Category: Event Update!

Spring is here, which means it is time for the women of Johannesburg to take to the roads to prepare for the SPAR Women’s 10 kilometre Challenge at the Wanderers Sporting Club on Sunday 11 October.

The 10 kilometre Challenge and the five kilometre Fun Run have become an important part of the Johannesburg’s social running calendar, with thousands of women of all ages, and from all walks of life, taking part.

While Johannesburg cannot boast sparkling sea views, the Sonja Laxton-designed course winds its way through some of the City of Gold’s most beautiful suburbs. The 10 kilometre route takes the runners along Corlett Drive and Oxford Road as far as Riviera Road in Killarney, before zig-zagging back through some of Joburg’s leafiest suburbs. The five kilometre route meanders through the plush suburbs of Illovo, Melrose, Birdhaven and Atholl-Oaklands, giving runners and walkers a chance to peek at some of the most beautiful gardens in Johannesburg.

As always, there are some wonderful prizes on offer, in addition to the substantial cash prizes for the top 10 runners. There is a lucky draw for a SPAR voucher worth R15 000, the very popular Bring-a-Buddy competition, generous offers of computers and equipment for schools with the most entries, but the most exciting of all is that one lucky runner will win a brand new Suzuki Celerio motor car. But everyone is a winner on the day, with medals and goodie bags for the first 15 000 to cross the finish line. The first 15 000 to pre-register for the race will also receive a free race t-shirt.

“Our Women’s Challenge race is very important to us,” said SPAR South Rand marketing director Martin Webber. “We love our elite runners who are vying for Grand Prix points, and making sure that our races are truly competitive, but we believe the most important part of the races are the thousands of women of Joburg who take part just for fun.Women do the bulk of shopping at our stores, and we are very happy to be able to say thank you to them by providing them with a really enjoyable day out.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and proceeds from the Joburg Challenge will go to support awareness of cancers affecting women. Many women who have conquered breast cancer take part in the race every year, proudly sporting their pink ribbons.

The Joburg Challenge will be the final leg of the national five race SPAR Grand Prix series. Already this year races have been run in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Pretoria and the fight is on for the top season ending spot which will be finalized after the race in October.

Leading the Grand Prix is Lebogang Phalula who with a solid Joburg finish should walk away with the R150 000 top prize. However with a bunch of athletes challenging for second place on the Grand Prix leaderboard, nothing is guaranteed until after the Joburg race making the Joburg SPAR Women’s Challenge a race to watch.

There are just a few weeks before the race, but there’s still plenty of time to prepare for it. So jump out of bed, put on your training shoes, and get ready to take part in Joburg’s celebration of Spring.

There is something special on offer for all levels of fitness at the Jockey Trail Run/Walk which takes place at 6am on Sunday 14 December and officially opens the Annual Umhlanga Summer Festival 2014. If you are seasoned athlete or if you would simply enjoy a pleasant Sunday morning adventure – you are welcome to take part.

Great care has been taken in selecting the route in the 5km, 12km or 18km courses to ensure participants are treated to exceptional views, crossing shallow lagoons, bush and beach. This is not a race it is an experience. The 18km route will take entrants on an exciting new path to a beacon above the Umdloti Village where the outlook is expected to be breath taking.

All participants will receive special T-shirts which have been prepared with love by the ladies at Intaka Yempakamo Co-Operative in Durban. Jockey have been supporting Intaka for many years and offer their services to assist them in running a successful CMT.

Top athletes have already planned lining up at the start and include Thenjiwe Gumede (17) who is SA Cross Country Champion and came 1st in the youth category of the Soweton Marathon this year. Mbhasobni Gumede (17) who finished top 5 in the Soweto Marathon 2014. Lonwabo Mangwa who has many Oceans Marathons and Comrades Marathons under his belt. Lonwabo is the founder of the Inanda Qadi Athletics Club and coaches a lot of the rising stars of KZN.

The Jockey Trail Run will start and finish at the Millennium Stage on Umhlanga’s Main Beach. All refreshments will supported by Brookes, Powerade, GU and Just Juice. Winners will receive Jockey hampers and Jockey will also be donating over R15 000 worth of underwear to designated charities. Runners will be treated to spot prizes.

