Sights set on event to assist Retina SA

THE Herald Rafi's Builders Warehouse Friendly City Marathon, which takes place from the Fountain Vineyard Church field behind Builders Warehouse next Saturday, January 25, will raise funds for Retina SA.

New sponsor Builders Warehouse will host a new fundraiser initiative called "Run 4 Retina" on Saturday, January 18.

"We hope that the Port Elizabeth public will support Retina SA as well as the Friendly City Marathon," Chris Carthew, general manager of Builders Warehouse, said.

Four teams will take part in the charity challenge on two treadmills in the store at Builders Warehouse this Saturday to raise funds for Retina SA.

Bay FM will motivate the teams and encourage support from shoppers from 9am to noon with their mobile music DJ and live radio crossings.

The four participating teams are Builders Warehouse versus Bukani Print and Ironman versus the Charlo Ladies.

Jaco Smit, a member of Achilles Club and active member of Retina SA, will join the Builders Warehouse team.

Smit, 25, is a talented athlete with an incurable eye disorder. However, he has not allowed his vision impairment to negatively impact on his passion for running.

He has qualified to participate in the National Athletics Championships for People with Disability, with his goal being to be shortlisted for the next Paralympics.

Smit participated in last year's marathon and has since been mentored by Paul Wolff, of the Achilles Amateur Athletics Club and Ironman SA, who designed a weekly training programme for him.

"I believe with the right support, Jaco has a bright running future," Wolff said.

Fantastic prizes valued at more than R15000, including outdoor braais, paint and tools, will be sponsored by Builders Warehouse who, together with Rafi's and Adidas, will ensure that runners will be able to win lucky draw prizes valued at more than R40000 at the prizegiving after the marathon.

The new Friendly City Marathon route, which starts from the Fountain Vineyard Church field behind Builders Warehouse, will appeal to all levels of runners, from the long-distance to the fun runner. The Herald Rafi's Builders Warehouse Friendly City Marathon includes a 42.2km marathon, a 10km race and a 5km Corporate Challenge and fun run.

Runners will be able to enjoy a family experience with the Fountain Vineyard Church, who will sell a range of refreshments, from bacon and egg rolls to pancakes, coffee, curry bunnies and boerewors rolls.

A fun play area will be provided for the children.

Pre-race registration will take place at Rafi's Appliances and Mattresses in Newton Park on Friday evening, January 24, from 5pm to 7pm and the first 500 entrants at registration will receive free T-shirts.

The cost is R85 for the marathon, R40 for the 10km and R25 for the 5km Corporate Challenge and fun run.

The temporary licence for the marathon and 10km run is R25.

Marathon runners aged 65 years and over will only pay 50% of the race fee.

Entry forms are available from Rafi Appliances & Mattresses, Builders Warehouse, Brian Bands and major sports stores.

For more info, go to www.achilles.co.za andwww.theherald.co.zaor contact Alan Taylor on 083-658-0050.