15th Lonehill Fun Run is a success
LONEHILL – Even the rugby couldn't keep the Lonehill community away from the fifteenth annual Betty Otter Charity Challenge on 28 July.
The Lonehill community got fit while having fun at the fifteenth annual Betty Otter Charity Challenge.
The event, hosted on 28 July in Lonehill, which used to be called the Lonehill Fun Run, was renamed this year in honour of Betty Otter of Otter Estates who passed away last year. About 800 runners participated in the 5km run around the Lonehill suburb, which started and ended at Crawford College Lonehill in Concourse Crescent. It was a fun day out in the sun.
“I’m really happy with the turnout today, even the rugby [match between the Lions and the Waratahs] didn’t keep people away,” said Christopher Otter, son of Betty and from the company which sponsored the event.
“We’re expecting between 800 and 900 participants this year, and all the money raised through the fun run will be donated to charity.
“The money will be split between two organisations, the Lonehill Residents Association [LRA’s] Envirofund, who will use it to maintain the green spaces in the area. The other organisation which will share the proceeds is the Philile Foundation, which supports a number of early childhood development centres in the Diepsloot area.”
Christopher added that his mother, the late Betty Otter, had absolutely loved the suburb of Lonehill and was particularly fond of the annual fun run event, hence the name change.
This year was also the second year in a row that Crawford College Lonehill were involved with the community event, serving as venue for the day.
“We are the school in the community, and this partnership was the perfect fit,” explained Robyn Swanepoel of the school. “Today our kids are also participating – a group of learners from Grade 11 along with their teacher Ms van Rooyen are running as a grade, which is lovely.
“We also have a number of children raising funds as well. The water polo girls team is selling cold drinks in order to raise funds for two upcoming sports tours around South Africa, and the netball and hockey teams are raising funds for a team trip overseas.”
The race was marshalled by Fitness From Africa on the day and Norwegian André Loseth completed the 5km course first. “I actually have a bit of the flu, but decided to try running today anyway,” explained Loseth, who recently moved into the area.
“My time was 17.05, and I wanted to come today to get to meet the community, this is a nice place to live.”
Second place went to John Ramphele and third place was awarded to Zama Zugu from Fitness From Africa.
Details: www.lonehill.info
