Tembisa 10km run and walk coming soon

The Tembisa Street Mile will see scores of runners and walkers take to the streets for the third annual race on November 9.

The race starts and ends at the Moses Molelekwa Art Centre, next to the Makhulong Stadium. Registration will take place at the venue on Saturday next week, from 10am to 5pm.

Registrations will continue into the morning of the race.

The registration fee for 10km is R50 for licensed athletes and R65 for unlicensed athletes.

Registration for the U/15 boys and girls mile is R20.

According to the founder of the Tembisa Street Mile, Donald Mathipa, the 10km race takes participants on a fast and flat route.

“If you have not done the run and walk, come and try it. We invite anyone interested in participating,” he said.

Mr Mathipa said the main objective of the race is the revival of athletics and athletics-related activities in their township.

“Medals will be awarded to the first 1 500 finishers. All finishers qualify for lucky draw prizes,” he said.

Prize money will be given to the first 10 men and women in the 10km race, with R2 500 for the first prize.

“Prize money will also be given to the first three junior, veterans and masters runners. The event will be sponsored by Tomtom,” said Mathipa.

The top athletes expected to participate in the run and walk are Johan Cronje from the Free State, who will be defending the men’s title, which he won last year.

Cronje is the South Africa 1 500 metre and mile record holder.

Fellow Tembisan, Lorraine Novella, will defend the women’s title.

Stephen Mokoka, a London Marathon olympian and the reigning South African half marathon champion, will also be taking part.

In women’s category, Rene Kalmer, an olympian and South African half marathon champion, will also be present.

The following routes will be affected from 8am to 11am:

RTJ Namane Drive (straight line), George Nyanga (from the BP at the Swazi Inn) and Brian Mazibuko Drive.

“We apologize for the inconvenience this may arise,” said Mathipa.