Call to enter the Tour de Township
All runners, cyclists and walkers are called on to enter the Energizer Light Race, in which participants will race the streets, dirt tracks and single track footpaths of Soweto, lit up at night to display the iconic South African township in dazzling glory. The date is Saturday, 10 May, 2014, and there are various events, including a 20km mountain biking event, a 10km run and a 5km walk.
As entrants move along the route, they will be entertained by the sights and sounds of a truly South African experience. There will be plenty of additional entertainment for spectators and participants at Mofolo Park, where all the routes begin and end.
Energizer will illuminate the safe and guided routes, which vary slightly for each of the three events. The Soweto street culture will be bright with energy and light, and entrants can expect to move to the beat of Zulu drums and Pantsula dancers as they travel past the Orlando Towers; the famed Vilakazi street, which is home to two Nobel peace prize winners: Nelson Mandela and Desmond Tutu; through shack settlements and on to the Mandela House Museum. Refreshments will be available at spaza shops and the Sakhumzi and Sedibeng restaurants. At Mofolo Park, DJ Milkshake, George the Beatboxer and brilliant Laser Dancers will be keeping the crowd lit up from 6pm onwards, and there will be plenty of food and drink available from local shisanyama's and African cuisine caterers. The mountain bike race kicks off at 6.30pm, with the 10km run following at 6.45pm and the 5km walk leaving last at 7.15pm. The entertainment will only end at midnight, so there will be plenty of time for racers and bystanders alike to party the night away.
A one of a kind
According to Rashmi Vadivelu, brand manager of Energizer, this race is going to be a one of a kind. "We wanted to create something that embodied the 'get up and go' spark and spirit of our brand. This event definitely does that - and we are looking forward to seeing everyone shine on the night."
All participants must enter online at www.energizerlightrace.co.za and spectator tickets are available from the site as well. Entrants will receive a fantastic Energizer hamper, and there are several convenient registration venues to choose from, including the Cycle Lab in Fourways, The Creative Counsel Offices (on Corner of Corlett Drive, Opposite Melrose Arch) and Maponya Mall, Soweto.
For more information, go to www.energizerlightrace.co.za
Race routes:
- 10km trail run: Leaving the starting point at Mofolo Park, the route will pass Nancefield Zulu Hostel, go over the bridge at Dube Station and along the small stream with the suburb of Klipspruit on the right, turning left at the Power Park Dam and the Orlando Towers. It will then pass through Nomzamo Shack settlement, crossing over the railway bridge in Orlando adjacent to Orlando Stadium through to Vilakazi Street before heading back through Dube Village to Mofolo Park.
- 5km walk: The walk will start at Mofolo Park, then heads into Dube Village past the Ubuntu Kraal and Winnie Mandela's home before crossing over the Orlando Koppie. It then moves onto Vilakazi Street before heading back through Dube Village to Mofolo Park.
- 20km mountain bike race: The route begins at Mofolo Park and follows the wetland north to Dorothy Nyembe Park, circling this park before passing Sedibeng Restaurant. It moves through Dube Hostel then heads to Mzimhlope with, before turning back with Orlando Stadium on the left heading to Vilakazi Street. It then briefly joins the runners and walkers along Vilakazi Street before heading past Winnie Mandela's house and back to Mofolo Park.
