By Adnaan Mohamed
The runners are coming for the money! Forget the Sunday stroll. Forget the gentle jog. When the gun goes bang at the Boxer Super Run, the streets will become a five-kilometre cash battlefield, with R294 400 waiting to be snatched in Durban and Johannesburg.
That is a serious carrot for athletes prepared to run like their takkies are on fire. Each city carries a R147 200 prize purse, with the fastest elite man and woman pocketing R20 000 apiece.
And the stampede is already guaranteed. Both events are SOLD OUT.
The Boxer Super Run brings its turbocharged 5km circus to Durban on Sunday, 18 October, before rolling into Johannesburg on Sunday, 15 November.
For the elite runners, this is where the smiles stop and the stopwatch starts talking.
“The 5km is one of the most exciting distances in road running because it demands a unique combination of speed, endurance and race strategy,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports.
“For elite athletes, every second counts, making for an incredibly competitive and compelling race.”
Every second will indeed be worth its weight in gold.
The R147 200 purse in each city will be spread across the Elite and Open Wave categories, with the top eight men and women in the Elite Race earning prize money.
The Open Wave has its own pot of temptation, with the top three men and women in every age category, from Junior to 70+, eligible for prize money.
Meyer says the event is helping put short-distance road running firmly in the spotlight.
“The Boxer Super Run continues to elevate the profile of short-distance road running by creating meaningful opportunities for athletes to compete, perform and be recognised for their achievements.”
Lee-Ann Pillay, Head of Marketing at Boxer Superstores, says the money is about rewarding grit, talent and determination.
“By offering an impressive prize purse of R147 200 in each city, we’re proud to recognise the dedication, determination and talent of South Africa’s elite athletes,” says Pillay.
“We hope this added incentive inspires athletes to push themselves and give their best on race day.”
Then there is the carnival.
The Super Social Wave will unleash costumed runners, groups, companies and charities onto the roads between 08:00 and 09:30, bringing enough colour and craziness to make the average running club look like a bunch of undercover accountants.
Pillay wants them to stay for the main event.
“We encourage our Open and Super Social Wave runners to stick around after their own race, get behind the elites and soak up the excitement as they battle it out on the streets of Durban and Johannesburg.”
“It’s a great opportunity to witness world-class racing up close and be part of the atmosphere.”
Durban’s elite women go at 09:45, followed by the men at 10:00. Joburg follows the same schedule, with its 1km Kids Race at 10:30.
The runners get the performance T-shirt, goodie bag, timing chip, on-route experience and finisher’s medal.
The elite stars get something sweeter.
R20 000.
Five kilometres.
One furious dash.
And enough cash to make every painful stride count.
Ready, steady, CASH!