Christine Steenekamp: 100 Parkruns, 100 Lessons in Life 

When Christine Steenekamp crossed the finish line of her 100th Parkrun, it was not just a milestone, it was a living testimony to resilience, love, and the power of community. 

She remembers the beginning vividly: “The fresh air and walking kept me sane,” she says, recalling how Parkrun became her anchor after personal loss. What started as a way to stay young in body and mind soon blossomed into something far greater. 

Along the route, Christine found companionship and even love. “I never thought I would find love, and yet we literally walked into it,” she reflects. Together with her partner, she now plans, volunteers, and encourages others, proving Parkrun is more than a Saturday ritual, it is a shared journey. 

Her family has been woven into this story too. Her daughter‑in‑law walked faithfully through pregnancy, her grandchildren proudly cheer her on, and her son works hard while knowing his mother is inspiring the next generation. “My grandchildren love to tell people that their nana won’t get old and lifeless,” Christine laughs. 

There were tough days, like the steep Pine Forest course, but she never gave up. “Rain, hail, sunshine, wind, we did it,” she recalls of her determination to reach 100. And there were funny ones too, like slipping in the mud at Rietvlei. “It took me 20 minutes to stop laughing.” 

For Christine, Parkrun is proof that age is no barrier. “One is never too old or too young to come and run or walk,” she insists. Now, with her eyes set on 200, she continues to inspire Welkom’s Parkrun family, one step, one smile, one story at a time.

(Berig deur Lien Fouchè)