The fun day arranged by Central Gauteng Masters Athletics (CGMA) truly lived up to its reputation at the University of Johannesburg Athletics Stadium on 30 July.
“More than 100 athletes, young and old, from Johannesburg and Pretoria, participated in the joyous event,” said Gerth Scholtz, the organiser of the event.
“The idea was to have a mid-winter day event for all to come and join. The youngest participant was five years and the oldest, in their seventies,” said Scholtz.
The sprint events were first – 60m, 150m, and 300m – with many running a race of this distance for the first time.
Ian Hacker, chairman of CGMA, dressed in a Zebra outfit, was the starter and in one of the sprints he carried a three-year-old toddler the full distance to give her the first race of her life. Amongst the more regular athletes, there were some star performances in this off part of the season – signs of things to come when the summer athletics season starts.
Next were field events which included javelin, high jump, shot put and long jump. Athletes lined up to try their hand, or their legs, at events they never thought they could do. Young and old leaped, heaved and threw as hard as they could. In all events, some of the more experienced master athletes showed the newbies and youngsters the ropes.
The final event was the 1500m in which all participants ran together; some at their own leisurely pace and others going hard to improve their performance. This was a unique event with athletes as young as six and as old as sixty all running together.
Hacker said: “I haven’t seen so many athletes, young and old, mixing together brilliantly and having a great time laughing, and enjoying themselves. This is what this sport is supposed to be.”
The morning ended with a braai for all. “New friends were made on the track and many old acquaintances enjoyed each other’s company around a
fire in the bright Highveld sun,” said Scholtz.
CGMA thanked UJ Athletics for allowing them to have this first CGMA Fun Day at the prestigious stadium. “There will be more, said Scholtz. “Masters Athletics is for men and women from 35 years and older. Join us Saturday mornings at 08h30 at the UJ stadium.”
