Have I trained enough? Am I fit enough? Will I make the 10km route all in one piece?

No matter how you feel, how much you’ve trained, how fast you’ll run or how many times you’ll slow down to walk, this weekend’s Nike #WeRunJozi is going to be awesome and what’s really important is that you find your own personal greatness.

I started “running” recently and completed my first 10km with Tanya at the Pirates annual 10km race. It was tough, but not as tough as I’d thought it would be. I do give Tanya LOADS of credit for this, as she coached me up the steep hills of Westcliff and kept me running into the field at the finish when I could so easily have slowed down to walk the last hundred meters.

Then I went on to complete the TotalSports Ladies 10km race, which was tough for other reasons,  including running all alone (well, there were loads of other runners, obviously, but no one I knew!), super-steep climbs right off the starting line and the harsh winter sun glaring in my eyes! (Note to self: purchase and WEAR a cap on Sunday!)

My next race was the recent Rhino Run, which was a 6km trail run which was, in a word, INSANE! It was reminiscent of cross-country in junior school which was my worst nightmare. Mud, hills, gravel, uneven terrain, rain, more mud, ducking under tree trunks, sliding down moss-covered rocks and running. BUT, I did it!

I popped over to the Nike Store at The Zone in Rosebank a couple of weeks ago to participate in one of their training runs, which was fun but also made me realize that I prefer running in the mornings. Running on Oxford Road at 6pm on a hot summer evening is NOT my idea of fun! At least I looked happy in the pic they got of me in the warm-up session

What I’m trying to say here is that YOU can do it. Yes, YOU! 10km sounds far, and I guess it is … but I’ve discovered that if you put your mind to something, you’ll be blown away by what your body can do!

I was SO chuffed, as a rookie-runner of note, to be asked to take part in the Nike #MediaRuns Challenge … it felt like someone else believed in me. Believed that I was good enough to be part of “the club”. And we all know how great it is to feel like you’re a part of something big … which is EXACTLY what this Sunday’s #WeRunJozi is going to be … something BIG!

With that said, here is some information for anyone running the race on Sunday, as well as info for people who want to spectate and simply be a part of the buzz!

With road closures and heavy traffic expected, organisers are encouraging runners and spectators to make their way into Sandton as early as possible.  Primary parking will be available at the Sandton Convention Centre and the Gautrain Station in Sandton. While parking for VIPs, media, staff and crew will be provided at Innesfree Park.

From here, runners will be directed to the starting pens on the Corner of Wierda Road East and Katherine Street in Sandton. Race goers are expected to be at the start line no later than 08h40, with the start gun sounding off at 09h00.

Along with the cheering crowd of supporters encouraging athletes as they run through the iconic suburbs of Sandton and Alexandra, a leader car and Metro Clearing vehicle will be ahead of the front runners, guiding them to the finish line. A sweeper car will follow the final runners as they make their way through the course.

Four water points will be stationed along the route, as well as a number of Marshalls to keep runners safe and offer encouragement. The JMPD will be on hand to ensure roads are free of traffic, and cycling medics will ride the route, supported by a rapid response vehicle if required.

As runners charge their way over the M1 highway finish line, they will be directed to Innesfree Park. Here, athletes can cool down and celebrate their great achievements. Innesfree Park will come alive with festivities and activities, where runners will be treated to post-race live entertainment and refreshments.

A prize-giving ceremony will be held in the post-race area, where the top eight male and female participants will be handed their medals and cheques to the combined value of over R100,000.00.

Race packs will be available for collection at the Nike Expo situated at @ The Zone, Rosebank Mall on 4th and 5th October, between 10h00-20h00, and on 6th October between 09h00 and 18h00.
 
Road closures will be in effect in the Sandton and Alexandra area from 06:00 until 24:00 on Sunday. The race will start at 09:00 on Katherine Street in Sandton, traverse into Alexandra, Wynberg and finish on the M1 highway south, northbound carriageway.
 
Roads affected include:

• M1 North Closure from Grayston to Marlboro turn-off : 00h00 to 16h00, 7 October 2012
• M1 Northbound on-ramp closure : 00h00 to 16h00, 7 October 2012
• Katherine Street North bound lane from the corner of West up to Grayston Bridge : 00h00 to 11h00, 7 October 2012
• Katherine Street North bound lane from the corner of West up to Barlow Park : 06h00 to 13h00, 7 October 2012
• Katherine Street South bound will become a dual carraige lane : 00h00 to 11h00, 7 October 2012
• Grayston Road, traffic interference from Grayston Bridge to M1 on-ramp : 00h00 to 11h00, 7 October 2012
• Marlboro on-ramp South will be closed sporadically to allow runners to cross onto M1 (rolling closure) : 09h00 to 12h00, 7 October 2012
• Pretoria Main Rd North bound between Florence and Marlboro Drive closure 06h00 to 14h00, 7 October 2012
• Pretoria Main Rd South will become a dual carraige way : 06h00 to 14h00, 7 October 2012
• Expect heavy traffic around Innesfree Park and surrounding area : 00h00 to 16h00, 7 October 2012

Parking:
Registered runners are encouraged to park at Gautrain Station in Sandton, Sandton City, Nelson Mandela Square and Sandton Convention Center in the Sandton CBD and walk down West Street to enter the “race stacking area” at the corner of West Street and Rivonia Road.

Post-Race:
Runners can make use of the shuttle service from Innesfree Park to the Gautrain Station in Sandton post-race.  The shuttle fee is R10.00 per person.

Spectators:
Key points have been set up for spectators, for ease of access on foot.

Runners are encouraged to visit the official race page on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/NikeRunningZA) to check for regular updates on race pack collection, parking and general race logistics.

Right, I’m off to pick up my new Nike Shield running shoes this afternoon … and some other race and running “necessities”!

See you Sunday!