Downtown Johannesburg was abuzz this past Saturday, but not for the usually reasons. Close to 10 000 people made their way to Mary Fitzgerald Square to participate in the Nike’ s WE RUN JOZI 10 km night run.
Runners making their way over the Mandela Bridge to the start Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
Runners congregate at the start Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
The eager runners assembled at corner of Miriam Makeba and Bree streets in their red and grey Nike T-shirts. Runners were split into two team, Move Downtown team in grey T-shirts and the Move Uptown in red T-shirts. The runners started together but split at the M1 Highway onto different 10 km routes. The two routes merged again near the end of the race close to Mary Fitzgerald Square.
On Your Marks: And they are off Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
Just before 8pm a gunshot accompanied with glitter sent the runners off into a crisp Johannesburg evening.
RUN Forest RUN: More than 10000 runners make through downtown Jozi Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
Entrants ran under the night skies through downtown Jozi, passing popular sites such as City Hall Constitutional Hill and Market Street.
The end: A nike sighn that welcomed the runners Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
30 minutes and 38 seconds after the start of the race, Gladwin Mzazi was the first runner to make it past the finish line. He was followed by the first female runner who finished in 36 minutes and five seconds.
The Medals: some of the prizes the winners took home Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
Both winners ran away with an all-expenses paid trip to Brazil to compete in We Run Rio 2013. Witsies also came in their numbers to RUN JOZI.
WITSIES ON THE MOVE: From left: Natasha Salant, Tiisetso Murray, Michael Kamps and Jackline Atsango Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
GOLD MEMBER: Wisties Nomumiso Gwala and Meldah Pilusa celebrate after their run. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
LAUGHING HELPS: Mandy Mundell and Mark Dunnik share a joke after their race. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
SISTER ACT: Bongiwe Ndiweni stand next to sisters Itshekeng and Kgatiso Kungoane after they finished the race in a little over an hour. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
WE ARE DIONE: Thoriso Moseneke and Jacqlyne Jae Titus celebrate on the Mandela Bridge after finishing the race. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
After the race runners and spectators were treated to music by Gold Fish and Chiano Sky.
PARTY TIME: Sphelele Dunga and Vizi Ntshanyana enjoy the music and the a drink as they wait their friends at the finish line. Photo: Nokuthula Manyathi
