April 5, 2006
By Lucky Sindane
GOOD news for Joburgers - 702 Talk Radio's Walk the Talk marathon is back by popular demand. So dust off your takkies and prepare to get walking and talking through the streets of Joburg on Sunday, 23 July.
The Discovery/702 Walk the Talk is the only walking marathon in Africa and one of the largest walks in the world. The first walk, in 2000, drew 12 000 entrants.
This year organisers are expecting 22 000 participants in the 5km and 10km walks and 3 500 in the 21km and 42km walks. And the route has changed: the walks start and finish at Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia.
From the club, walkers will wind their way through the leafy suburbs of Emmarentia, Greenside, Parktown, Parkhurst, Parkwood and Parkview.
The event consists of a 5km fun walk, which starts at 10.30am, a 10km walk set for 8.30am, and two officially timed walks - a 21km race and a 42km race - due to start at 7.30am and 6.30am respectively.
Entrance is R45 for the 5km walk, R55 for the 10km and 21km walks, and R65 for the 42km. People over 60 and younger than 18 pay R55. Participants in the 21km and 42km walks need a Central Gauteng Athletics licence; they may buy temporary licences on the day for R20 or R30.
The 21km walk is restricted to competitors aged 16 or older, and the 42km race to those aged 20 or older. But the 5km fun walk is open to all. The event is endorsed by the City of Johannesburg and is sponsored by Discovery and 702 Talk Radio.
"This year 702 has entered into a partnership with [the] financial services provider, Discovery, to bring the people of Joburg the Discovery/702 Walk the Talk, an event that epitomises good health and community building," said 702 Talk Radio's station manager, Pheladi Gwangwa.
"Walking 10 000 steps every day is all you need to get your daily dose of exercise, so the walk ties in perfectly with Discovery's commitment to encourage healthy, active lifestyles," said Discovery's general manager for marketing and distribution, Hylton Kallner.
Laureus Sport for Good Foundation is the beneficiary of this year's event. It is an international charity organisation that uses sport as a tool for social development and upliftment in disadvantaged communities.
"Discovery/702 Walk the Talk participants will not only benefit their own health but also the health and wellness of countless others by contributing to the efforts of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation of South Africa," Kallner added.
"With our Vitality programme we encourage our members to enjoy the great health benefits of walking, by awarding them Vitality points based on the number of steps they take every day. Now we're able to challenge the rest of Joburg's citizens to get in step with them."
Discovery wanted Joburgers to get out into the fresh air and become more active, said 702's marketing manager, Dex de Bruin. "The event is an opportunity for participants to experience parts of the city from a different perspective. It's a great way to meet new people from different walks of life and talk to them, whether you're participating as a serious walker, or during the shorter fun walks.
Walk the Talk is one of the largest walks in the world
"The event has a major role to play in uniting the diverse communities of this city, an initiative that also ties in with Discovery's strong sense of social responsibility," he added.
Mass participation sporting events like the Discovery/702 Walk the Talk created a sense of community and through participation residents felt a sense of belonging in the city, De Bruin said.
Tanya Harford, the event director, was looking forward to the day. "We are excited at the prospect of the reintroduction of the 702 Walk the Talk - this time teaming up with a new partner in Discovery, with a new venue and new routes," she said.
"We encourage corporates, schools, clubs, friends and families to come out and walk for charity and the joy of taking to our streets and enjoying what Joburg has to offer."
There will be entertainment on tap and Joburgers will be able to meet their favourite 702 personalities, who will also be walking on the day.
Entries are open and will close on Friday, 23 June. Participants can register online on the 702 Talk Radio website. Official registration takes place at the Marks Park Sports Club in Emmarentia from 19 July to 21 July, between 9am and 5pm and on Saturday, 22 July between 9am and 4pm.
For more information contact the Walk Office on 011 463 2743 or by email on walkthetalk@702.co.za.
Permission to use web site material
Publishers may use material from this site free of charge, as long as:
- Credit is given to either the "City of Johannesburg website
(www.joburg.org.za)" or to "Johannesburg News Agency
(www.joburg.org.za)";
- If the article is used online, a link is provided to the original
article on this website;
- The name of the article's author is acknowledged;
-
The webmaster is informed of how and where the material is used (fill
in this brief online form).
Johannesburg News Agency is operated by BIG Media at 011-484-1400 |
