Hundreds lace up for Comrades route tester
The Main Group of SPARS organised four buses to transport runners from Hillcrest to the start in Pietermartizburg.
IT was an early start for about 1 000 enthusiastic runners when Beloved Long Runs, headed by Dean Wight, hosted a route tester marathon from Pietermartizburg to Hillcrest.
Grant Nicholls, the managing director of the Main Group of SPARS, organised four buses to transport the runners from Hillcrest to the start in Pietermartizburg.
The start time was 5am with five-minute intervals until 5.30am.
There were 16 well-stocked water tables along the route with refreshments and volunteers cheering and encouraging the runners on.
The 55km route tester marathon finished at Hillcrest Villagers’ Athletic Club.
The Main SPAR Group, consisting of Main SPAR at Sandy’s Centre, Sarnia SPAR, Escombe KWIKSPAR and Hillary SPAR, donated 800 THIRSTI waters and 750 cinnamon doughnuts for all of the runners at the finish.
The Durban Brewing Co. handed out samples of their genuine hand-crafted beers at the finish line, which the runners loved.
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The Hillcrest AIDS Centre Trust (HACT) sold delicious bacon and egg rolls and chocolate Super Ms.
Priority coffee sold much-needed cappuccino’s and other wonderful hot drinks while Threshhold hosted a table informing athletes of the benefits of their natural products and handed out samples.
Asics were also proud sponsors of this event and had two pairs of Asics running shoes up for grabs in two lucky draws.
The Hillcrest Villagers Athletic Club offered a wonderful finish venue for the route tester marathon where shower and change room facilities were available as well as refreshments on sale in the club house.
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