July 21, 2004
By Jonews Reporter
THE countdown to Johannesburg's biggest big walk - the 702 Walk the Talk - has begun. The event, which takes place on Sunday 25 July, offers participants a choice of four distances.
A record 25 000 walkers are expected.
The highlight is expected to be the 10km democracy walk: all Joburgers are invited to paint their faces and emblazon themselves with South African flags - and then join the walk to celebrate this very special decade. This walk, proudly hosted by the City of Johannesburg, is one of its key activities to celebrate 10 years of democracy.
An event of this magnitude means traffic will be affected. To ensure the safety of residents and walkers, the City of Johannesburg and the Metro Police have granted the organisers permission to close those roads affected by the 5km and 10km walks.
Corlett Drive, between Athol Oaklands and Rudd roads, will be closed to all traffic from 4am to 2pm on 25 July.
The 42km walk starts at 6:30am and the 21 km walk at 7:30am. They cover almost the same route: those doing the marathon virtually repeat the course.
The 21km circuit will take participants from the Wanderers Stadium through the suburbs of Illovo, Hyde Park, Sandhurst, Inanda, Atholl, Winston Ridge and Melrose, and then back to the stadium.
These roads have not been closed but traffic might be affected and motorists delayed.
The 10km walk starts at 8:30am and takes walkers through Illovo, Dunkeld, Rosebank, Melrose, Killarney, Houghton, Oaklands, Abbotsford and Birdhaven, before returning to the stadium.
The 5km walk has participants set off at 10:30am through Illovo, Melrose and Birdhaven. Roads in this area will be closed during the duration of the walks.
The organisers of the 702 Walk the Talk will carry out a thorough clean-up after the event, so that the beautiful routes are returned to their clean state.
Secure parking will be available at James and Ethel Grey Park, and at Winston Ridge Park. Signs will mark the parking areas.
If you need to travel through the affected suburbs make sure you plan an alternative route before setting out. A call centre has been set up to deal with any problems before the event and on the day of the walk. Operators on 0862 702 702 will be able to help motorists and residents plan their routes.
Marshals, Metro Police and traffic officials will co-ordinate the closures on the day. Please follow their instructions, as they will ensure your safety and the safety of the walkers.
The event, now in its fifth successful year, has been endorsed by the City of Johannesburg and falls in line with its aim of making this city the sporting capital of South Africa.
Details of road closures
5km walk road closures
From 9am to noon on 25 July
Corlett Drive from Athol Oaklands Road to Rudd Road (closed from 4am to 2pm)
Rudd Road from Chaplin Road to North Street (Melrose)
North Street from Venus Street to Oxford Road (Melrose)
Victoria Avenue from North Street to Jellicoe Avenue (Melrose)
St Andrews Street from Jameson Avenue to Arran Avenue (Melrose)
Jameson Avenue from St Andrew Street to Glenhove Road (Melrose)
Melrose Street from Oxford Road to Greenacres Drive (Melrose)
Greenacres Drive from Wrenrose Avenue to Melrose Street ( Birdhaven)
Edgewood Avenue from Tyrwhitt Avenue to North Street (Birdhaven)
North Street from Wrenrose Avenue to Westwood Avenue (Birdhaven)
Westwood Avenue from North Street to West Kernick Avenue (Melrose North)
West Kernick Avenue from Westwood Avenue to Porter Avenue (Melrose North)
Irene Road from West Kernick Avenue to Fort Street (Fairway)
10km walk road closures
From 7am to 11am on 25 July
Corlett Drive from Athol Oaklands Road to Rudd Road (closed from 4am to 2pm)
Oxford Road from Chaplin Road to Anerly Road (Dunkeld, Melrose, Riviera)
Off-ramp - M1 South Riviera Road (Riviera)
Riviera Road from Restanwold Road to Central Street ( Riviera)
West/Central Street from 2nd Avenue to Glenhove Road (Houghton Estate)
Off-ramp - M1 South Glenhove Road (Houghton Estate)
17th Avenue from Central Street to Kruger Street (Oaklands)
Kruger Street from 17th Avenue to Scott Street (Oaklands)
Scott Street from Kruger Street to 4th Street(Abbotsford)
Melrose Street from 2nd Street to Tyrwhitt Avenue (Abbotsford)
Greenacres Drive from Wrenrose Avenue to Tyrwhitt Avenue (Birdhaven)
Edgewood Avenue from Tyrwhitt Avenue to North Street (Birdhaven)
North Street from Wrenrose Avenue to Westwood Avenue (Melrose North)
Westwood Avenue from North Street to West Kernick Avenue (Melrose North)
West Kernick Avenue from Westwood Avenue to Porter Avenue (Melrose North)
Irene Road from West Kernick Avenue to Fort Street (Fairway)
The road closures will not affect emergency services.
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