Charity the winner of fun family event
[caption id="attachment_38729" align="alignright" width="405"] UP FOR A LAUGH: Competitors taking part in last year's Urban Run. Entries are now open for this year's event[/caption]
ENTRIES for the fourth Mandela Bay Development Agency (MBDA) hosted Urban Run charity event open today ahead of this festival event, which will take place at the Donkin Reserve over the third weekend of September.
Unique to the Eastern Cape, the Nelson Mandela Bay Urban Run is a fun and exciting obstacle course run through the streets of the Port Elizabeth CBD, showcasing recent and ongoing urban renewal in the city.
A sell-out 2000 participants are expected to "Tackle the City" for charity this year as they cover a 10km route through the historic parts of Port Elizabeth with 20 urban obstacles along the way.
"We've increased the entry capacity this year to 2000 for the 10km run and 300 for the kids' 3km run to accommodate the growth of the event, which has seen an entry increase of more than 500% since its humble beginnings in 2011," race organiser Mike Zoetmulder said.
"We are excited that the Urban Run is growing into one of the largest charity events in the city and that it is starting to make a difference to those in the community who are unable to manage on their own. From the R40000 which the urban athletes donated in 2011, the charity contributions rose to R230000 last year."
Having sold out for the past two years, the Urban Run's fun and exciting festival of activities is certain to draw people back to the CBD again this year as participants and spectators are encouraged to support this year's beneficiaries, Cheshire Home and Reach for a Dream.
The Kids Urban Run will take place on Saturday September 20, while the feature event will start at 9am on the Sunday with a massive Mardi Gras atmosphere expected on the Donkin.
Participants are encouraged to dress up to try and take the honours in The Herald best dressed competition.
Despite the 10km distance, the Urban Run attracts a large novice field of social participants who are out to have fun as they discover a new side to the city centre. Passing historic buildings and landmarks, participants can expect to encounter obstacles like the Orb Sign's "Storming the Fort", Mohair SA's "Goat Herd", Kay Gee Security's "Zap Trap", iStream's "Web of Despair", "Norman's bidet" and "Catching the Train".
The Urban Run is definitely more about having fun with friends and family while raising funds for and awareness of the nominated charities than the individual's 10km time.
Entry forms are available at all leading sports shops, News Café (Boardwalk) and the Zports offices at North End Lake, with discounted entries available online at www.urbanrun.co.za
Information is available on the event website with pictures and videos from previous Urban Runs on
Entertainment on the Donkin will take place between 9am and 5pm on the Saturday and 7am and 2pm on the Sunday with food and drink stalls and entertainment on offer.
