JOHANNESBURG - Parkrun South Africa reached an incredible milestone on Saturday.
The country's very first event was held at Delta Park in Johannesburg on 12 November 2011.
Runners and walkers alike celebrated the 500th right where it all began.
Parkrun South Africa president Bruce Fordyce said 26 people showed up for the first event.
"It's awe-inspiring thinking as we speak that at 200 venues around South Africa, there are people gathering to parkrun in the deserts, on the beaches, close to the national parks, in the cities, in the townships, so that's also the magic of parkrun," he said.
Every parkrunner is asked to volunteer four times per year.
* eNCA's Genée White reports.