ROAD runners have the chance to take part in an exciting event that links the Howard College and Westville campuses in Durban when the UKZN Campus to Campus 10km race and 5km fun run take place on Sunday, July 28.
The undulating 10km event starts at Howard College campus on the Berea with its spectacular views over the Durban harbour. Runners will then wind their way through the Westridge residential area to King Cetshwayo Highway, through the Sherwood and Westwood suburbs to the Westville campus where the longer event finishes on the sport fields. The 5km fun run starts at the Main Hall (MH Joosub Hall) at Westville and finishes on the Westville sports fields.
There is no shortage of symbolism in the event that links the two campuses 15 years after the University of Durban-Westville and the University of Natal merged to form the University of KwaZulu-Natal in 2004.
Just as the new university united the rich histories of the two institutions, the 10km race and 5km fun run will be bringing together hundreds of runners from all across KwaZulu-Natal to celebrate a healthy lifestyle.
The race is not just about people having fun. There is also a serious aspect to the event as it takes place in part to support the United Nations AIDS’ Global 90-90-90 strategy which aims to help end the worldwide AIDS epidemic. The Global 90-90-90 strategy is an ambitious UNAIDS treatment campaign with targets 2020 as the year in which 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; 90% of all people with diagnosed HIV infection will receive sustained anti-retroviral therapy; and 90% of all people receiving anti-retroviral therapy will have viral suppression.
UKZN’s Executive Director of Corporate Relations, Ashton Bodrick said he is excited for this year’s Campus to Campus event.
“I am confident this year’s UKZN Campus to Campus is going to establish the race as one of the must-do events on the road-running calendar,” said Boderick. “We are putting a lot of effort into making this event special and in the spirit of UKZN’s strategic goals of excellence we believe the event will be the best we have ever had.
“This event and the UNAIDS Global 90-90-90 strategy which we support, both aim to promote a healthy lifestyle, and we invite the UKZN community as well as the public at large to show their support – and bring along friends and family and have a day of fun!
“We encourage all the 5km fun runners to dress to the theme of this year’s event, #1LoveUKZN, and contribute to a day of fun.”
In addition to prize money for the 10km race, participants in both race and fun run with qualify for several lucky draw hampers.
Runners can enter at any Pick n Pay Store or via www.finishtime.co.za. Entries for the 10km close on July 22 at 10am. No 10km entries will be taken on the day of the race. All 10km entrants get free t-shirts. UKZN registered students can enter the 10km race for free (enter via www.ukzn.ac.za).
Entry to the Fun Run is free and participants are encouraged to dress to the theme of #1LoveUKZN. Free t-shirts will be given to the first 250 runners who register for the Fun Run.
Registration, race number and race pack collection will be at the Student Union at Pietermatizburg Campus on Wednesday, July 24; Student Union at Howard College Campus on Thursday, July 25; Main Hall at the Westville Campus on Friday, July 26; and Admin Building (MW Makgoba Building) on Westville Campus on Saturday July 27.
More information at www.ukzn.ac.za and all race enquiries to 076 187 2808, 082 371 8736 or campus2campus@ukzn.ac.za.