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First ever Bidvest Maccabi Fun Run gets off to flying start
Maccabi South Africa’s first ever Fun Run hit the ground running on 17 June, with 425 participants, a similar number to Maccabi Great Britain’s first Fun Run in 2007, which inspired this event.
OWN CORRESPONDENT
Held at Huddle Park in Linksfield, Johannesburg, the Bidvest Maccabi Fun Run was part of a mindset change at the organisation to engage the wider community in sport by holding fun events. Maccabi SA believes it needs to strengthen sporting opportunities for the wider community.
The stature and capacity of the event was boosted by engaging Bidvest as headline sponsor, and with the help of Global Maccabi Fun Run Coordinator Danielle Bensky, and Maccabi SA Sports Director Alain Nathan. The 11th edition of the Maccabi Great Britain Fun Run took place in London on 24 June with more than 6 000 participants.
With perfect weather on the day of the Jo’burg run, families with strollers and dogs came out to take part in the 1km kiddies dash, as well as the more challenging 5km route. Food vendors, jumping castles and face painters were on hand to make sure the day had something for everyone. The Fun Run also benefitted 15 Jewish charities and organisations.
Neil Meyerowitz finished the 5km course in a blistering time of 19:24, an excellent result considering that the course was an off-road trail through the park. A young Gilad Arieli finished hot on his heels, in 20:08. A special entry was Dr Vic Boston, who had completed his 42nd Comrades Marathon the previous week.