ENTRIES FLOOD IN FOR URBAN OBSTACLE RACE

Cousins Micaela Zoetmulder and Helen Lloyd won the best dressed competition last year, typifying the fun of the event.

The popularity of one of the largest charity social sports events on the Eastern Cape sporting calendar, the Nelson Mandela Bay Urban Run, is growing gauging by the number of entries having already been received ahead of the event on the last weekend of September.

The Nelson Mandela Bay Urban Run, hosted by the MBDA to highlight urban renewal in the CBD, has enjoyed significant growth on the social calendar, not only providing a fun obstacle race for children and adults but also offering a great spectacle which draws thousands to the city centre on race weekend and it's great to see an increasing number of participants in  "fancy dress" who are inspired to dress up in costumes as unwieldy as the course itself.

With just under 2,000 participants expected to ‘Tackle the City’ for charity over the weekend 26th and 27th September any notion that this is only for runners is quickly forgiven when one witnesses the large number of participants in fancy dress costumes ranging from superheros to fully kitted out firemen.To further encourage this, the organisers have secured cash prizes for the best dressed groups with R3,000 up for grabs in the adult race and R1,000 cash in the kids race.

"The Urban Run is not a race to determine the fastest athlete in town, it is an event that is fun and suitable for people of all ages." says race organiser Mike Zoetmulder, "It offers participants the urban feel of the city whilst taking them to places within the CBD they probably haven’t been to before and most importantly it is an event that tries to make a massive difference to the community through funds raised for the nominates charities that represent those with bigger challenges in life. Whether completing the obstacle course in 30 minutes or 3 hours, the real difference is made by the donations which are raised and the legacy this unique event has on the city."

Zoetmulder encourages participants to take advantage of the discounted entry fees of R150 for adults and R100 for children as these will be increasing from the 1st September. As is the tradition and culture of the Urban Run, all participants are also required to raise a minimum of R100 for Cheshire Home (adult race) and Reach for a Dream (kids race) in a fun initiative which is rewarded with 4 different levels of goody bags and starting batches.

Entries into the event are limited to ensure maximum enjoyment for all the participants through the numerous obstacles and entries will close as soon as the quota has been reached. Online entries and further information available on www.UrbanRun.co.za with manual entries possible at Caltex Toby’s Motors in 8th Avenue Walmer.