Close to 1500 people participated in the Spar Daily Dispatch Summer Fun Run along the East London Esplanade yesterday morning.
The participants – able-bodied, in wheelchairs, on crutches or using walking sticks – were accompanied by a cool breeze as they took off from the Orient Pools along the flat 4km route.
Selfie booths entertained entrants on the other side of the finish line while others walked away with prizes in the many giveaways which went on throughout the morning.
Daily Dispatch marketing manager Penelope Smith said the turnout this year had been great. “The support we received will go a long way to make this one of the biggest races in East London and we thank everyone for coming out and taking part.”
Selborne Primary School Grade 3 pupil Ubuko Mpotulo, a double amputee, said he was happy he had run the race.
In a report in the Saturday Dispatch Mpotulo, who had been visiting East London prosthetist Marissa Nel to have his artificial limbs adjusted before the race, had said he was looking forward to his first run.
Talking to him after the race, Mpotulo said: “It was good. My legs are feeling good and I am keen to try this again next year.”
Stephanie Smith, who had accompanied Mpotulo, said it had all gone well. “We started out running and then walked a bit. About half way through though he asked for a piggy back ride and I gave him one,” she said.
“A few metres from the finish line I asked him if we could run to the end and he agreed. We did great. It was a nice bit of teamwork there.”
Thabo Mpunyuza, who came first in the 4km wheelchair category, was proud of his performance.
An avid racer who participates in many races, including international ones, he said his only challenge was the state of his wheelchair. “I could have done much better if it wasn’t for this wheelchair but I’m unfortunately struggling to find a sponsor to assist me,” he said.
“But the race was great. I did it last year as well and it’s a wonderful bit of exercise. I’m keen to race on a professional level too.”
Coming in on piggyback was 11-year-old double amputee Karabo Nobuwa, bravely running the race alongside supportive participant Lisa van Wyk.
Nobuwa, from Queenstown, ran using prosthetic legs also fitted by Nel. “It was nice. I did run some of the way but then I had to walk some of it too. In the end I just got too tired to do both but I still had fun,” he said.
Van Wyk said it was all a wonderful experience.
“It was awesome,” she said.