Learners, teachers, and parents filled The King’s School West Rand sports grounds for an action-filled day of the annual Soapbox Derby.

Seeing the carts lined up at the starting line made for a perfect start for a day filled with speed, laughter, and plenty of friendly competition on Saturday, September 6.

There were three racetracks on the school grounds, where learners from different grades competed against each other. There was a loud cheer and excitement as the first round kicked off, and the racers clung tightly to their steering ropes as their carts rattled across the track, cheered on by classmates and families lining the course.

Each race had the crowd on their feet, with some carts making perfect rounds, while others zigzagged wildly, with some of the riders falling out at times, drawing roars of laughter and applause.

The carts gave the event a real old-school charm. Some were painted in bright colours, others kept a simple, rustic look, but each one had its own personality. The different teams were dressed in matching outfits, with others in colourful tutus. The speedy runs, occasional slow crawls where a cart refused to co-operate, moments where some participants fell off, and near misses were the highlights as they added to the day’s fun.

The parents at the event also had an opportunity to compete against the teachers, which brought excitement for the learners as they saw the friendly competitions. When the day was almost over, the final races wrapped up, and each one of the racers who braved the track was celebrated.

The event tested the participants’ skills in teamwork, creativity, and sportsmanship. The smiles on people’s faces made it clear that each one of them had a wonderful time, regardless of who won. The day is the school’s beloved tradition, and this year’s event was no exception.

At the end of the day, it was more about the memories made than the competition as people made new friendships and came together to celebrate the festivities of the day.