Itheko Athletic Club’s Fatima van der Rheede addresses runners at the start of Sunday’s big race in the Cape Town CBD. Picture: Fuad Esack
More than 7 500 runners and walkers gathered at the starting line in front of Cape Town City Hall, on Darling Street, early Sunday morning, to take part in the 12th edition of the Slave Route Challenge.
This year’s event benefited two non-profit organisations – The Children’s Hospital Trust and Paedspal Paediatric Pallative Care, a Rondebosch-based organisation working with children with non-curable illnesses.
Established in 2012, the Slave Route Challenge, organised by Brimstone Itheko Sport Athletic Club and sanctioned by Western Province Athletics and Athletics South Africa, included a 21km race, 10km run, 10km walk and a 5km run.
The event attracted runners from across the city, seasoned and those just starting out, with 2 600 runners registering for the main event.
The 10km run, popular among social and serious runners, attracted 3 000 entries while 1 000 walkers hit the street in the 10km walk, and 1 000 in the 5km fun run.
Gugulethu Athletic Club’s Mthandazo Qhina won the men’s 21km race and Nedbank runner, Mandlekosi Tuna, crossed the finish line first in the 10km run. In the women’s race, Zintle Xiniwe, running in Nedbank colours, won the 21km race and Bellville Athletic Club’s Alice Venter the 10km race.
Cape Town executive Mayor Geordin-Hill Lewis sends the 5km fun runners on their way. Picture: Fuad EsackRunners take off at a blistering pace in Sunday’s 21km Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Fuad EsackSeen here in front of City Hall, on Darling Street, are runners taking off at the start of the 21km Slave Route Challenge. Sunday’s bumper run attracted more than 7 500 runners from across the city. Picture: Fuad Esack21km winner, Gugulethu Athletic Club’s Mthandazo Qhina en route to the finish line in Sunday’s 12th edition of the annual Slave Route Challenge hosted by Brimstone Itheko Sport Athletic Club. Picture: Fuad EsackSecond-placed finisher, Boxer Athletic Club’s Godwin Swartz cruising down Spin Street, on the way to the finish line in Sunday’s 21km Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Fuad EsackBellville Athletic Club’s Alice Venter, looking comfortable on her way to crossing the finish line first in the 10km women’s race. Picture: Fuad EsackNedbank Running Club’s Sithembile Cokile finished fifth in Sunday’s 21km race in the Cape Town CBD. Picture: Fuad EsackGugulethu Athletic Club’s Mthandazo Qhina crossing the finish line first in Sunday’s 21km Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Luigi Bennett10km race winner Nedbank Running Club’s Mandlenkosi Tuna looking good to go another 10km. Picture: Luigi Bennett10km winner, Bellville Athletics Club’s Alice Venter, on arrival at the finish line on the Grand Parade. Picture: Luigi BennettTop Form Athletic Club’s Dr Suroor Solomon among the thousands who took to the streets of Cape Town for the 12th annual Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Fuad EsackTop Form Athletic Club’s Mohamed Sayeed Osman giving Sunday’s Slave Route Challenge two thumbs up. Picture: Fuad EsackSole sisters… Top Form’s Raeesa and Aashiqah Abdullah all smiles during Sunday’s Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Fuad EsackRace marshall Masheeah Manuel, from Athlone, keeping a close eye on traffic on Adderley Street, to ensure the safety of runners taking part in Sunday’s Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Fuad EsackNantes Athletic Club’s Felicia Hugo all smiles en route to the finish line. Picture: Fuad EsackWard councillor Anthony Moses, centre, give Sunday’s race the thumbs up. Picture: Fuad EsackNantes Athletic Club’s Yaseen Southgate sporting the club’s bright green colours during Sunday’s road race in the CBD.Shafiek Benjamin representing Manenberg’s Farnese Athletic Club in Sunday’s Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Fuad EsackSisters Yumna and Rasheeqa Isaacs doing it for Hewat Athletic Club during Sunday’s Slave Route Challenge. Picture: Fuad Esack