Zwelakhe Shangase

The Nike Run Free, Run Jozi campaign was launched in Johannesburg on Tuesday evening and will traverse the streets of downtown Johannesburg – at night – on Human Rights Day. The entire race event is authentic and distinctive, creating a truly unique and memorable experience for runners and the community at large.

Organisers said they were expecting about 10000 runners to run past the city’s landmarks in a gruelling 10km distance.

This inaugural race in South Africa this year is part of the Nike We Run City 10K World Series tour, which is galvanising multiple international cities including Buenos Aires (Argentina), Mexico City (Mexico), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), with a unique run experience combining running and music.

Running enthusiasts will experience a one-of-a-kind feeling as, from 7pm, they will charge en masse at the iconic Nelson Mandela bridge and the route will include energetic music and motivational water points until the finish line.

In acknowledging the importance of Human Rights Day, the runners will pass a number of landmarks paying homage to our heritage.

TV personality and 5FM DJ Poppy Ntshongwana is also running and said: “The race is about taking back the city, taking back what our people fought for and reclaiming it as ours.

“It has never been done before because a lot of people who live in Johannesburg are even afraid to drive through the city at night but running there at night provides for an interesting experience.

“The race is close to my heart because it is targeting young people who are willing to get up and do things for themselves while promoting a well-rounded lifestyle of keeping fit and active.

“With the race being on Human Rights Day, it also seeks to remind us about how far we’ve come and to realise the rich history and heritage that Johannesburg holds.” Some of the prominent landmarks befitting the significance of the day include City Hall, Luthuli House, Constitutional Hill, Jeppe police station, Johannesburg Stadium, Ponte Tower and popular streets like Bree and Market.

The finish line will welcome runners at the Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, which will also host a celebratory chill zone with music and entertainment for the runners. Nike SA brand director Anwar Jappie said: “The Nike Run Free, Run Jozi 10km race amplifies the sport experience for young and established runners by encouraging them to connect, motivate and inspire one another.

“We singled out Human Rights Day as race day because of the significance the day holds and, more importantly, enabling our runners to celebrate their heritage, freedom and the right to take back the streets for the night. We want to single-mindedly motivate 10000 runners to get to the starting line on March 21 and inspire them to connect with and own their city.”

All runners will be required to run in the official race day top, with its pre-printed race number, which will be made available from early March during the race-pack collection period. The race will be divided into two categories, namely student (R50 fee) and open (R70 fee). See www.runjozi.com for more information.

zwelakhes@thenewage.co.za