Bedfordview Athletics was proud to host the seventh Grace Jacaranda Run, held in memory of loved ones, on October 19.
Over 250 runners from Bedfordview Athletics and neighbouring athletics clubs arrived dressed in all shades of purple and pink, along with donations of toiletries and clothing for the Epic Foundation and The Bienvenu Ladies Shelter.
The route started from the Bedfordview Country Club, through Essexwold, and then into Kensington.
Each road was covered by a purple carpet of jacaranda flowers and a purple canopy of branches with flowers from the trees on either side of the road, creating a purple tunnel.
The 10km route then stopped at the Scottish War Memorial at the top of Jeppe High School for Boys.
At the memorial, a moment of silence and a heart-warming message was conveyed.
“Stop and smell the jacarandas because before you know it, they will be gone.
“So make the time to be with your loved ones. They are not yours forever,” said Grace Pereira, founder of the Jacaranda Run.
Thereafter, runners could choose to get a lift back to the club or for the more experienced and trained runners, a 10km return trip, with some challenging hills to get through was an option back to the club.
Overall the run was 20km.
After the race, runners had cupcakes and juice in shades of pink and purple and delicious catering was on offer.
