It’s time to run

The 22nd annual Northgate Road Race is happening this Sunday, 8 July, and if you have left it to the last minute to enter, don’t worry, there’s still time to join in the fun.

Pre-entries closed on 4 July, and for those who pre-entered, your packs will be outside Entrance 4 at Northgate Shopping Centre on Saturday between 9am and 3pm, or on the morning of the race from 6am.

For everyone else, you can still enter on the day of the race at Entrance 4 at the shopping centre from 6am.

The starting gun will fire at 7.30am for the 5km and 10km race, and at 7.40am for the 10km walk.

The 10km run is known to be a relatively easy one and a good warm-up after the Comrades Marathon.

Phillimon Mathiba of Nedbank was the first to cross the line last year in just 00:31:00!

He said the race was easy and he had prepared well for it.

Mamorallo Tjoka was the first woman to finish in 00:37:26.

Also read: The Northgate Road Race is back https://www.citizen.co.za/randburg-sun/347570/the-northgate-road-race-is-back/

The race attracts some of the best junior and senior talent in Gauteng.

The minimum age to run the 10km race is 13, while children of any age may run the 5km fun run and every year sees more families taking part. Even babies in prams are welcome to take part!

Last year, Cecilia Rootenberg (91 years young at the time) proved there is no excuse not to run when she finished the 10km as the most senior runner on the day. She has confirmed she will again run again this year.

Motorists, although there won’t be any road closures, there will traffic marshalls from the JMPD as well as the Roodepoort Athletics Club stationed throughout the 5km and 10km routes to direct traffic in areas where single lanes might be used by the runners. The race will wrap up around 9am.

R5 from every entry will be donated to Mother of Peace orphanage and the Lighthouse Baby Shelter.

Last year, about R14 000 was raised!

Wimpy will open before the crack of dawn on the day of the race to make sure there is ample coffee, hot chocolate and cappuccinos to warm up runners before the race. After the race, they will be ready to serve a warm toasty breakfast for anyone who wants to refuel.

Prizegiving is held at 9am when all the shops and restaurants at Northgate will be open should you wish to get your shopping done.

And don’t forget that the fun and interactive Earth Keepers holiday campaign for the kids will also be open at the centre from 11am until 3pm in the Cotton On court. It’s free, fun and will teach them how to make smoothies, recycle waste and planting herbs, veggies and flowers!

Also read: Little ones will ‘dig’ these fun holiday activities at Northgate https://www.citizen.co.za/randburg-sun/347974/little-ones-will-dig-these-fun-holiday-activities-at-northgate-2/

Details: Northgate Shopping Centre 011 794 1687, Charlie 082 770 1143, Natalie 076 233 1532.

Also read: Northgate Road Race sees record numbers in 21st edition https://www.citizen.co.za/randburg-sun/325466/northgate-road-race-sees-record-numbers-in-21st-edition/