During a media briefing recently the Polokwane Provincial Hospital’s Paediatric Oncology Ward was named as beneficiary of the SA Run for Cancer Ultra Marathon scheduled to take place on 28 October in Polokwane.
The event, hosted by SA Run for Cancer, was attended by various role players including Health MEC Phophi Ramathuba, Sports, Arts and Culture MEC Onicca Moloi, Department Head of Health, Peter Kgapole, Provincial Hospital Management and Corrie Calitz, Representative of Polokwane Athletics Club and Polokwane Run Walk for Life.
In her opening address, SA Run for Cancer Event Coordinator Otshepeng Seeletse exlained the aim of the race to be supporting victims affected by Cancer and promoting a healthy lifestyle among citizens in South Africa.
She also said that as Polokwane is the host city for this event, the Polokwane Provincial Hospital Ward L (TLC ward) will be the beneficiaries as authorised by the Limpopo Departement of Health.
Ramathuba addressed the crowd and said that the Department of Health has declared 2017 as the year to lead a healthy lifestyle and encouraged the public to exercise regularly and to engage in community events like the marathon to minimise the chance of contracting diseases.
During her address, Moloi encouraged the community to take part in the event and live a healthy lifestyle. She also said that the ultramarathon will promote awareness for cancer and cohesion between different runners and that she will be partaking in the event.
She further said that the 48 km race has an entry fee of R265, 32 km race is R205, the 21 km race will cost runners R170, for the 10 km race runners will pay R165 and for 5 km fun run will have an entry fee of R60.
The 48 km race will start near the Mokopane Toll Gate on the R101, the 32 km close to Weenen Bricks on the R101, the 21 km close to the Protea Hotel Ranch Resort while the 10 km
and 5 km races will start at the Polokwane Cricket Club. All races are scheduled to start at 06:00 and will finish at the Cricket Club.
The R101 will be closed from 05:00, she explained.
For information on the event and registration SA Run for Cancer’s website can be visited at www.sarun4cancer.co.za.
Story and photos: THINUS DU TOIT
>>thinus@observer.co.za
