Usually tasked with the important role of motivating athletes before, during and after a race, well known Absa Run Your City Series (RYCS) commentators, Altus Schreuder, Sipho Mona, Sean Falconer and Thabo Molete will get to taste the action first-hand when they take on the Absa RYCS Heritage Day Virtual Run on Thursday 24 September 2020 in what has affectionately been dubbed the “Battle of the Commentators Challenge”.
A Professional Commentator, Altus Schreuder is excited to be part of such a unique occasion that has the country talking. “It is the ultimate dream of any commentator to work at, but also take part in, the same event. Trust me, there are some very excited ‘voices’ out there right now. I expect all three my ‘fellow commentators’ to be tough competition. Sean talks up a very big game, Sipho has powerful cyclist’s legs and Thabo has a devastating final 50m sprint finish. To say that I am extremely competitive would be an understatement, so watch this space. My goal is to be home already, with a POWERADE ZERO in hand waiting for the guys to complete their run.”
“I love that the average person gets to explore three main cities in South Africa at the Absa RYCS,” says Sipho Mona who is the General Manager at Velokhaya Life Cycling Academy. “Runners get to experience iconic landmarks whilst exercising and having fun with family and friends. With the cancellation of the traditional events due to COVID-19, it’s awesome that the Virtual Run will take place on National Heritage Day. I am honoured to be one of the participants. I expect tough competition from all my fellow commentators. My goal is to run a sub 55 minute 10K.”
According to Sean Falconer, Editor of Modern Athlete Magazine, it’s the incredible vibe that makes the Absa RYCS iconic. “I can’t wait to line up for my long-awaited debut, as I always get a huge feeling of FOMO on event day. Thankfully, I still have a few weeks to get in some secret training, to whittle down my lockdown weight. If only the running community could see all the behind the scenes banter as these ‘professional talkers’ start talking up their chances in their ‘one chance’ at being a professional athlete! My goal is to finish the 10K and still be able to make jokes after having to take two steps to make up for one of Thabo’s strides.”
“The Virtual Run is a great idea as it allows runners from all walks of life to celebrate Heritage Day together, albeit virtually,” says Thabo Molete, who is a Teacher by trade. “I am excited to take part in the ‘Battle of the Commentators Challenge’. I’ll be going up against three gents who are fitness monsters. As a CrossFit athlete, Altus is known to be an insanely tough nut to crack, Sean is the editor of a Running Magazine and Sipho is an amazing cyclist and has the legs for the longer run. I could, however, outsprint all my commentary counterparts. If I don’t come first in the race, I’ll definitely be going for gold in the PUMA Beat Bolt Sprint. The race is on!”
Do you believe that you’re the fastest commentator over 10K? Test your theory by signing up for the Absa RYCS Heritage Day Virtual Run, choose between the Absa Durban 10K CITYRUN or Absa Joburg 10K CITYRUN virtual routes (all commentators need to do the same distance) and show us what you’ve got on Heritage Day!
Sneak Peek: The last 100m of the Absa RYCS Heritage Day Virtual Run will feature a PUMA Beat Bolt Sprint competition. Both the male and female runner with the fastest “last 100m” time will take home a PUMA Voucher to the value of R10 000. The RYCS App will record the times. More information regarding this competition and the App will be shared at a later stage.
EVENT INFORMATION: Absa Run Your City Series Heritage Day Virtual Run
Event Date: Thursday 24 September 2020 / National Heritage Day
Entry Fee: R195.00
Time: Start – 08:00 / Cut Off – 12:00
Entries Close: Tuesday 22 September 2020 (midnight)
Enter Via: https://runyourcityseries.com/
The entry fee includes:
- Entry into the Absa RYCS Heritage Day Virtual Run
- An event Race Pack to the value of R360. Race Pack contents will include:
- An Absa RYCS Limited Edition Event Performance Tee
- An Absa RYCS Race Number
- A pair of stylish Absa Socks
- A DHL Water Bottle
- A bottle of POWERADE ZERO
- Access to the RYCS Tracking App to use during the Heritage Day Virtual Run. The App will be available to download from the Google Play and App Store from Monday 21 September 2020 and will track the runner’s progress on their actual route, while showing their ‘virtual position’ on the Cape Town, Durban or Joburg event routes.
- Race Pack delivery to the provided pickup location as selected during the entry process.
- A real time leaderboard will be available on the Tracking App.
- Final results will be shared to the Tracking App as well as the Absa RYCS website.
- All finishers will receive a digital Finisher’s medal and certificate.
- Exciting PUMA prizes will be up for grabs on the event’s social media platforms on race day.
Race Pack Delivery: Participants residing in South Africa will collect their Race Packs from the pickup location selected during the entry process. If you enter by Monday 14 September 2020 your Race Pack is guaranteed to be ready for collection before race day.
Charity Support: When entering online participants can choose to support the following Absa RYCS Charities: Cotlands, Johannesburg Heritage Foundation, Johannesburg SPCA, Reach For A Dream Foundation, TREE, Durban & Coast SPCA, LIV Village, iThemba Lethu, help2read, Die Burger Kinderfonds and The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA.
Remember to share your experience via social media!
Facebook: Ctown12 / Durban10k / Joburg-10K
Twitter: @CTown12 / @Durban10k / @joburg10K
Instagram: @capetown_12 / @Durban10k / @Joburg10K
Hashtag: #AbsaRunYourCity
For further information or to enter the Absa RYCS Heritage Day Virtual Run visit https://runyourcityseries.com/
ENDS