Gearing up for the start line on Sunday

We are just days away from the 2018 Woolworths Move for your Health 6km fun run/walk in proud association with SANParks, as part of the Landmarks event.

We hope you have trained up a storm and are all set for the day. Seven weeks ago, we began our lifestyle upgrade which included increasing our physical activity levels, making smarter nutrition choices, as well as ensuring we get quality sleep.

Now let’s focus on the actual event.

While the School’s Mass Participation competition registration took place at the Sports Science Institute of South Africa last week, all walkers and runners can still register at the Western Province Cricket Club (WPCC) Sports Centre from 5am on Sunday November 4.

We already have over 1000 children, 600 of whom are from under-resourced areas.

There are 2500 medals up for grabs for finishers of the 6km event, so make sure you get to the finish on time.

The 21.1km starts at 6am and the 6km event, at 6.45am.

The race will start and finish at the WPCC Sports Centre, which is off Keurboom Road in Rondebosch. There is parking in the nearby vicinity, but arrive early to give yourself plenty of time to park and get to the start.

Aside from offering a fun day out – we will also have the Supersport TV crew on the 6km route to capture fun moments and broadcast them around the country.

Southern Mail will be distributing placards with healthy messages that you can choose to carry as you run or walk the 6km.

The Sports Science Institute of SA (SSISA) biokineticists will be putting kids through their paces with a fun health track at the field.

A lucky draw at prize-giving will reward many a worthy half-marathon runner with Sportsman’s Warehouse vouchers, Futurelife hampers, SSISA gym and programme memberships and a few sports massages.

Providing plenty of gees will be Springfield Convent’s Marimba band who have kindly volunteered to play at the event, in addition to 18 of their girls who will be doing face-painting in the gazebo area.

There will also be snacks on sale.

A final reminder to all participants to bring a soft toy for the Red Cross Children’s Hospital.

The hospital will also welcomes donations of reading books as well as colouring-in books which will be collected at the race venue.

All that is left to say is don’t forget the sun-tan cream; bring your best smile for the day and have fun as you move for your health.

Let’s set a great example for all South Africans and keep up our healthy behaviour for the rest of our lives.

Watch out for both the event photos in this newspaper as well as how our kids score in the Healthy Active Kids South Africa (HAKSA) 2018 Report Card, which will be launched late November.

Kathleen McQuaide is the SSISA strategic, media and sponsorship manager.