The atmosphere was electric as family and friends, accompanied by their four-legged companions, waited eagerly for the Springs Mall Pet Friendly Fun Run to begin on Saturday morning.
Participants enjoyed the pumping music from the fun truck as they counted down to the 9am start of the 4.2km fun run/walk.
Animal water points and human hydration points were set up along the route.
Springs Mall marketing manager Amoret D’Arrigo says the turnout for the event was great.
“Our pet run was awesome and I’m happy that families and their pets supported us.
“I’m definitely looking forward to hosting more family run events that include our four-legged friends,” says D’Arrigo.
Local gym staff assisted as race marshals on the day.
They encouraged all the participants as they neared the finish line.
More than 150 two-legged participants and their four-legged friends were awarded Springs Mall medals.
Dr Mpesh and Tucker gave a surprise hip-hop/kwaito performance of their song Faki Bhodlela to end the morning on a high note.
Samuel Grobler (14) from Sundra finished the fun run first.
“I’m very excited about winning the run.
“It took a lot of effort to get to the finish line, but I’m glad I made it on time,” he says.
Brigit du Plessis from Sharon Park says she and her twin boys, Daniel and Joshua, enjoyed the run/walk, especially since it was a pet-friendly event.
“It was great spending some time with my twins because they usually do more adventurous things with their dad.
“My boys loved the run and our Border collie also enjoyed it a lot,” says du Plessis.
Springs Mall thanked the community and their sponsors for a wonderful pet-friendly run.
