Race of Gratitude attracts thousands
The race offers shoppers the opportunity to socialise with Centurion Mall tenants in an outdoor setting.
Pretoria residents participated in the second annual Race of Gratitude in their numbers at Centurion Mall on Saturday.
The shopping centre’s management welcomed a massive turnout consisting of fitness fanatics and fun-loving walkers, who competed in 5km, 10 and 21.1km events.
Photo: Ron Sibiya
“More than a thousand cars arrived before we opened up at 4am,” Centurion general manager Wilna Savio told Rekord, citing that the centre’s management was excited about the outcome.
Savio said according to their projection they had anticipated doubling the number of participants compared to almost 1 500 people who entered the competition during its debut in May last year. She said based on her personal opinion as official figures had not yet been released, they had met their anticipated target of 3 000.
Should this be the case, it means participation has increased by more than 100% compared to the previous event.
“There were more than 3 000 people participating in the race itself,” she said.
Centurion Mall marketing manager Krystal Coconas said they were waiting for the final figures of the participants from the athletics body.
“The athletics organisation will be sending final numbers in the next week or two,” Coconas said.
Savio explained that the Race of Gratitude was however more than just a competition, it was about connecting community members through creating a social experience.
“It provides an opportunity for representatives and owners of businesses in our centre as well as Skosana Development Running, a Non-profit Organisation (NPO), to interact and socialise with the shoppers in an outdoor setting.”
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Photo: Ron Sibiya
Photo: Ron Sibiya
According to the centre, the NPO is one of their important stakeholders as it is responsible for empowering and uplifting the youth to make a mark in South Africans running races.
Savior added that the NPO had collaborated with Development Clubs to form the development program of identifying talent in various schools in Pretoria.
At the race, each of the first 500 participants received a goody bag with a variety of items, thanks to the Centurion Mall’s tenants.
ALSO READ: Watch: Accusations fly about killer diarrhea in city
Do you have more information about the story?
Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.
For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East
For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram
