The Dolphin Coast Striders’ Big Hill Run has, this year, been selected by the KZN Athletics Union to host their 2015 Half Marathon Championships, which club chairman, Barry Holland said was a big achievement for the club.
“Being selected by KZN to host their championships is a great feather in the club’s cap, and it locates the Striders as a professional and well-supported local community running institution,” said Holland, who expects an incredible 1200 runners to turn up for the race on the day.
The Dolphin Coast Striders are preparing for a big month on the road as the date for the much anticipated Big Hill Run has officially been set.
The race is being held at Sugar Rush Adventure Park on Sunday, December 20 and is geared to replace the club’s September 10, 21 and 50 kilometre races, said Holland.
“We felt that the ultra-marathon element in the September races attracted too small a following, and as a community running club, we wanted to open up the event to runners of all abilities who might have been put off by the intimidating 50 kilometre race,” said Holland, who added that last year’s event saw just 64 ultra-marathon runners enter.
The start and and finish of the race will be within Sugar Rush, but the race itself requires runners to climb and conquer the Esenembe Road hill towards Compensation.
Holland said the hill is part of the mystique of the race and offers an exciting new challenge to runners of all levels.
There will be 5km fun-run trails, a 10km run which goes half way up the hill and a 21km half-marathon which goes right to the hill’s summit, so the race really does cater for runners of all abilities.
“This run is great for locals and holidaymakers alike as it will not affect traffic in Ballito, being held near Compensation. The race also has a couple of false stops on the hill, so finishing is no easy challenge,” said Holland.
He said the race will have a definite fun element that the runners can look forward to.
All finishers of the race receive a medal for their efforts, with prize money going to the top finishers.
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