Deloitte Challenge - Record field expected
The popular Deloitte Challenge is back for the third year in a row, with the 2017 event promising to be bigger and better than ever with a record field of 7 400 expected and bumper prize pool of R84 000.
Now a firm fixture on the local road running and cycling calendar, this year’s Challenge, run between Ballito and Durban, also features a corporate and schools challenge, making it the perfect event for individuals, companies and families who identify with this year’s race theme, #ChallengeYourself .
“Making a positive difference, whether it be within your private life, company, school or community involves stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself,” said Deloitte KwaZulu-Natal’s Office Managing Partner, Ruwayda Redfearn who will be participating in the 21km event again this year.
“That’s exactly what we at Deloitte KZN have resolved to do in 2017 and it’s an approach we believe will resonate with like-minded people looking to challenge themselves through the Deloitte Challenge, whether they be seasoned, intermediate or beginner runners and cyclists.”
Redfearn said the idea behind the Deloitte Challenge was to make an impact on the lives of its employees and clients through encouraging a healthy lifestyle, as well as on the community through raising funds for LIV Village, a non-profit organisation for orphaned and vulnerable children.
“As this event grows, both in size and stature, we also aim to make an increasingly positive impact on the province’s economy through an increase in sport tourism and on East Coast residents by encouraging them to live life to the full and enjoy our beautiful climate and scenery,” she said.
A slice of this year’s prize pie of R84 000 - up R14 000 over last year - is up for grabs for those taking on the Marathon, Half Marathon and Ten-k events. The Deloitte Challenge also includes a 5km fun run and a 40km road cycle race.
The cycle race, which will be the first event to start, will follow the marathon route from Ballito to Durban along the M4.
The mild May weather and stunning ocean views along the route makes this one of the many events contributing to the growing popularity of sports-related tourism in Durban.
Veterans of previous Challenges are advised that the date of this year’s event has changed from 1 May to 7 May, due to a clash with the Tour Durban cycle race.
This means the Deloitte Challenge is not a Comrades Qualifier in 2017, but it will be again in 2018. Nevertheless, said Redfearn, the 42km is ideal for a first marathon, as it is flat and scenic or for achieving a personal best, while the 21km is still a perfect, flat run to taper down your Comrades training with.
The finish venue has also changed from Kings Park Stadium to the Amphitheatre, Durban Promenade.
The 10km run, starting at the Virginia Soccer Club this year, now has a Corporate and Schools Challenge attached to it. Teams of five may be entered and the fastest accumulated time of all four runners across the finish line will be the winner.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to build company or school spirit in a competitive, but supportive and family-friendly environment,” said Redfearn, adding that a race village at the finish would offer plenty of fun activities for family, colleagues, classmates and friends who weren’t competing or had already finished the shorter events and cycle race.
All Deloitte Challenge participants are encouraged to donate to the chosen beneficiary, LIV Village, an organisation that provides holistic residential care for orphaned and vulnerable children. These children are placed into a family environment with a trained foster mother to love them.
LIV Village comprises 150 homes for 1000 children on 83 acres. It includes an early childhood development centre, a primary and a secondary school, a health care centre, social service and homes management departments, a farming initiative and LIV factories that provide crucial skills training.
“This worthy cause has received more than R67 000 from the previous two Deloitte Challenges and we’re hoping to significantly bolster that contribution this year,” Redfearn said.
Runners and cyclists can either enter online at www.DeloitteChallenge.co.za or at selected running races in KwaZulu-Natal (Kearsney Striders Half Marathon, PDAC 25km, Hillcrest Marathon, Maritzburg City Marathon, Umgeni Water Marathon and the Durban City Marathon).
The first 4 000 entrants across the Marathon, Half Marathon, Ten-K and Cycle Race events will receive stylish moisture management race shirts and all finishers off all events will receive a medal. Entries close on Monday, 24 April 2017 and no late entries will be accepted.
