Runners, walkers, and families are invited to lace up their running shoes for the World Sports Betting Randburg Harriers Valentine’s Night Race.

The popular annual event, set to take place on February 13, will start and finish at the Randburg Sports Complex, situated at the corner of Silverpine Avenue and Republic Road, offering runners a unique evening race experience.

Buwi Moeketsi, public relations officer and media liaison for Randburg Harriers Athletics Club, said the race continues to grow, both in scale and appeal. This year’s event will feature the traditional 10km race, along with a newly introduced 5km fun run, aimed at social runners, walkers, and families.

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The race is open to both club and non-club runners, with age limits set at 14 years and older for the 10km, and five years and older for the 5km. “It’s open to everyone. Non-club members and walkers are more than welcome.” Organisers are hoping for a strong turnout, with more than 3 000 participants expected on the night.

What sets the Valentine’s night race apart from other events on the Harriers calendar is its evening start and festive atmosphere. “It’s unique because of the start time. Not a lot of races start in the evening, and it also helps with sorting out Valentine’s Day plans.

We plan to have entertainment for both the kids and adults. We’re known for bringing the vibe.”

While the race does cater for competitive runners, the focus remains on inclusivity and enjoyment. “It’s aimed at every person who wants to put on running shoes. It’s a social event, which attracts different types of runners, and even non-runners.”

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Safety along the route has also been prioritised, with support from local authorities. “We’ll have JMPD at all the major intersections to help with diverting or stopping traffic. There’ll also be marshals throughout the route to ensure all runners are safe and don’t get lost.”

Although the event is not directly linked to a charity on the night, the club maintains an ongoing relationship with Ann Cheshire Home. “Instead of choosing a specific race to work with a charity, we donate at a pre-decided time annually. The charity we work with regularly is the Ann Cheshire Home.”

Moeketsi encouraged residents to join in for a memorable night out.

“If you are looking for a fun night out, you definitely need to be on that start line. There might be a hill or three on the route, but the after-party will make it totally worth it.”

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