Sunridge race could draw record entry

ORGANISERS are hoping to crack the 2 500 mark in next Saturday’s Sunridge Village Family Run/Walk, which is arguably the most popular race on the local road-running calendar.

Now in its 11th year, the event organised by the Port Elizabeth Amateur Athletic Club (PEAAC) and Sunridge Village Shopping Centre promises to be bigger and better than ever, with a new route for the 10km.

With a winner’s purse of R1 000 for both men and women, the race has attracted most of the top runners in the province.

Another feature has been and increase in the number of school children and families.

“It is so encouraging to see the hundreds of primary school runners and family participation at these events,” the doyen of athletics in the province and president of PEAAC, Les Barnes, said.

“This will again be a fun-filled family affair with fantastic hampers, lucky draws and some major prizes, including a R2 500 shopping experience from Sunridge SUPERSPAR, a major sponsor of the event.”

Once again there will be the fun categories, including first Family Home, Parent and Pram, Dad and Dog and Mom and Tot.

Entrants wanting to qualify for these special prizes must indicate this at registration.

Watering points will be manned by various stores at the centre, the Sunridge Neighbourhood Watch and Framesby High School.

There will be a watering hole for dogs at the first water point.

“Although an official EPA Participating Road Running League event, it also caters for the whole family with distances of 5km and 10km,” Sunridge Village Shopping Centre manager Suzanne Fincham said.

The school with the most bulk entries in the 5km race will win R1 000.

There will also be a special prize for the company with the most bulk entries.

The first 1 000 pre-entries at Spec Savers, PostNet and Myburg’s Sports at the shopping centre will receive an event T-shirt.

Pre-entries at all major sport shops in the metro close at 5pm on Wednesday next week.

Entry forms can also be downloaded from the centre’s website, www.sunridgevillage.co.za

The entry fee is R50 for the 10km and R30 for the 5km.

A temporary licence (10km only) costs R30.

Festivities kick off at 5pm on Friday next week with collection of race numbers and late entries in the mall.

Takeaways, restaurants and selected stores will be open until late.

Prize-giving will take place directly after the race in the area adjacent to the Keg & Swan .

Additional parking will be available in the park at Camelia Avenue off Aster Avenue, which is close to the centre.

Timed results will be available for both the 10km and 5km events.

Pictures and results will also be available on the centre’s website.

For more information, call the shopping centre management on (041) 360-9442 or Elmarie on 082-964-0751.