Zwartberg Runners’ Fun Run

- Linda Jaquet -

The Zwartberg Runners certainly know how to organise and have fun at the same time – they hosted another successful and very exuberant Fun Run on Thursday evening, 13 March. Thirty-eight teams representing a wide cross section of the community took part in the relay race, where each member of the team had to run or walk one kilometre along a closed-off section of Church Street.

Many teams got into the spirit of things and came in fancy dress, while others took the event far more seriously. In fact, the winning two-man team, Petrus Bostander and Marius Williams, whizzed home in no time at all and hardly seemed out of breath! They were closely followed by the four-member “Untouchables” Soccer team and the “Dangerous Municipal Force” – no prizes for guessing where they work! The first children’s team across the finish was “Grade 9”, with the “Pirates” as runners-up.

Apart from awards for athletic prowess, prizes for creativity and originality also went to the “Cowgirls”, “The Survivors”, the “Nuns”, “Top Secret”, the “Gypsies” and the “Hoolas” for their fancy dress outfits.

Well done, too, to the teams from Huis Kweekvallei, who participated in wheelchairs and on foot and to their companions of the Thursday Group, whose enthusiasm was catching! They certainly did things in style, sipping port and cheering others on when they had completed their race.

The Fun Run was a fundraiser for the official Zwartberg Runners’ Half Marathon to be held in May. The club has to raise R11 000.00 as hosts of the race. The relay raised R1 260.00, while a raffle of a lamb donated by the PHL Trust of Victoria West, brought in a further R2 070.00. The winner of the raffle, drawn after the race, was Kay Howes.

The Run organisers were overwhelmed at the community’s enthusiasm and encouragement. They thanked all those who donated prizes and sponsored teams and had particular praise for the SAPS. “The Police were wonderful; we could not have done it without them,” said Janet Modra, one of the moving forces in the Zwartberg Runners.

What’s next on the club’s schedule? Seven members are tackling the Two Oceans Ultra and Half Marathons over the Easter weekend. Terry Barnato told the Friend that the club is already full steam ahead in its preparations for a fun run and a race for more serious runners during next month’s Prince Albert Town and Olive Festival.

“The real biggie for us,” she said, “is organising our first official half marathon in May in accordance with the strict requirements of Athletics South Western Districts (ASWD). But, with a dynamic organising committee and the town’s support we are sure we can pull it off and show just what Prince Alberters can do.”