Scores of athletes braved the chilly weather this morning to take it to the road as the Khayelitsha Athletics Club (KAC) tested its inaugural half marathon route.

The half marathon is scheduled for September 4, and the organisers wanted to ensure that residents are not caught off-guard.

 “Some residents are not used to seeing people running around their houses, so we hosted this test to bring them on-board. We are working hand-in-hand with neighborhood watch members from the affected suburbs, and today’s event has been given thumbs up by everyone,” explained KAC’s Vukile Sonandzi.

 He said the clubs hosted more than 100 runners from other clubs, and hoped other clubs would continue supporting them in the buildup to the event.

 Sonandzi said the event, the first of its kind in the Khayelitsha area, is set to give runners a different taste. 

“We will give athletes a three-in-one dose. They will be running but it will be like a chess game. This route is going to test their mental strengths and fitness abilities.”

 Sonandzi added that he hopes that the event will inspire the youth to focus on good things in life. “Khayelitsha is not an ideal place to invite people right now because of the high rate of crime, but as sports people we can play a role to change that. We are hoping through this venture youngsters will aspire to be the Caster SImenyas  and Zola Buds of this world.”