Big prizes for pupils in Bay championships

WITH sports equipment valued at R30 000 for the five schools with the most bulk entries up for grabs, thousands of pupils are expected to turn up at the Nelson Mandela Bay South Africa 21.1km championships on Saturday.

The amounts to be distributed will range from R10 000 for the school with the most entries to R2 000 for the school with the fifth most runners.

The entrants in both the half-marathon and the 5km fun run also stand a chance of winning a new Datsun Go worth R106 900, sponsored by the race’s new partner, Eastern Cape Motor Group.

EPA Legacy Project coordinator Sithembile Mpako has confirmed the participation of about 1 000 pupils from primary schools involved in the Legacy Project who will be transported to the event.

EP Athletics initiated the Legacy Project, which is supported by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality, to promote running among primary school children.

“We aim to encourage primary school athletics coaches to inspire the children to keep training after the athletics season and to focus on a healthy lifestyle,” Mpako said.

“We want to encourage children to choose running as their sport and to aim high to succeed in this field.”

Missionvale, Ntyatyambo, Ndzondelelo, KK Ncwana-Henry Nginza, Elundini, Engileni, Douglas Mbopa, Hillcrest, Fontein, Alpha and Seagull are among the schools involved in the project.

Bulk entries from schools closed on Thursday last week, but late entries will still be accepted.

All entrants must be nine years or older on race day, or must be accompanied by an adult.

The first 500 entrants in the fun run will receive a T-shirt.

Entries for both the half-marathon and fun run at sports shops close at 5pm tomorrow.

Late entries will be accepted at the Summerstrand Surf Lifesaving Club from 2pm to 8pm on Friday and from 5.30am on Saturday.

Organisers will be supporting the Bob1000 Initiative, started by schoolteacher Richard Geyer to raise funds for cancer by donating R5 of every entry fee for the 5km race to the project.

The fun run will start at 7.30am and the 21.1km at 8am.

For inquiries: contact Mike Mbambani (079-149 6796) or Alan Taylor (083-658 0050).

Picture: RICHARD PEARCE PHOTOGRAPHY READY TO RUN: Legacy Project coordinator Sithembile Mpako with Missionvale Primary School’s eager team of, from left, Zukhanye Gcaza, 11, Carlin van der Berg, 13, Jason Fourie, 14, and Azile Kondile, 14, who are ready to compete in the 5km event in...