More than 1000 Grahamstown residents are expected to participate in the newly revamped Makana Green Fun Run scheduled to take place on Sunday.
The event is aimed at promoting environmental sustainability in town and on campus. The intention is to raise environmental awareness and encouraging Grahamstown residents, scholars, students and business, to adopt more sustainable lifestyles and practices. The fun run comprises a 2.3km and 6.4km walk. According to Rhodes University co-organiser and safety, health and environmental officer Nikki Kohly, organisers are hoping that community members will embrace the event and its objectives of increasing environmental awareness.
"We realise a lot of people enjoyed the Bots route, but the sad reality is that the route tended to favour Rhodes University personnel, hence the decision to move it to an easterly direction." The advantages of the new route, said Kohly, was that participants would no longer have to repeat the same circuit in different directions which had been the case in the past. Kohly said the advantage of the timing of the event -to be held on a Sunday afternoon from 4.30pm-was that it would work well as traffic volumes tend to be lower than on a week day.
"The only drawback is that the traffic department has fewer staff available to assist. "However, many volunteers are expected to assist runners around the route." Certificates and indigenous trees, planted in honour of DD Siwisa Primary School, will be awarded to the first three runners to cross the finish line. Prices for the winners of the best outfit, the biggest Rhodes residence team, the biggest school team and best business, will be awarded. Registration for the run takes place on Sunday between 3pm and 4pm.
By: Sithandiwe Velpahi
Article Source: THE NEW AGE