Big Walk entrants brave the cold
By Caryn Dolley
Despite the persistent rainfall and chilling temperature, 80 percent of this year's 34 015 Discovery Cape Times Big Walk entrants braved the elements and took to the wet streets on Sunday.
And aside from a few minor falls and some participants suffering from mild hypothermia, the event was hailed a major success.
First held in 1905, the Discovery Cape Times Big Walk is the world's biggest timed walk, South Africa's oldest mass participation sporting event and globally is the second oldest event to the Tour de France.
On Sunday, wearing waterproof items ranging from ponchos and raincoats to black bags, the majority of this year's entrants arrived for the walk undeterred by the constant downpours and drizzle.
By Caryn DolleyDespite the persistent rainfall and chilling temperature, 80 percent of this year's 34 015 Discovery Cape Times Big Walk entrants braved the elements and took to the wet streets on Sunday.
And aside from a few minor falls and some participants suffering from mild hypothermia, the event was hailed a major success.
First held in 1905, the Discovery Cape Times Big Walk is the world's biggest timed walk, South Africa's oldest mass participation sporting event and globally is the second oldest event to the Tour de France.
On Sunday, wearing waterproof items ranging from ponchos and raincoats to black bags, the majority of this year's entrants arrived for the walk undeterred by the constant downpours and drizzle.
Event spokesperson, Eddy Cassar, said organisers were "overwhelmed" at the turnout.
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"We're over the moon. We never expected so many to turn up. Cape Town has responded to this event with a big heart," he said.
Cassar said the response to a 13km Gugulethu walk, new to the event's nine routes walked on Sunday, had also been "thrilling".
More than 800 of the route's 1 000 participants had shown up and walked from Klipfontein Road in Gugulethu to the St George's Grammar School finish line in Mowbray.
Cassar thanked those at the school who had allowed the fields to be used in the event.
This year a record number of people, about 7 000 more than last year, entered the big walk.
Sunday's oldest participant was 80 years old.
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"We're over the moon. We never expected so many to turn up. Cape Town has responded to this event with a big heart," he said.
Cassar said the response to a 13km Gugulethu walk, new to the event's nine routes walked on Sunday, had also been "thrilling".
More than 800 of the route's 1 000 participants had shown up and walked from Klipfontein Road in Gugulethu to the St George's Grammar School finish line in Mowbray.
Cassar thanked those at the school who had allowed the fields to be used in the event.
This year a record number of people, about 7 000 more than last year, entered the big walk.
Sunday's oldest participant was 80 years old.
Ross MacDonald crossed the 80km finish line in a time of nine hours, 21 minutes and 48 seconds.
Established by the Spartan Harriers Athletic Club, the big walk raises funds for many charities run by the Rotary Club of Claremont and in particular for the South African Breast Cancer Association, the Steenberg Foundation and Nazareth House.
Cassar said about R1-million was raised for charities last year and it was expected more than that amount had been raised this year.
Cassar said about R1-million was raised for charities last year and it was expected more than that amount had been raised this year.
Despite the rain, Capetonians took to the streets for the Discovery Cape Times Big Walk on Sunday.
I snapped some pics of the intrepid walkers coming through Kalk Bay..
Well done to all who walked the talk and raised money for some very worthy causes!
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