Run for Hope attracts 900 runners to Westcliff
WESTCLIFF – The Run for Hope attracts 900 community members to the streets of Westcliff as all proceeds go to charity.
Running is good for your health but running for a good cause is even better.
About 900 community members did this when they ran 5km and 7.5km routes through the streets of Westcliff and its surrounding suburbs at the Run for Hope.
Warm weather greeted runners at the fourth annual event at Hope School on 8 September; the smiles on the faces of all those present made wider by the fact that all proceeds from the run go to CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation.
The foundation provides support to children and the families of children who are affected by cancer.
Run itself proved a hit with families as young and old ran together and many babies were pushed in prams.
Dogs also ran on leads, keeping up with their owners easily thanks to their excitement.
“Every year our run gets bigger and better,” said Natalie Harrison, public relations and communications manager at Four Seasons Hotel The Westcliff, which hosted the run.
“We want runners to do stuff for a food cause. Many ran with children’s pictures on their shirts or ran for family and friends who have cancer. They did not just run for themselves.”
Harrison said at the first run in 2016, about R50 000 was raised for charity. In the next two years, R75 000 and R225 000 were raised, respectively.
“We are still counting how much we raised this year but we have definitely raised more than last year.”
She added that the run will continue to grow in the coming years.
“Next year we will raise more money and get more sponsors. We want people to stay after the run so we will see if we can get a live band and have food and drink stalls as well.”
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