Sport and heritage come together
JOBURG - It is almost time for the fifth annual Jump City Challenge – the only time that you can race and explore Johannesburg city at the same time.
The Jump City Challenge is the adrenaline pumping inner-city challenge that is made up of a race, an obstacle course, and an amazing chance to learn more about Joburg.
The challenge doesn’t just allow participants to run to historically significant sites or around them, but rather takes people through, over and inside the city’s buildings, museums, office parks, stadiums and just about anything the organisers can think of, as opposed to passing by these interesting venues each day.
“It was born from the idea of being able to see and experience as much of your city as possible in a very exciting unparalleled manner,” said managing director of the challenge, Gavin Kearns.
While seeing the city is an interesting aspect, climbing ladders and stairs, weaving through lamp posts and using scaffolding for monkey bars is something rarely experienced in road races.
“The sport of parkour [a training discipline using movement that developed from military obstacle course training] was the original inspiration behind the Jump City Challenge, the idea of athletes moving freely in the city really appealed to our team,” said Kearns.
“But realising that we all aren’t born with wings or super humans that can spring from pillar to post with feline agility, we then designed a race that was tailored for all levels of fitness.”
This is really a challenge for those brave at heart. “We like to tell the athletes nothing is off limits, because when they get on route, the challenges and tasks take them beyond what they dreamed possible – be it climbing six storeys up the outside of a building or following a lifeline in the pitch black dark, four storeys underground, there is always something new and exhilarating to experience.”
Participants can take part in one of two running challenges: A six or 10km foot race, or take part in the dual challenge where participants take on a 15 to 20km mountain bike race and a 10km inner-city obstacle challenge.
Entries opened on 18 January so get your tickets today.
Details: www.jumpcitychallenge.com
