C o l u m n
ASKING THE QUESTION
The Red Star event offers a ‘ family affair ’ of sporting and non-sporting activities , with something for everyone
Case Study : The Red Star Marathon
The new Minister of Sports , Art and Culture , Gayton McKenzie , has shown an affinity for both motorsport and exercise , through his ‘ Weigh-in Wednesdays .’ Well , the Red Star Raceway running project begun last year seems set to align perfectly with this combination of interests and activities . In 2023 , the relatively flat , meticulously smooth motor racing track in Delmas , Mpumalanga , hosted a marathon , half marathon , 10km and 4.2km event , presented by the Red Star Athletics Club , with runners completing between one lap for the Fun Run to just short of 11 laps for the marathon .
The raceway is around a 40-minute drive from Johannesburg , and the event attracted some 400 entries – a reasonably-sized field for that area – but the organisers were sure there was more potential to be had on these privately-owned grounds that offered 100 % traffic-free running and on-site facilities . Therefore , planning for the 2024 edition , taking place on the last weekend in September , introduced an expanded programme for the event that would not only attract runners , but other sports , and provide entertainment and fun opportunities to mix and match different communities .
Starting with the Bikes
Those attending registration and number collection from 11am on the Friday will see the morning motor racing session on the track , before SAHETI School takes over to offer a 50km cycle ( 13 laps of the track ) in memory of Stelio Efhtymiou , a SAHETI learner who lost his fight with cancer last year . This ride is being used to raise funds for the Childhood Cancer Foundation South Africa ( CHOC ), and forms part of the school ’ s 50th anniversary celebrations , hence the 50 / 50 event name . Commencing at 2pm , it will run until 5pm , giving all levels of riders the opportunity to complete the distance .
Then at 6pm , the Trap de Star 12-hour cycling event commences , and that rides through to 6am on the Saturday morning , with individual entries as well as teams of two or four , where riders will see how many laps they can cover in the allotted 12 hours . Again , the focus is on charity , with funds being raised for the Teddy Bear Foundation , an NGO that assists victims of child abuse . These cycling events are an amazing opportunity to ride on a totally traffic-free route , but for safety in the 12-hour event , riders must have a break of 15 minutes every three hours . Then again , this will allow them time to eat the burger and chips that is included with their entry , and a session in the Medi-Activ compression boots – also included in their entry fee .
The bar and restaurant will be open all weekend , with a mix of live and DJ music , and participants and their families can sign up for the Pasta Party on Friday night . As darkness falls , the entertainment will move outside , where movies will be projected onto the truly ‘ Big Screen ’ outside the Red Star Raceway offices ( weather permitting ). Meanwhile , there will be more than 30 stalls and displays to visit , including local farmers selling quality , healthy farm produce at incredible prices . Apart from the music , food and drink , there is overnight accommodation at the venue , ranging from cottages to camping sites – ideal for the runners ( and their families ), as their events commence at 7am on the Saturday morning .
Time for Some Running
With absolutely no traffic , and two refreshment points on each 3.8km lap , the Red Star road races provide an amazing opportunity for runners to test speed or endurance early in the spring season , with support , family and friends to encourage them on each lap , and music and entertainment for both runners and supporters .
The early morning start sees the 10km , 21km and marathon runners hit the track , with bib-chip timing by Peak Timing , and then , as the endurance guys round off their sixhour cut-off , the speedsters will take to the track for one of Mpumalanga ’ s first official 5km races . After that , it ’ s time for the milers , with an event for juniors and schools , just before an open event . All the races are accurately measured and certified , with the marathon an official qualifier for both the Comrades and Two Oceans ultra-marathons .
But That ’ s Not All …
As the runners finish their events , the race cars will be warming up their engines for two hours of ‘ Hot Laps ,’ where anyone can book a seat to be driven around the circuit for a few laps at breakneck speeds . The Red Star Raceway ’ s Skid Pad will also be operating throughout the weekend , with exhilarating skid and spin sessions open for bookings as well . And still there is more ...
As the sun starts to set , the fun-running continues with quarter-mile beer relays at 5pm , which are open to families , friends , corporates and ( non-alcoholic ) schools teams . There will also be a special PC Plod mile for various security and police organisations and stations around the area , to find the fittest and fastest quartet of peace officers .
So , as you can see , this is not simply a road running race or a cycling event , or motor racing , or a farm market , or a night out . It ’ s all of the above , packed into a fun festival for all . On their own , each of the activities on the programme is unlikely to draw a huge crowd , but this event combines them into a family affair … and it ’ s a concept that can bring much-needed economic sustainability to what was originally ‘ just ’ a road running event .
Images : Courtesy Red Star Raceway
36 ISSUE 172 | www . modernathlete . co . za