30 000 walkers turn Emmarentia pink

Walkers met at Marks Park for a walk with a purpose.

The 11th annual Avon Justine Ithemba Walkathon was held on 23 October and people gathered in their numbers to show their support for the awareness of breast cancer.

Internal Communications and CSR manager for Avon Justine, Vicky Saunders-Flaherty said the walk first began in 2006 at the Joburg Zoo with 500 people participating. “This year, we broke our previous record of 25 500 and had

30 000 people who participated in the walk,” she said, delightedly.

There were two walks, either a 5km or a 7.9km and walkers were excited to get going.

People gathered from all over the city to support the cause that would assist in breast cancer education and awareness. Walkers also had special names for the groups they walked in. Groups called themselves names such as The Survivors, the Most Fab Fitness and also Mpho’s Angels.

Saunders-Flaherty said everyone had fun and although it was a serious cause with a serious message, the atmosphere never lost its element of fun. She added that walkers showed up in their best pink outfits finished off with the signature pink lipstick. “Lots of fun was had during the day. People enjoyed good music and prizes and stalls around the park sold delicious food,” she said.

Apart from the walk, the day also had warm-up exercises conducted by Virgin Active instructors and there were spot prizes for the walkers to take home. Children also had their fun at the kiddies area. For pets, there was a dog walk, with water stations along the way.

Saunders-Flaherty said next year she hoped there would be even more participants with support garnered from more families and corporates too.

One of the walkers, Nelisiwe Ntombela said she enjoyed the walk immensely and loved dressing up in pink for the good cause.