Entries Close: 13 September 2006
Online entries: www.enteronline.co.za
The popular Cape Town event that sees runners and walkers attempt to beat the firing of the cannon has secured a new sponsor, OUTsurance, who has committed to sponsor the event for the next three years.

According to marketing manager for OUTsurance, Anne Grobler, “We are thrilled to be associated with this great event and plan to make it bigger and better than ever before. We have plans in place to provide runners with a ‘wow’ experience, one they will not forget and that will ensure they support this event in the years to come. She added that the short term insurance company had been looking for a key event in the Western Cape that involved the community and supported a local charity. When the Gun Run became available, it made sense to back it.

The OUTsurance Gun Run takes place on Sunday 24 September and is one of the largest and most scenic road running events in the Western Cape. It celebrates its fourteenth anniversary this year and runners taking part in their tenth half marathon will receive their permanent numbers.

Over the years, the half marathon has attracted a large number of novices and unlicensed runners who see it as a great race to do for their first 21 km because it is a flat and relatively easy route. The event takes runners through the V&A Waterfront, with the half marathon taking them through the city centre, Government Avenue, the Atlantic Seaboard along Somerset Road and the Sea Point Promenade.

The half marathon route has changed slightly as runners will now run back along Somerset Road past Kfm’s offices, where the radio station’s staff will be hosting a refreshment station and provide water, energy drinks and entertainment to help the runners on their way. This route offers runners a more pleasant and safer option, where traditionally they ran along the freeway back to Sea Point.

Both the half marathon and the 10 km start and finish at Green Point Stadium where the Cape Field Artillery will fire the cannon at the start and again inside the stadium to mark the cut-off. The event has new start times – the half marathon starts at 07h00 and the 10 km starts at 07h30, which gives runners a longer time to finish as the cut-off is at 10h00. Runners now have three hours to complete the 21 km and two and a half hours to run or walk the 10 km.

OUTsurance has also introduced a novel offer for participants. The new sponsor has offered to pay their entry fee if they contact the insurance company for an obligation-free quote. Participants need to sms “quote” to 31712 and an advisor will contact them to provide them with a quote and reference number, which they must use to enter online.

Participants can enter online at www.enteronline.co.za or pick up an entry form from Sportsman Warehouses in Rondebosch, Tokai, Tygervalley and Somerset West. For further information contact Top Events on 021-511 7130 or email them on admin@topevents.co.za. Participants have until Wednesday 13 September to enter.



The event’s official charity will once again be the Red Cross Children’s Hospital. Funds raised by the Outsurance Gun Run will be used to upgrade the operating theatre complex at the hospital.

Chris Readman, chairman of Atlantic Athletic Club, said they are thrilled with the new sponsorship and the commitment OUTsurance has made to this popular Cape Town event. “Their enthusiasm and promotional initiatives for our event will attract more entries in both the half marathon and the 10 km and will take the race to a new level.”

OptiFit, in association with the Sports Science Institute, has put together a half marathon training programme, which provides information, motivation and training to prepare participants for the half marathon. Those interested in taking part should be able to complete 10 km in 70 minutes, be free from injury with no major health risks and aged between 16 and 65 years. Contact Kathy McQuaide on kmcquaide@ssisa.com for further information.