Run through the hard-to-reach places of Joburg with Jura

Community members have a treat in store for them at the Hollard Jozi Urban Run Adventure (Jura) if the pre-run is anything to judge it by.

The Jura will be held on 24 August, and members of the media, bloggers, actors, athletes and other stakeholders were invited to a pre-run on 7 August.

While the main event has 6km, 12km and 18km routes, the pre-run took participants on its own 6km course through Joburg’s greenbelt in Emmarentia, Parkview, Greenside and parts of their neighbouring suburbs.

The runners were split into teams and had to climb ladders, cross bridges, complete a sack race, slide down hills, and plog (jog while picking up litter) among other activities, along the route.

“The Jura promises to be a fun day out for the family and each year it is held in nice spirits,” said Hollard’s head of group communications, Warwick Bloom.

“People get to see parts of Joburg they would not normally see.”

Bloom alluded to the storm water drains and hard-to-reach places in the greenbelt you cannot see from the street or even in the nearby parks.

Caxton Local Media journalist, Ofentse Moduka described the pre-run as lots of fun, and said runners can look forward to all the obstacles that are being built.

Samantha Dube from Dumbbells and Delights, said, “I was so fun and the obstacles were different from last year. My advice to people coming to do the real run is to not wear your best socks because they will get muddy.”

Swimmers, Brent Szurdoki and Kyle van Niekerk said the run was not too difficult but required a decent level of fitness.

“I would say people doing the run should focus on having fun and enjoy the environment,” Van Niekerk said.

“Watch your step while runnung but also enjoy the scenery.”

Natasha Kisten, a blogger for Fit Like Mummy, described the pre-run as amazing.

“We have done some obstacles, some running and walking so it is for everyone.

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