A large field of 286 athletes laced up for the 5km DurbaNite Race on the new Umdloti/Sibaya route last week Thursday.

Although the event name contains the word “race”, DurbaNite Race co-founder Phindi Gule-Burley said it was actually not about racing the clock but rather about encouraging healthy outdoor living and forming friendships.

With a string of standard and ultra marathons under her belt, as well as a record-breaking 900km run in 2016 from the Mozambique border to Port Edward with her husband Kevin, Gule-Burley understands the pressure athletes put themselves under to perform and achieve personal best times.

The lingering effects of a bout of Covid-19 which saw her battle to get back into the rigours of her pre-pandemic running routine gave rise to a new outlook on fitness and training.

“We often put ourselves under pressure for no reason. Healthy living is about moving. We need to be sensible and listen to our bodies,” she said.

It was for that reason, she said, that the DurbaNite Race was not about participants’ times. There were no pomp and ceremony about podium positions but rather lucky draw prizes that all entrants could win.

“During our 900km run, many people ran some sections with us for fun and I realised many people wanted to run but didn’t know where to start. So we founded the DurbaNite Race in 2017 to encourage new runners and emphasise fun with friends and colleagues.”

The event has undergone a few venue changes over the years, from the iconic Moses Mabhida Stadium to Wahoos at uShaka Marine World, College Rovers Rugby Club and eventually the fairways of Durban Country Club before Covid put a stop to all mass participation events.

Being a resident of Shoreline, Sibaya, Gule-Burley recognised an opportunity to bring the DurbaNite Race to her own community with Marine Walk Mall being an ideal start and finish point.

This was not only because it could accommodate sizeable crowds but because it would boost night trade for retailers – a cause close to Gule-Burley’s heart that has always been a key feature of the DurbaNite Race at all venues.

“Offering discounts and hampers to runners, the retailers really came on board to make the event worthwhile, and in return they said it was the busiest they have ever been.”

“Bringing the event home to the community I live in also opened up new possibilities for the retired community at Shoreline to get outside and safely run or walk in the sugarcane,” she said.
Going forward, the DurbaNite Race will take place at Marine Walk Mall every last Thursday night of the month.

Online entries are open for the next event taking place on March 28. To enter, visit durbaniterace.co.za and follow the event on Instagram @Officialdurbaniterace.

Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.

Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.