Lockdown: Johannesburg running

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Lockdown: Johannesburg running club hosts virtual marathon

Runners were out in force, on the streets of Johannesburg over the weekend. A marathon was taking place but nobody would have guessed that. A Johannesburg running club hosted a marathon, albeit a virtual one.

Lockdown: Johannesburg running

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Johannesburg based running club, Runzone, was due to hold its first Johannesburg North City Marathon on 22 March 2020. The club and race organisers had invested huge amounts of time, effort and money into the marketing, the organisation and the necessary approvals for the event earlier this year.

Sadly, due to the pandemic and fears surrounding contagion, the club decided to call off the race. Runzone’s inaugural marathon was due to take place just before the national lockdown was implemented. The race organisers were extremely disappointed in calling off their debut long-distance running event, as well as having to let down thousands of enthusiastic Joburg runners.

Joburg North marathon postponed

The race organisers decided not to keep the race proceeds, but instead, to postpone the event. The event took place this past weekend, but not as a conventional marathon. The race organisers opted to host a virtual marathon, allowing athletes from all over the city to run their own race, in their own neighbourhoods, and to submit their results to the race organisers, to be awarded their medals.

Virtual marathon takes place instead

If you noticed a surge in the number of road runners on the streets of Johannesburg over the weekend, you may have wondered what was going on.

Runners were competing in the half marathon or the full marathon, on their own or with up to three fellow runners. The virtual event had to be completed on either Saturday or Sunday – and results had to be submitted to the race organisers for recording purposes.   

Happy runners were on the road again

Race participants were spotted in various neighbourhoods, sporting colourful kit and buffs. Happy to be doing what they love, on chilly but sunny winter days. There was a camaraderie and sense of togetherness when runners crossed paths, but runners also practised safe social distancing.

It was a wonderful reason to get out and compete, despite being under very different race conditions.

Current restrictions on running allow runners to run in groups of up to four people, while applying social distancing, and using masks to cover their mouths and noses. 

Also read: Johannesburg Botanical Gardens opens after months of lockdown