July 29, 2004
By Lucky Sindane
ON YOUR MARKS and get set - for the fifth annual Absa company relay, which will be run from Johannesburg to Kempton Park on Sunday 1 August.
The relay - the largest event of its kind in the world - is set to start at the Absa Towers in Main Street in Johannesburg at 7am and end at Esselenpark, Kempton Park.
And, say organisers, this year is expected to break the world record of 3 000 team entries.
"Last year we had about 1 790 teams and we're expecting a lot of entries this year," says Absa's relay challenge project manager, Yvette Michael.
The challenge is divided into two categories: the run, which has eight legs; and the walk, with four legs.
"This is a team-building exercise and we create a platform for companies to challenge each other," Michael adds.
Participants will be racing against last year's winners in the men's race - the Liberty A team, which crossed the finishing line in 2:53:18.
In the women's category, Harmony Gold will be back to defend the title. Last year the team finished in first place for the second time in a row; the time was 3:32:54.
Each member of the winning running and walking teams will receive a Nike heart-rate monitor watch and all runners who complete the race within the cut- off time will receive bronze medals.
Platinum medals will be given to the members of the teams to finish first in each category; gold will go to second place and silver to third.
The winning team in the business category will receive a floating trophy.
"The Absa relay is an opportunity to rub shoulders with the community," says the group executive director, Steve Booysen.
"Absa sees the community as an important stakeholder in its quest to be a partner in growing South Africa's prosperity."
He added: "It will be an honour for me to set the runners off on my first day as Absa's new chief executive."
Moroka Swallows are one of the celebrity teams that have confirmed they will be participating, according to Michael.
Some of the money raised will be donated to charities.
The day, however, is not just for the energetic. Loads of entertainment has been organised for the athletes and their families and friends.
C-bokeng, the latest afro-pop sensation, will kick off the entertainment at Esselenpark.
Arno Carstens will also be performing songs from his new solo album, 'Another Universe'. Carstens won the award for the best rock album at the 2004 South African Music Awards.
Extreme-sports lovers won't be left out, either: Luke Price from New Zealand and Dyllen Victor from South Africa will perform enthralling stunts from the FMX display and Jacques Fourie will hit the ramp with his BMX stunts. Terry Sharman, William Twala and Martin Kacey will perform extreme skateboard stunts.
And there will be plenty of activities for children in a separate entertainment area, which will be monitored by minders. There will be clowns, magicians, jumping castles, candyfloss machines, face painters, a farmyard and pony and camel rides.
For more information contact the organisers on 011 473 2626 or mailto:absarelay@absa.co.za.
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