Cape Town - The Gugs Race is set to return in-person on Friday for the first time since the onset of the pandemic. Under the theme, “Run for Unity”, the Gugulethu-based race will take place on the Day of Reconciliation, which celebrates South Africa’s transition to democracy.
Under the theme, “Run for Unity”, the Gugulethu-based race will take place on the Day of Reconciliation, which celebrates South Africa’s transition to democracy.
Gugulethu Athletics Club chairperson and race organiser Aubrey Shoko answers a few questions about one of the most popular events on the road-running calendar.
Q: Can you share some history around the Gugs Race and how it came to be?
A: The RCS Gugs Race was established as the Amy Biehl Race in 2000, to honour the American human rights activist and Fulbright Scholar who was murdered in Gugulethu in 1993. The objective was to promote positive relations among South Africans. Now in its 21st year, the focus is still on reconciliation, but we are also encouraging a running culture.
Q: Why has Day of Reconciliation been chosen as the race day?
A: The Day of Reconciliation is a day that was created to foster unity and reconciliation across the country and in the true spirit of reconciliation, our event draws large crowds from different social backgrounds from the city and the province.
Q: What can participants expect on the day?
A: The organising club will welcome race participants at the NY49 Gugulethu Stadium for registration as early as 5am on race day. The main race (10km) will start at 6.30am and participants will run through the streets of Gugulethu, passing the Gugulethu 7 and Amy Biehl memorials. Along the route the runners will be welcomed by Gugs residents, cheering them on. The event is also popular among kids who will line the streets very early on race morning, anticipating sweet packs from generous runners. This is a unique feature of our race. There will also be entertainment along the route provided by a marimba band and food stalls inside the venue. The runners will then head back to the NY49 Stadium, where the prize-giving will take place. The prize money is very competitive this year. There will also be lucky draws and prizes to be won, courtesy of RCS. There is also a Fun Run (4.2km). The route differs from that of the main race and will concentrate in the area surrounding the stadium.
Q: How many people are you expecting to enter, what was the average in previous years pre-Covid?
A: Our event has always attracted 1 200 – 1 500 runners of different fitness levels. After a two-year hiatus due to the Covid-19 pandemic, we expect large numbers coming to Gugs. We also expect the prize money for winners to attract a lot of our top-flight athletes in the province.
Q: What would you like the race to progress to/achieve in the coming years?
A: As a club our aim is not only for the December race but for our Youth Day event too, to show that sport has the power to unite, and our chosen sport, running, is no different. We would like to not only show our community that running is an avenue of hope in the township but also part of the solution to staying forever young. We also wish to grow our event in size and participation, we will hopefully one day break the 2 000 runners barrier.
Cape Times