Season of beautiful beach runs kicks off on Cape West Coast

CleanC the NPO behind the Cape Town Beach Clean Up held its first Beautiful Beach Run on Sunday 28th September at Silwerstroomstrand,  40km North of Cape Town on the West Coast.

In near perfect conditions, on a stunning spring day100 avid trail runners and outdoor lovers joined CleanC to run the 2.5km, 5km and 12km routes along the spectacular west coast coastline in a race that was literally  one of the most beautiful in the world.  An excellent turnout saw experienced athletes join less experienced athletes and families enjoy a fun day. “For good reason, we named the run “The most beautiful beach run in the world”” says Greg Player, founder of CleanC and the Cape Town Beach Clean Up “Not only is the scenery naturally outstanding, but it ties in with our Beautiful Future projects that include our Run to Lead campaign”

Run to Lead is a CleanC initiative requiring 21 runners to sponsor a group young development runners to complete the 2 Oceans Half Marathon in 2015. It is one of the Clean C/Cape Town Beach cleanups Mandela Year projects it serves to be a community building and upliftment project using running as a way to connect and build relationships  with someone by going on runs together and enjoying the outdoors together. “The initiative gives people the opportunity to do something they would normally never have had the opportunity to do and make a difference to themselves, their community and their country.” explains Player.

The race raised R3000 for CleanC and was the first of a season of Trail and Beach Runs the organization has planned. “Not only do we wish to create fun fundraising events” continues Player “but we also want to showcase the outstanding beaches around Cape Town in a unique way, playing our part in sustaining and promoting tourism”

The 12km race was won by Siviwe Komani, a young runner from Joe Slovo Park on the Run to Lead project who beat vastly more experienced runners in the field with an excellent time of 1hr 2minutes for 12km. “I feel good running” said Komani “I am really grateful to be on the Run to Lead project”, the smile on his face and the 5 other young runners from Joe Slovo Park summed up the event.

The Silwerstroomstrand event will take place again in late September 2015 with 500 entries being made available; a number of other trail and beach runs, including some in townships will be open for entry on www.cleanc.co.za in mid-November.    

For further information on these events or for interviews with please contact Greg Player This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 082 873 1962 or Matthew Newnham This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or call 078 327 1493