Bigger, upgraded Birchwood cross the line half marathon on the cards

It’s time to get your running shoes on, and to clear your diary, in preparation for the annual Birchwood Cross the Line Half Marathon which takes place in the City of Ekurhuleni on Sunday, 26 March 2017.

Now in its seventh year, the race which starts and ends on the 52 sprawling hectares of gardens of the Birchwood Hotel & OR Tambo Conference Centre in Boksburg, has grown to include a host of new sponsors, great deals on the day and even the chance to win driving a brand new car for an entire year!

Aimed at attracting both dedicated athletes, and promoting exercise, combined with fun, for a healthy lifestyle amongst Gauteng’s families, the race has grown year on year – and this year will accommodate 3 500 runners in the 21.1km and 10km races, and a further 500 runners/ walkers in the 5km race. In partnership with ChampionChip, Modern Athlete magazine, the City of Ekurhuleni, and Garbie, this year the finish of the race will be recorded using a chip secured to shoelaces; ensuring accurate results and digital monitoring. Look out for our awesome surprise goodie bags this year!

Adding further excitement to day, courtesy of No Finance Cars, all participants stand a chance to drive a brand new Kia Picanto for a year simply just by taking part! And for those tired bodies after a day of exercise, The Mangwanani Spa, situated on the grounds, will be offering half price on special packages and more to participants.

Another new feature to this year’s race is that simply by booking and staying at the hotel the night before the race, secures one free entry into the race the next day!

Since the Birchwood Cross the Line Half Marathon’s inception in 2011, thousands of runners and families have participated, with many making it an annual family tradition. Promising a fun day out, the race includes a children’s play area, food and refreshments, a dedicated secure tog-bag area, a post-race massage zone, clean toilets and live music on the manicured lawns of the hotel.

The first 1 500 early bird entrants to the race will receive a long sleeve moisture management t-shirt and medals will be awarded to all participants who successfully finish the race. Start times for the 21.1km and 10km is 6:30am and 7:30am for the 5km race.

Break our course record and we will double your prize money. We encourge all our top runners to break our record but if you are just looking for a PB this is the race for you. We have a fast and flat route. Pacing charts designed by Norrie Williamson will help you achieve your best time yet!

This year we are using our race for good! Among the many projects that the Birchwood Hotel does, one of the most successful is the building of 8 Crèches in the area. If you enter online you have the option to donate to the Ukhjede Foundation or alternatively you can help by bringing non-perishable food items to help these children or any other items that you feel will give back to the community. There will be a donation box on stage for you to donate.

Entries can be purchased online www.birchwoodhalfmarathon.co.za, at Birchwood Hotel reception or the Sweat Shops in Bedfordview and Dunkeld. Entries cost R120 for the 21.1km, R90 for the 10km and R50 for the 5km. Temporary licence fees apply to runners not affiliated to a club; R25 for the 21.1km, R20 for the 10km and no fee for the 5km race. Entries close on 27 February 2017, with no entries sold on the day.

For further information contact Kate Wood on 082 903 9722/ kate@multiplicitysa.co.za or Carol Wallace on 082 886 2898/ carol@multiplicitysa.co.za

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