Garlai Combrinck (Jockey SA Marketing Associate) – “I have personally run and seen the great work the Riverside Trail and Umhlanga Tourism do in organising this Trail Run/Walk. They are sponsoring up to 50 emerging talented runners from around KZN to participate and it has been really super to see how the community can benefit from such a great event .”

On returning to the beach at the end of the course – participants can enjoy a relaxing day watching top South African surfers go head to head at the Lizzard Hurricane Surf Session 2014 where there will be FREE WIFI, further entertainment, zulu dancing and many prizes and exciting give aways for the entire family.

Please contact BUZZ BOLTON on [email protected] or enter through www.ROAG.co.za.

FALKE SPRING TRAIL RUN
Runners should diarise Sunday, 19 October when the third race in the Falke Trail Run Series will be hosted at L’Avenir Farm. The seasonal runs have proofed to be very popular, so get your entry in to join in the fun as entries will be limited at this new venue.

The first run event on this beautiful wine estate near Stellenbosch, promises to be an enjoyable event with the trail meandering through the vineyards and a flatter course than Dirtopia’s other trail runs against the slopes of Simonsberg.

Registration will start from 06h30 at the venue with the 11km race setting of at 08h15 followed by the 6km at 08h30. Pre enter before 14 October and qualify for a special entry fee of 6km – R70 and 11km – R90. Late entries (taken on event day) will cost 6km – R90 11km – R110. For race details email: [email protected] or visit www.dirtopia.co.za

FALKE LAUNCHES NEW AR2 SILVER RUNNER
Falke continues to push the boundaries of performance technology with the launch of a new Advance Run 2 (AR2) Silver Running sock.

The attention to detail in terms of quality, comfort and product innovation synonymous with the Falke brand, is once again inherent in the new AR2. By using ultrafine hi-tech performance yarns, knitted on high needle count knitting machines the AR2 offers quality, comfort and durability.

Falke’s trademark hand-linked, seamless toe reduces exposure to blisters and silver yarn assist in keeping your feet fresh and dry. Soft elastic arch support in the arch and ankle areas as well as the sensitive cuff and ankle elastication offers stability and support without constriction. The reinforced heel and toe areas with the distinctive fine cushioning ensure lasting durability on an essentially lite product.

Feet will stay cool and dry with the unique Falke Drynamix Moisture Management System that wicks away extra moisture from the skin assisted by specially constructed mesh panels to facilitate ventilation. Advanced Silver Fibre Technology with anti-microbial properties offers fungal protection.

The range is available in sizes 4-7 and 8-12 in White/ Grey, Grey/ Flu Lime, Black/ Blue and Pink selling at R50 per pair from leading retail outlets!

 

Take a run out Cape Town! Get your entries in here.

The Don Lock Memorial Road Race has always been an 8km event (formally 5 miler) and the shortest official race on the Road Running Calendar in the Western Cape, making it easily accessible to both registered athletes and fun runners / walkers alike.

In 2014, Celtic Harriers will be introducing a 15km road race option for those runners seeking a slightly longer race route.

The race started way back in 1960 by club member Alex Jones after his good friend Don Lock, also a Celtic member, was tragically killed in a motor car accident. This event is held between the Rondebosch Common – where it originally used to start and finish, and Imam Haron (formerly Lansdowne) Road in Claremont and is still held over the same course for all these years.
The first nine years were won by the Police athlete Willie Olivier, while the most wins scored by a woman belongs to Elana Meyer who also holds the women’s record at 25 minutes 35 seconds. The men’s record is 22 minutes 51 secs held by John September.

Among the male winners include Stellenbosch athlete, De Villiers Lamprecht, the first South African to run a sub 4 minute mile in South Africa while club mate Danie Malan held the world 1000 m record for many years. Other top women runners who have won this race include Monica Drögemoller, Isavelle Roche-Kelly and Juliet Prowse.

All participants will receive a race memorabilia giveaway as well as a FREE Modern Athlete.

 

Modern Athlete is very proud to bring you the official Comrades Marathon Pasta Party on Friday, 30 May. Join us for a pre-Comrades carbo-load. For more info & to secure your booking, click here.