Monument parkrun. On her way, she attended the Afrikaans is Groot Musical Festival in Pretoria. Before this week's handover, B5 spent a few weeks in KwaZulu-Natal, showcasing the amazing nature reserves and wildlife there.

The 10 Boomerangs project has already generated incredible posts, photos, and connections, embodying the true spirit of this global adventure. Despite losing track of some boomerangs, organizers remain hopeful they will eventually return to South Beach near Fremantle, Western Australia. For more details and to follow the boomerangs' journey, visit the 10 Boomerangs Facebook Page.

This project demonstrates that parkrun can play a significant role in promoting sustainable tourism by encouraging eco-friendly practices and fostering community stewardship among participants. By hosting events in scenic locations such as nature reserves, botanical gardens and heritage sites, parkrun draws attention to conservation and promotes cultural events. Participants often stay longer and explore the surrounding region, boosting local economies and supporting small businesses.

Parkrun's ethos of inclusivity and volunteerism also helps fostering a culture of respect and care for natural environments, ensuring that the impact of tourism is minimized.

Additionally, parkrun events can serve as a platform for educating participants about sustainable practices, such as reducing waste, using public transport, and supporting local conservation efforts. This collective effort not only enhances the visitor experience but also contributes to the preservation and appreciation of beautiful tourist destinations.