Redfearn urged those interested in participating in one of the race events to challenge colleagues, relatives, classmates and friends to join them, either by speaking to them in person or on social media using the #ChallengeYourself hashtag.
“Making a positive difference, whether it be within your private life, company, school or community involves stepping out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself,” said Deloitte KwaZulu-Natal’s Office Managing Partner, Ruwayda Redfearn who will be participating in the 21km event again this year.
“That’s exactly what we at Deloitte KZN have resolved to do in 2017 and it’s an approach we believe will resonate with like-minded people looking to challenge themselves through the Deloitte Challenge, whether they be seasoned, intermediate or beginner runners and cyclists.”
Redfearn said the idea behind the Deloitte Challenge was to make an impact on the lives of its employees and clients through encouraging a healthy lifestyle, as well as on the community through raising funds for LIV Village, a non-profit organisation for orphaned and vulnerable children.
“As this event grows, both in size and stature, we also aim to make an increasingly positive impact on the province’s economy through an increase in sport tourism and on East Coast residents by encouraging them to live life to the full and enjoy our beautiful climate and scenery,” she said.
A slice of this year’s prize pie of R84 000 - up R14 000 over last year - is up for grabs for those taking on the Marathon, Half Marathon and Ten-k events. The Deloitte Challenge also includes a 5km fun run and a 40km road cycle race.
The cycle race, which will be the first event to start, will follow the marathon route from Ballito to Durban along the M4.
The mild May weather and stunning ocean views along the route makes this one of the many events contributing to the growing popularity of sports-related tourism in Durban.
Veterans of previous Challenges are advised that the date of this year’s event has changed from 1 May to 7 May, due to a clash with the Tour Durban cycle race.
This means the Deloitte Challenge is not a Comrades Qualifier in 2017, but it will be again in 2018. Nevertheless, said Redfearn, the 42km is ideal for a first marathon, as it is flat and scenic or for achieving a personal best, while the 21km is still a perfect, flat run to taper down your Comrades training with.
The finish venue has also changed from Kings Park Stadium to the Amphitheatre, Durban Promenade.
The 10km run, starting at the Virginia Soccer Club this year, now has a Corporate and Schools Challenge attached to it. Teams of five may be entered and the fastest accumulated time of all four runners across the finish line will be the winner.
“This is a wonderful opportunity to build company or school spirit in a competitive, but supportive and family-friendly environment,” said Redfearn, adding that a race village at the finish would offer plenty of fun activities for family, colleagues, classmates and friends who weren’t competing or had already finished the shorter events and cycle race.
All Deloitte Challenge participants are encouraged to donate to the chosen beneficiary, LIV Village, an organisation that provides holistic residential care for orphaned and vulnerable children. These children are placed into a family environment with a trained foster mother to love them.
LIV Village comprises 150 homes for 1000 children on 83 acres. It includes an early childhood development centre, a primary and a secondary school, a health care centre, social service and homes management departments, a farming initiative and LIV factories that provide crucial skills training.
“This worthy cause has received more than R67 000 from the previous two Deloitte Challenges and we’re hoping to significantly bolster that contribution this year,” Redfearn said.
Runners and cyclists can either enter online at www.DeloitteChallenge.co.za or at selected running races in KwaZulu-Natal (Kearsney Striders Half Marathon, PDAC 25km, Hillcrest Marathon, Maritzburg City Marathon, Umgeni Water Marathon and the Durban City Marathon).
The first 4 000 entrants across the Marathon, Half Marathon, Ten-K and Cycle Race events will receive stylish moisture management race shirts and all finishers off all events will receive a medal. Entries close on Monday, 24 April 2017 and no late entries will be accepted.
Redfearn urged those interested in participating in one of the race events to challenge colleagues, relatives, classmates and friends to join them, either by speaking to them in person or on social media using the #ChallengeYourself hashtag.
Twitter - @SportswaveAndre