Despite extreme weather conditions, 1200 JAG runners took to the streets on Saturday 26 September 2009 to participate in Cape Town’s annual Nedbank City Marathon 5km Schools Challenge. With the largest number of JAG runners to participate in an official race since the launch of the foundation in 2007, the youngsters braved the storms that kept even the most active adults indoors.
“I’ve never seen a more dedicated and passionate crowd!” comments Elana Meyer, JAG Foundation CEO. “The rain kept them inside at first but once the race gun shot, hundreds of white and yellow t-shirts exploded out of the tent and hurtled off along the Seapoint promenade in the bucketing rain. At the finish line, kids were soaked but surprisingly smiling from ear to ear as they waited for their medals, which are surely hanging proudly in their bedrooms.”
In collaborative effort, the City of Cape Town sponsored 20 busses that transported the kids to and from the event, JAG runners’ entries for the fun run as well as complimentary running t-shirts and lunch packs on the day. Meyer continues, “The City of Cape Town and Western Province Athletics has enabled us to afford our kids with even more opportunities to grow and excel through sport.”
Odwa Nbangatha from Lavender Hill, who joined ProNutro JAGRunners in May 2009, took 1st place in the Schools Challenge, well ahead of his competitors. Other kids from both the Mighty Metres and ProNutro JAGRunners programmes, hailed from Mannenberg, Mitchell’s Plain, Cloetesville, Khayelitsha, Bonteheuwel, Langa and Gugulethu.
In addition to the fun run, the ProNutro JAGRunners challenged the JAG Rugby team in the kids’ athletics competition hosted by Western Province Athletics and the JAG Foundation. Jumping, throwing, hurdling and running, five teams competed against each other. Showcasing impressive drive and a great team effort, the ‘ProNutro boys’ team from Manenberg, took the first prize.
“For the first time in our history, JAG Rugby participated in athletics and also competed against the ProNutro JAGRunners!” comments Barry Clarke, Program Director of JAG Rugby. “Our guys enjoyed the morning activities so much that all of them were keen to return for the fun run, later that afternoon.”
Check out more fun in the rain |
