Runners enjoy scenic race

A beautiful morning greeted 2 300 community members as they took to the road for a scenic run through Knopjeslaagte and its surrounding suburbs.

The Midrand Striders 21km and Cova Advisory 10km have been around for three decades but returned to Inanda Country Base for just the third year on 18 August, and included a 5km fun run through the picturesque venue.

Loads of young children were seated in prams or on the shoulders of their parents to make it a true family event.

Upon completion of the run, participants found themselves in the heart of the Inanda Country Base, in a finish area surrounded by food stalls and gazebos belonging to different running clubs.

A scrumptious braai was also enjoyed by those who remained afterwards. “The highlight is the day itself, the enjoyment that we see from people who have never run before tackling the 5km run, and tackling quite an arduous 10km and 21km route,” said run co-organiser, Brian May.

“The uniqueness of this race… is that it is very much in the country. With Joburg being so built-up, one is not running on busy roads and we are quite proud of the fact that this unique venue for us is going to build our race.”

May said the club aims to find a sponsor for next year’s 21km run, but the beautiful venue and hard work organisers put in should see the run grow to 3 000 runners in the next few years.

“We would like to retain this venue because we believe it is quite special. We are hoping that what profit we make, we can actually put back into the club in terms of development runners among other things.”

He added that the club had been planning the run for three of four months and all the hard work paid off when organisers noticed some ‘celebrity’ elite runners on the road.

Details: Midrand Striders

info@midrandstriders.org.za

Related Article: 

https://www.citizen.co.za/midrand-reporter/211680/midrand-striders-needs-help-to-host-running-race/