A man at the parkrun in Roodepoort is making a name for himself… He is everyone’s biggest fan and helps encourage them over the finish line.
Parkrun is the new it fitness craze, people love getting up early on a Saturday and heading to their nearest park to take part in the social 5km. It happens every single Saturday thanks to help of volunteers and it totally free to the public.
Recently at the Roodepoort parkrun, someone filmed an overly-enthusiastic guy shouting encouragements at people coming up to the finish line. He gave out high-fives and even let people know when they were being overtaken.
“So I run Parkrun weekly now, and this gentleman stands at the end and is everyone’s number 1 fan. He should be in the Nike adverts!” – Ashleigh Laurent
People have found his actions thoroughly entertaining and wish that he could be at their races, urging them forward.
“Haha I saw him at the parkrun today too and he totally made my day.” – Sarah-Leigh Van Zyl
“Who is this gentlemen, what a fantastic human being. We need more men like him” – Graham Howard
“Every Parkrun needs him!!!” – Ruan Smith
“Love it!! What a star!! Brought such a smile to my face!!” – Katherine Quann Brown
In the end, Amy Vorster came forward with the encouraging hero’s name, Pascal Simba.
“I think his name is Simba. I love doing Parkrun when he’s there, when I feel like there’s nothing left he gets me running again”
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