In celebration of the ninth edition of the Colchester Development Run, the organisers aim to promote a healthy lifestyle and fitness this year.
The popular family-run, which falls under the Legacy Project Events in partnership with the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality and is organised by Eastern Province Athletics will take place in Colchester on Saturday.
The 10km starts at 6am and will be followed by a 5km distance run at 6.15am.
Race director Micheal Mbambani believes that they will reach their 1000 entries target.
He said their main focus is mass participation.
“This year we have launched a puzzle that will give you a complete picture of our beachfront, the seaside of the beachfront, and Colchester is part of that puzzle,” Mbambani said.
“The last piece of the puzzle is the One City Marathon. Nowadays it's difficult to find a race in a place like Colchester, I would say they are on the outskirts of Nelson Mandela Bay, which lasts this long.
“I believe that because we have already exceeded 500 entries the last time when we checked online, we might also break the record this year for race entries.
“We might get close to our target of 1000 entries or might even go beyond that because of the interest shown by people to start the year on the right foot.
“However, more than any other thing we are really promoting a healthy lifestyle this time around, we would like to see mass participation and we would like to see more family runs, so that we can stay healthy and fit.”
The prize is R5,000 for the 10km winners, both male and female.
Last year's race was won by Thabang Masiako of Nedbank Running Club, who clocked a time of 28 minutes and 38 seconds.
“The prize money is very good so we will see a high standard of competition from the competition athletes.
“In the men's run, we are expecting to see good competition from Melikhaya Frans, Andile Motwana, Sinawo Poti, and Lithebe Menzeleli.
“In the ladies, the evergreen Ntombesintu Mfunzi will be seen and Kayla Nell from Charlo Athletics Club. I think she stands a chance of competing for a podium finish.”
Mbambani said entries will still be taken at the Westbourne Oval between 3 and 6pm on Friday and on race day from 5 to 5.55am.
Race numbers can be collected at the Westbourne Oval between 3 and 6pm on Friday.
The Herald
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