Weather puts dampener on SAPS fun run

Close to local 30 runners including police officers braved the cold and rainy weather last Wednesday as they participated in the Grahamstown SAPS Fun Run. The Fun Run was divided into two routes, 8km for adults and 5kms for kids starting from the Albany Sports field around the CBD and back.

Others who were supposed to participate could not stand the piercing cold wind instead they went back to their vehicless and left. One of the Fun Run's organisers Constable Rudi Groats said, "Only 28 runners participated in the Fun run, we did not reach our target because on 28 March the previous Fun Run we had more than 100 runners who participated. So I think because of the weather people couldn't make it."

Groats said the Fun Run is a fundraising effort for the Blow-a-Whistle campaign which isa crime fighting technique being to be introduced by the SAPS to the community. Groats said Blow-a-whistle will be a form of communication understood by everyone in the community. When one is being attacked or mugged they can blow a whistle to attack the community.

"We as the Grahamstown SAPS are planning to visit disadvantaged schools and teach them how and when to blow the whistles which we are going to buy for them," said Groats. He added that the aim of the Fun Run was to promote positive relations and co-operation between the police and the community.

Local runner Simphiwe Tana was first over the finish line in the 8km race. He said: "If this Fun Run could get more sponsors, more people would be motivated to come and participate." Vuyani Kolisi, the chairman of the CPF and also a co-organiser of the Fun Run, said "We had little time to plan this Fun Run, next time we are going to involve the Grahamstown East community to participate. Our slogan is A HEALTHY BODY IN A HEALTHY MIND."