If you’re looking for a race with a few obstacles that you, your friends and even your children can run, the Hollard Jozi Urban Run Adventure or Jura is for you.
On 27 May, the second annual Jura will start at Marks Park Sports Club and allows runners to choose from 6km, 12km and, for the more adventurous, 18km all the way to Alberts Farm and back. The Jura precedes the Juma, Jozi Urban Mountain bike Adventure, that takes place a day later.
On 18 May, a trial-run was held for the adventurous media to try out 7km of the route, and several of the obstacles. Journalists, bloggers and radio personalities took on the run with much enthusiasm.
Northcliff Melville Times sports editor Nicholas Zaal conquers one of the Jura obstacles.
Northcliff Melville Times sports editor, Nicholas Zaal, completed the pre-run and said it was true to its name.
“It was indeed a great adventure,” he said. “The wading through rivers, climbing ropes and traversing obstacles along the way made this more than just another run on the street. We really got in touch with nature, and had time to enjoy the scenery and birdlife in our parks and spruits.”
Alistair Cronk closes in on the race’s halfway point.
Co race-director Russell Willis said the Jura was a trail run with obstacles, not an obstacle course.
“Joburg is the biggest urban jungle in the world, so we want people to get out and use the parks,” he said. “Most races are far out of town where you have to travel and leave your family behind. It is not always family inclusive. This is why we wanted to bring Juma and Jura into the city.”
According to Kelly Fraser, Jura’s spokesperson, the Jura will start and end at Marks Park. Runners will make their way towards conquering various obstacles such as the 50m bum slide, hay bale hell, mielie sack jumping, crawling under roads through tunnels and much more.
It’s all fun and games on one of the obstacles.
Willis’ co-director, Mark Castel, said this year they have made an effort to improve the route to eliminate any confusion.
In partnership with Joburg City Parks and Zoo, who prepared the course, entries for the race are already open and close on the morning of the race.
Jani du Toit on the first obstacle.Race directors Mark Castel and Russell Willis expect about 3 000 runners to participate in this year’s Jura.
