Talitakum, a non-profit organisation based in Welgedacht, hosted a Keep Fit 5km run/walk in commemoration of Youth Day, in Welgedacht, on Friday.
Although the focus was originally aimed at children aged between eight and 14, other teenagers and adults also lined up for the race at 8am.
The top 10 athletes received gold medals.
Mthokozili Mamhlangu was the first runner to finish and won a cake donated by a local business.
Founder of Talitakum Moatlhodi Pitse (46) says the event was well organised will all the safety standards in place.
“In order for us to build and support young children, we need the entire community,” says Pitse.
He has been doing charity work for the past 10 years, but only registered Talitakum in 2015.
Talitakum’s vision is “Every young girl and boy living a happy, fulfilled and restored life”.
The organising committee, made up of volunteer community members from all walks of life, had the event start and end in James Street.
“We had about 90 people in attendance but only 71 could take part, given other responsibilities as well as for safety reasons,” says Pitse.
The committee appreciates the support of the EMPD and their emergency and safety team, led by Mmathapelo Mlotshwa and Zanele Sibanyoni.
Pitse says these two people made sure the participants, the majority children, were safe and well taken care of in terms of emergencies.
“We appreciate the role played by professional runners who took time to encourage the younger athletes,” says Pitse.
He says this event demonstrated everyone can have fun with their children while providing them with life skills, inspiration to unleash their potential and even exposing them to lifetime opportunities, such as entering competitive spaces.
“We would like to thank our sponsors and parents for their support as well as our organising committee for all their hard work to make this day a success,” says Pitse.
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