On Saturday, 27 of April 2024 thousands of people from across the Western Cape and beyond will make their way to the Langa Sports Stadium to participate in the TymeBank Langa Run for Freedom. It’s in celebration of South Africa’s 30th year of democracy.
For those entrants who miss registration online at topevents.co.za, enter at the venue on race day from 5am to 7am. Entry fees range from R60 – R150 for the 10-kilometre run and from R30 – R60 for the 6-kilometre run.
This year will be the third repeat of this popular Langa Freedom Day Run, the first of its kind for the area, which is fast becoming a landmark on the sporting events calendar. Known for the special experience it provides for runners and supporters, who come together on this national holiday in the spirit of peace and unity, it is also a highlight for residents, who line the streets to cheer runners on. day.
Organisers of the event and the Langa community will pull out all the stops to welcome visitors to this friendly township. There’ll be live performances by traditional marimba bands, who will create a street festival vibe as runners wind their way to the finish line.
Langa Run start
The race will kick off at the Langa Sports Stadium in Bitterhout Avenue at 7.15am on Saturday, 27 April, taking runners down Washington street – the oldest in the township – and through the streets of this vibrant township, to the finish line. En-route, participants – some from as far afield as Paternoster and Hermanus, will offer visitors a glimpse of the rich history of Langa as they pass by many of the township’s well-known landmarks.
Who can take part?
The race is accessible to runners of all fitness levels and includes a 10-kilometre run for participating clubs and professional athletes, and a 6-kilometre option for non-professional runners who want to test their fitness or simply soak up the authentic township experience.
For Chairman of the Langa Running Club, Aubrey Issacs, the Freedom Day Run is the realisation of a dream, and his ultimate goal is to establish it as Langa’s flagship sports event. “The turnout for the event in 2023 was beyond expectations,” he says. “We were expecting in the region of 1000 runners to turn up, and we had close to 1500 runners finishing the 10-kilometre run, with many hundreds more participating in the 6-kilometre run.”
Issacs anticipates that runners will turn out in their thousands this year, along with supporters, to run, celebrate and soak up the great community vibe.
“For race day we are working closely with the Traffic Department and have roped in our local community policing forum to safeguard the route. I hope the safe and friendly township reception people experienced in 2023 will bring them back again this year,” says Issacs.
“TymeBank is proud to be on board again this year as lead sponsor of this important initiative,” says Chief Executive of Business Banking for TymeBank, Karl Westvig – a keen runner himself. “As the fastest growing digital bank in the world, we value our role in empowering the Langa community, and in particular this running club that has enabled many talented club runners to reach their full potential within running circles,” he adds.
The Langa Running Club members are expected to show their mettle again this year, with elite members like local champion William Kaptein, who was first to cross the finish line at last year’s Freedom Day Run – and talented newcomer Edward Jack on the team.
The proceeds from the event will be invested directly back into the athletics club where specific programmes are developed to uplift the young people in the area.
Here’s the build up for last year’s Langa run.
What: Langa Run for Freedom
When: Saturday 27 April 2024
Where: Langa Sports Stadium Cape Town
WS
