Using running as a way to spend quality time together, Daleen Potgieter and her 16-year-old daughter Danette have signed up to the Townsville Podiatry Centre Mother’s Day Fun Run and Walk and will be joining families of all fitness levels to celebrate our much-loved mums and raise funds for the McGrath Foundation.
“Some mums and daughters go shopping and get their nails done together, but we like getting active” – Danette Potgieter
“It’s a chance to do something together that we enjoy,” says Danette, who juggles three run sessions a week with netball, boxing and walks with Daleen and the dogs. “I love running because it gives you the freedom and serenity — plus you can run anywhere you like without any special equipment — you just need yourself and your shoes.”
Daleen has run all her life, like her daughter, preferring the shorter distances of 5km, but has tackled a few 10km events to test the body. She’s happy to go at her own pace, but admits often her competitive streak takes over and she finds herself pushing to go “faster, faster, faster” despite the consequences.
Having a ball at Color Run 2015.
“I love the endorphins,” she says. “In saying that, I’m not such a fan of the sore legs! I’ve never done a half marathon or anything — life’s too short to run for over an hour (laughs)! My motto is to just stick to the distances that you have time for. I don’t train for the 5km events, but my general fitness gets me by [Daleen is a spin instructor at Strand Fitness].”
While the rest of the family is sporty – Daleen’s son de Wet is into rugby union and rowing and her husband (de Wet senior) enjoys weights in the home gym — they won’t be joining the girls for the Mother’s Day festivities.
“This will be a great mother-daughter event for us,” Danette says with a grin. “Some mums and daughters go shopping and get their nails done together, but we like getting active.” Danelle agrees: “It needn’t be doing something intense — just walking is fine. At least then you can have a good chat and build that connection, without getting a stitch!”
Daleen and Danette’s favourite Townsville running locations:
Get involved
Hosted by Townsville Road Runners; the Townsville Podiatry Centre Mother’s Day Fun Run and Walk is on Sunday, May 8, 2023 at 7.30am. You can walk, run or jog the 5.2km from Rossiter Park in Aitkenvale. The entry cost is $10 for adults and $5 for school students – you can register and pay on the day from 6.30am. Children under five years are free. The nominated charity for this event is the McGrath Foundation.
Can’t do this one? There are lots of great running events throughout the rest of the year. Discover what’s on in the region in our Events Calendar.
