Media Release
Road Closures and “ Green Housekeeping" for the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10 / 5km Challenge Pietermaritzburg: Sunday 19 August
Participants and supporters of the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge, which takes place this Sunday, around Alexandra Park and the outskirts of the CBD, are asked to take note of the road closures to avoid traffic congestion on the day, as well as the new environmentally-friendly approach to the race.
“Four thousand five hundred 5km and 10km runners and walkers are expected to start the race at 8am in Princess Margaret Drive, opposite Maritzburg College, so leaving home early to avoid traffic is highly recommended,” says Race Director, Brad Glasspoole. “We request that our participants and all their wonderful supporters note the road closure times, so they can get to the start line without having to rush. We are also requesting that participants take note of the new water supply procedures that will come into effect in this race as an endeavour to help minimise plastic waste that cannot be recycled."
The road closures and times are as follows:
Sunday, August 19
Balmoral - closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Princess Margaret - closed from 03:00 – 11: 00
Park Drive between Princess Margaret and Princess Elizabeth - closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Princess Elizabeth - closed from 03:00 – 11:00
Park Drive from College Rd to Princess Elizabeth - closed from 07:00 – 11:00
Alexandra Road from Cross Rd to Alan Paton Ave - closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 10:00
Alan Paton Ave from Alexandra Rd to Burger St - closed (inbound only) from 07:00 – 08:30
Alexandra Road - closed in both directions from 07:30 until approximately 08:45 (to accommodate the large field)
In an effort to look after the environment the Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10/5km Challenge has added in a number of new systems to either avoid excessive use of plastic or include more recycling options. The race Goodie Bags are no longer plastic bags but recyclable SPAR paper bags, and breakfast packs that are issued to each participant that finishes, also come in paper bags.
The big improvement in 2018 will be the elimination of the water sachets, replaced with aQuelle 500ml still water PET bottles which are fully recyclable. This will take some getting used to for participants but falls in line with SPAR, Athletics South Africa and KwaZulu-Natal Athletics’ responsible citizen programmes aimed at protecting the environment.
Each athlete will be able to collect a 500ml bottle of aQuelle water prior to the start at 08:00. Participants must carry the bottle during the event and dispose of the bottles at either the finish of the 5km or at the Time Freight half-way table of the 10km event where participants will be able to collect a second 500ml bottle for the second leg of the route. Each entrant will then receive a bottle of water on completion of the race.
Manual Registration can be done at Race Registration on Friday 17 August from 10am to 5pm and on Saturday 18 August from 10am to 3pm at The Oval Cricket Ground, Alexandra Park. The field is limited to 4500 participants.
For more info contact the race organisers on maritzburg@sparwomensrace.co.za or visit the official race on www.sparwomensrace.co.za or like the Facebook page.
-ends
Sharlene Versfeld
Versfeld & Associates
Public Relations and Communications
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Email: sharlene@versfeld.co.za
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