702 Walk the Talk challenge

Joburg was the place to be on 27 July with 56 000 of enthusiastic participants ready to tackle the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk challenge.

Registered individuals took part in various distances ranging from 5km, 8km, and 20km race. According to public relations Pippa Rowles, “the event has grown into the largest mass participation walk of its kind and is known to celebrate the diversity and beauty of Joburg.” She added that “Walkers of all ages, shapes, sizes and backgrounds came together to walk 20km, 8km and 5km.”

The Discovery 702 Walk the Talk is arguably one of the most successful fun races in the country.

This year, there was a special focus on 20 years of democracy and nearly 15 000 walkers chose to walk 20km to celebrate this breakthrough in the country’s history.

Participants made their way through Braamfontein, passing iconic landmarks such as Mandela Bridge, Wits University and Constitution Hill. At each kilometer marker, the City of Joburg placed striking images of memorable events from each of the 20 years of democracy.

One of the participants, Tsholofelo Mokoena, said the event was an opportunity to socialise with different people while keeping a healthy lifestyle. “It was amazing and it was also gruelling but you don’t feel the intensity of going up-hill, because you’re talking to people and just having fun.”

Although it was memorable, some participants were left disappointed.

Lesego Maja who undertook the 20km said she was surprised there weren’t any goodie bags and sufficient fruit for all walkers. “It was significant for me to be able to complete the full 20km, but I was left a bit disappointed when there was no goody bag reward waiting for me on the other side of the finish line.”

However, according to Rowles, the event decided not to hand out goodie bags as the value of the goodies was getting less and less, and handing them out at the finish created major congestion. “We decided to rather give walkers a better quality T-shirt, which they could keep as a memento,” she said.

Among the walkers, who braved the cold weather and did the 20km, was the Executive Mayor of the City of Joburg Councillor Parks Tau and Gauteng Premier David Makhura, former Minister in the Presidency for National Planning Commission, Trevor Manuel, Absa CEO Maria Ramos and Talk Radio 702 host, John Robbie.

The shorter distances saw Ahmed Kathrada and his volunteers from the Kathrada Foundation, groups of friends from all walks of life, colleagues and even dogs walking together while having fun.

Details: Pippa Rowles 011 506 3109