Explore city on the run

AFTER its great success last year, The Herald Urban Run will return this Tourism Month – once again drawing runners and adventurers from all around to participate in the ‘urbanathlon’ – taking them on a journey through some of the city’s urban sights and attractions while raising money for charity.

“Events like the urban race are what our city thrives on. The race shows off several of our inner-city attractions – exposing tourists to a part of our city that abounds with history, art and heritage,” said Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) CEO, Mandlakazi Skefile.

The event, which had its first ‘run’ last year, expects to see hundreds of athletes from around the Eastern Cape descend on Nelson Mandela Bay again this year.

The city footrace starts and finishes at the iconic Donkin Reserve, also known as the ‘beacon of the bay’ takes place September 16th. It takes competitors through the Central Business District (CBD) of the city along with part of the heritage trail Route 67 and includes iconic sights such as Fort Frederick.

Nelson Mandela Bay’s CBD has become one of the front runners in respect of urban renewal, this race calls for tourists and locals to bear witness to the urban transformation for themselves.

“The 10.5km urban obstacle race is for social fun runners who are looking for something a little different,” said event organizer, Michael Zoetmulder.

“By its very nature, an Urban Run is a multi-disciplinary, city foot race with the emphasis squarely on having fun. Urban obstacles are designed in such a way as to get the social runner sweating and smiling while taking in the city’s surrounds”

The race, established last year by local sports events company, Zports, raised R40 000 last year and is hoping to  increase that to R100 000 this year. Businesses along the route are encouraged to become involved and lend their support to the event.

Organisers say Port Elizabeth has set the benchmark for urban runs in South Africa and September’s event will see no fewer than 15 exciting and challenging urban obstacles along the route that will require skills such as jumping, rolling and even wall scaling.

“There will also be a health expo at the Donkin Reserve the weekend of the race. Whether you are participating in the race or going to the expo, Donkin Reserve is the place to be the weekend of the 16th,” said Skefile.

Enter online at www.urbanrun.co.za at just R100 (early bird entries) till the end of next month. Manual entry forms available from sports shops or from the Zports offices on North End Lake.