New route for Gun Run Half Marathon

Entries are now open for this highly popular road race event which features a half marathon (21,1 km) 10 km run / walk and 5 km fun run/walk.

OUTsurance and 94.5KFM have again teamed up to present this race, now in its 17h year, organized by the Atlantic Athletic Club. In 2008 there were 7905 entries over the 3 events making this the 2nd biggest road race in greater Cape Town.

Race date is Sunday 11 October. The half marathon starts at 7 am with the 10 km following at 7h30 and the 5 km fun run / walk at 7h45. As is a popular and unique tradition in the Gun Run, the Cape Field Artillery will fire a cannon to mark the start and the cut-off at 10h00.

R40 000 in prize money is up for grabs by the category winners and, as the half marathon doubles up as the Western Province Championships, a class field can be expected with serious racing at the front for provincial titles and recognition for selection to represent Western Province nationally.

Major changes and on-going construction work in Green Point this year affecting the traditional finish at Hamiltons Rugby Club have forced yet another move. Runners will now run into the finish on the lush lawns next to the Atlantic Ocean on Sea Point promenade.

A major innovation this year is yet another change in the route for the half marathon. The race still starts in Mouille Point but the unattractive section through Cape Town docks now presents security problems with the area having strictly controlled access and the section through the city centre along Adderley Street has become more difficult year on year from a traffic, safety and marshalling perspective. The new route will still take in the interesting and famous V & A Waterfront but runners will exit into Ebeneezer Road, pass the Traffic Depepartment onto Somerset Road where the 94.5KFM office will again be manning a colourful refreshment station. The route then follows Green Point Main Road onto Beach Road followed at about 12 km by a steady 1,2 km climb on Kloof Road through Bantry Bay and Clifton to Camps Bay and returning to Sea Point on Victoria Road and the promenade.

The hill is going to be a hot topic as it deviates slightly from the tradition of this being a fast flat course but the stunning views over the ocean and towards Clifton and the Twelve Apostles are well worth the climb. Runners then have the respite of a 3 km descent as they sweep past some of the most expensive residential properties on the African continent.

All finishers in the cut off will receive a medal and at prize giving will stand a chance of winning R10 000 cash, Asics running shoes or other exciting prizes in the lucky draw.

The official charity this year is The Homestead which is involved in projects for street children. Funds raised will go towards the building fund for a new Child & Youth Care Centre in Khayelitsha being developed in partnership with the SASDI Foundation.

Entry forms is available at Sportsmans Warehouse stores and local road races or can be downloaded from the WPA website (Events Calendar)

www.sportsclubs.uctac.za/wpa/

For more information, a map of the route and up-dates visit these websites:

www.outsurance.co.za/gunrun

www.atlanticathletic.co.za