Journalists take part in Jura trial-run

Journalists often talk the talk, but they had to run the Jozi Urban Run Adventure (Jura) before they could report on the event.

Jura organisers hosted a media pre-run on 17 May, where journalists, bloggers, public relations officers and even Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo personnel were invited to complete a 6km stretch of the course.

The actual Jura has 6km and 12km routes that take runners from Marks Park Sports Club, Emmarentia, through the greenbelt that runs through (and under) the neighbouring suburbs, before returning to the club.

SEE: MULTIMEDIA: Jura not just a race but an adventure 

While many of the obstacles, bridges, tunnels, and scaffolding have not been installed yet, participants had their share of climbing ropes, balancing on beams, running through storm water drains and wading through rivers.

“We go places people in Joburg don’t normally see in their own city,” said race directory, Russell Willis. “The obstacles we have also make this different from trail runs, while it is also still easy and fun enough to enjoy as a family.”

He said the Jura keeps growing, and the third event will cater for between 3 000 and 5 000 people.

As the final obstacle was conquered, and the final stretch run, the participants shared stories of how they almost fell into the water or traversed the ‘nutcracker’ obstacle easily enough.

The overall impression was that even the 6km run will not be easy, but runners should opt to do the Jura at their own pace, and enjoy the scenery while they do so.

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