PETER GIDDY.: URBAN RUN PORT ELIZABETH SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2013

BERND AND PETER BEFORE THE START OF THE URBAN RUN. THIS WAS MY SECOND URBAN.

URBAN RUN PORT ELIZABETH SUNDAY 15 SEPTEMBER 2013
BERND AND CATHERINE
CATHY AND LISA
SIAN AND SHEENA
ANDREW AND FAMILY

I had, by chance, been the first person to enter this year's run. I had been in the process of doing an entry for another event and found the Urban Run entry open so had done the entry immediately. As it turned out; the administrators had been busy testing the site and; I had just gone in on the site at that time.

Saturday afternoon I went to the Donkin area and registered. This event carries a compulsory R100 minimum charity donation. There were a number of events for children as well that took place this afternoon. I had done my early morning Saturday run. Then organised the Parkrun. And then done the administration for the parkrun which means loading times and results and uploading them to the net so that everyone who takes place will receive a result.

Sunday morning I got myself ready with my Urban Run Shirt and number. I had a green wrist band which indicates that I have donated the minimum of just R100. If you have raised more than this then you have a different colour wrist band and leave earlier.

GINO FABRI IS THE FUNNY MAN AND ENTERTAINER THIS MORNING

GINO SINGS AND JOKES AND KEEPS US ALL LAUGHING AND CLAPPING IN TUNE

BERN AND CATHERINE AT THE START OF URBAN RUN AT THE DONKIN RESERVE

Gino Fabbri was on the stage singing and telling jokes. Personally I find his humour and singing to be quite entertaining and I could have gone on listening to him for the rest of the morning. I met up with a number of fellow PE runners but then found that Bernd would be doing this for the first time and he did not have a running partner so I was more than happy to have someone to share the experience with.

There are probably around 1500 runners. All kinds of costumes and outfits. I am not sure how they survived as it was a really warm morning. We waited in line for our chance to go. I had a bottle of water so was okay when we finally set off, probably about 30min after the first group had left at 9am. The route takes you immediately up the steep Donkin Hill; Left turn past what used to be the YMCA and then right again down towards town on Municipality st. At the bottom of this road we turn right and have to climb up and over a concrete pipe and then crawl through a pipe on the other side.
Down towards town on the steps; right into Govan Mbeki ave; over some road barriers and then right again up Donkin St. Here is the first real line where we run up and then down just below the Donkin Reserve there is a huge pyramid tressel to climb over. Catherine is waiting for us on the other side taking pics. She has recently found out that she is pregnant with their first baby.

BERND AND PETER BEFORE THE START OF THE URBAN RUN. THIS WAS MY SECOND URBAN.

CATHY PEARSE (NEL) AND SISTER LISA ARE AT THE URBAN RUN

After the tressel we run down an escalator, back into town and down towards the train station; up and over the foot bridge and then through the train; exit into the station and out at the Campenile. From here we run around the old post office and out into the main City Square at City Hall. And then a really tough climb past the Feather market hall and up to the Fort Frederick. We are pretty Exhausted by the time we reach the Fort where we have to climb up some cargo nets over the wall of the Fort. My legs are a bit shakey but we seem to manage okay. There are willing hands to assist you over the top.

APPROACHING THE WALL OF FORT FREDRICK AFTER A LONG CLIMB UP FROM THE STATION

SIAN AND SHEENA OKEEFE HAVING FUN ON THE RUN

BERND AND I ARE IN LINE TO CROSS THE BAAKENS RIVER ON THE SCOUTS BRIDGE

From here we carry on upwards and through the Central area of Bird St; into the PE club; around the park; through what was supposed to be live wires and skipping over tyres. Then through some of the old historic alleyways and buildings until we came out near to the St Georges park. Here there was a scaffolding and some bars to climb across. I skipped this obstacle. Bernd managed well. Luvuyo who we met on the run, took a fall into the muddy area below the bars.

Then it is through the Cricket stadium, not up into the Duckpond Pavillion like last year. Then it is onto the field and under the cargo net where you will be sprayed with water from a garden hose. From there we run through the park to Settlers Park. Through the parking lot and down the stairs to the crossing of the stream. The scouts have built a bridge of planks floating on plastic bottles. We cross this. Bernd falls in the water. Deliberately?

BERND FALLS OFF THE BRIDGE

BACK ON THE BRIDGE AND READY TO CONTINUE THE RUN

Then through a muddy section and out at Bridge St Brewery where we have a slippery Slide. Across the stream again and then along the Baakens River to the old Newspaper house. Through the last bit of the city and then up past the Statue of Queen Mary and back up to the Donkin.

Bernd and I have had a great little outing. We have enjoyed every step of the run. For Bernd there are many places that he visited for the first time. We have a cold drink and then head off home for a shower and rest. A great Sunday morning adventure.