Nike run - taking back the streets
NIKE and the City of Joburg are determined to claim back the streets of the inner city.
This week the sports apparel brand and the city launched the Run Free Run Jozi campaign - a 10km night race through the busy streets of Joburg's CBD areas on Human Rights Day, March 21.
"We singled out Human Rights Day as race day because of the significance the day holds and, more importantly, to enable our runners to celebrate their heritage, freedom and their right to take back the streets for the night," says Anwar Jappie, brand director for Nike South Africa.
The one-of-a-kind race starts at 7pm on Nelson Mandela Bridge and heads into the usually bustling streets of the City.
After charging off into the night, runners will encounter energetic music and motivation water points, cheering them on to the finish.
In acknowledging the importance of Human Rights Day, the runners will pass such iconic landmarks as the City Hall, Luthuli House, Constitution Hill, the Jeppe Police Station, Johannesburg Stadium and the Ponte Tower.
The runners will be welcomed at the finish line on Mary Fitzgerald Square in Newtown, which will also serve as a celebratory chill-out zone featuring music and other entertainment for the runners.
This inaugural race is part of the Nike We Run City 10km world series tour that is galvanising such international cities as Mexico City, Buenos Aires (Argentina), Kuala Lumpur (Malaysia) and Rio de Janeiro (Brazil), with its unique experience combining running and music.
"We want to single-mindedly motivate 10000 runners to get to the starting line on March 21, and inspire them to connect with, and own their city," says Jappie.
City of Johannesburg MMC for Community Development Councillor Chris Vondo says hosting the race in partnership with the City of Joburg was testimony to the city growing its reputation as a premier sporting destination and increasingly becoming part of the global sporting community.
Vondo says the campaign and its objective of taking back the streets resonates well with the City's Growth and Development Strategy 2040, which aims to enable all the city's residents to live and work in a safe, clean environment that they can be proud of.
He says the initiative follows on the heels of the Joburg Carnival that also aims to take back the streets of Joburg and rid our beautiful city of crime.
Online registration for the run opened on January 31 on the race website: www.runjozi.com
