The first virtual 5-km fun run the North-West University (NWU) hosted on 16 May was a runaway success. More than 600 runners from as far as New Zealand, Germany and China took part in the online event.

All the runners needed to participate was a smartphone and a fitness device to enter their times on Wufoo at the end of their run.  All the participants had to adhere to lockdown level 4 regulations and had to stay within a 5km radius of their houses during the fun run.

 “We had over 900 registrations and a total of 603 successful runners taking part,” says NWU stakeholder relations practitioner Louis Janse van Rensburg.

“This shows that communities all over the world are now finding new ways to live their ‘normal’ lives. We are very grateful for the support that we have received from NWU students, staff, stakeholders and members of the public. This event was proof that, even during tough times, we can all come together for a greater purpose.”

He adds that the successful event has motivated the NWU to come up with more creative ideas of keeping the community spirit alive while practicing safe social distancing.

The NWU will announce more events of a similar nature soon.

Fun run winners:

Junior men and women (nine to 19 years)

Armand van Dyk with a time of 15.08

Jolandi de Beer with a time of 18.5

Senior men and women (20 to 39 years)

Robbie de Villiers with a time of 14.59

Katlego Motlogedi and Bianca le Grange with a time of 19.44

Veteran men and women (40 to 49 years)

Risimati Hobyane with a time of 22.54

Daleen van der Merwe with a time of 23.04

Master men and women (50 to 59 years)

Nico Deerling with a time of 20.03

Mpho Mahlakoleng with a time of 25.00

Grand master men and women (60 to 69years)

Boeta Pretorius with a time of 23.52

Lesley Wood with a time of 25.57

Great grand master men and women (70+)

Chris Hatting with a time of 26.07
Rene Tepper with a time of 46.00