On 5 June 1903, the Spartan Harriers committee decided to organize a long distance walk (Big Walk) in the United Kingdom and it became very popular. Spartan Harriers desired to be the pioneers of such a race in the South Peninsula and intended for the way to start from Montagu Bridge to Somerset West and back. However, the route was changed and a grand total of 61 competitors set off from Greenmarket Square in Cape Town on a very rainy 13 August 1903 and became part of South African history. In the Discovery Cape Times Big Walk, Spartans have been involved For a century now. However, it was not an overly fortunate begin for the club lost money organizing the event. and so until 1923, it was not but the event was staged again. Spartan Harriers reintroduced the 50-mile challenge and this time firmly cemented it as a Cape Town event by inspiring from London to Brighton walking race. The Discovery Cape Times Big Walk is not just a day of fun and camaraderie but also a chance to give to those who are needy. Every year, this charity driven event gives back to the community by donating proceeds to selected charity. The Steenberg Foundation and the Breast Cancer Fundraisers will be the main benefactors this year.

Screenshot of www.bigwalk.co.za:

Course Description:

The 5km:

The walk starts in Newlands at 10:30 a.m., from Boundary Road, Newlands and creates its way down the Main Road to the Finish carnival area of St. Georges Grammar School. Cut-Off Time is 12h30 @ Finish line St George's Grammar School.

The 10Km:

The walk starts at 08:00am from Darling Street, Cape Town City, and makes its way through the Cape Town City and the Company Gardens. Cape Town has to offer a scenic walk of attractions that can be enjoyed by walkers. The route passes Parliament into Roeland, towards Keizergracht into the Main rd and to the finish. Cut-Off Time is 12h00 @ St George's Grammar School.

The 13Km:

The walk starts at 08:00am from Cnr Main Rd and Ladies Mile, Retreat and its way north up the Main Road towards Mowbray, then takes a right turn and makes its way onto the N2 before turning left onto Liesbeek Parkway and to the finish area. Cut-off time is 12h30 @ St George's Grammar School.

The 15km:

The walk starts at 07h45 from NY144 Road, Bonga Primary School and makes its way into Ny1 Road takes a left into Klipfontein Road. The route continues straight down Klipfontein Road into the finish area. Cut-Off Time is 16h30 @ St George's Grammar School

The 20km:

The walk starts at 08:00am from cnr Spaanschemat Road and Firgrove Way, Contantia and makes a right into Ladies Mile Road then left into Main Road and goes North towards Mowbray , then takes a right turn and makes its way onto the N2 before turning left onto Liesbeek Parkway and to the finish area. Cut-Off Time is 16h30 @ St George's Grammar School.

The 25km:

The walk starts at 08:30 from Fish Hoek Beach and follows a picturesque seafront trail to Rhodes High School via Main Road, Lower Main and Station Road. The 25km distance also forms part of the timed routes, so you can pace yourself or test your skills against friends. Other timed routes include the 30km, 50km and 80km. Cut-Off Time is 13h00 @ Muizenberg, 16h00 @ 16h30 @ St George's Grammar School.

The 30km:

The walk starts at 9:00am from Long beach, Simon’s Town. The course moves through Glencairn, Fish Hoek, Kalk Bay, Muisenberg and Kirstenhof, meeting up with the 15km route along Main Road to also finish at Rhodes High School. Cut-Off Time is 13h00 @ Muizenberg, 16h30 @ St George's Grammar School.

The 50km:

The walk starts at 6:15am from Fish Hoek Beach opposite the resturant, along the Main Road past Glencairn Heights down the Peninsula through Simon’s Town where it turns around on Main Road near to Millers Point, to back track all the way to the finish at Rhodes High School again on the Main Road. This route is for serious walkers only. Cut-Off Time is 13h00 @ Muizenberg, 16h30 @ St George's Grammar School.

The 80km:

The walk starts at 3:45am from Rhodes High School, Mowbray. This grueling route winds its way down the Peninsula past Simon’s Town to a turnaround point near Millers Point, then makes its way back to the Rhodes High School for a much-deserved finish. The 80km is recommended for dedicated and trained walkers only and sets off with the sparrows. Cut-Off Time is 13h00 @ Muizenberg, 16h30 @ St George's Grammar School.

All the routes have regular refreshment stations offering ice-cold Coca Cola, Powerade and water to help keep your stamina up. Medi-Clinic will provide First Aid along the route.

Public entry point:

Event Date: Sunday, 14 November 2010
Entries Open: Friday, 1 October 2010
Early Entry Cut-Off: 18 October
Entries Close: Sunday, 31 October 2010

Team rules:

• You may not be a member of more than one team.
• All teams must comprise a minimum of 4 and a maximum of 6 members with the exception of the 80 & 50km distance where a team should consist of a minimum of 3 and maximum of 4 members.
• The combined times of the first 4 finishers will count (3 for the 80 & 50km events).
• At least 2 members of a mixed team must be of the same gender.
• Corporate teams must comprise of bona fide members of the same company or subsidiary companies.

For entrance to the team:

When you collect your walk pack from The Good Hope Centre, team entry forms will be available. You may collect entry forms to enter teams for the following distances:

50km & 80km (Maximum 4 members, with 3 results to count)
Inter-Club-Club Challenge: Men, Ladies and mixed
Open: Men, Ladies and Mixed

30km (Maximum 6 members, with 4 results to count)
Inter-Club Club Challenge: Men, Ladies, Mixed
Open: Men, Ladies, Mixed, Boys, Girls, Boys/Girls mixed

Team entry forms are to be placed in the Team Entry boxes at the Start of the 80,50,30,25 and 20km events.

Entry Form:

You can download a entry form of Big Walk 2010 from http://www.bigwalk.co.za/pages/?path=enter-application

Maps:

Map of Big Walk 2010 is available at the official website of Big Walk. You can see the courses such as:

• The 5km: Boundary Road, Newlands
• The 10Km: Darling Street, Cape Town City
• The 13Km: Cnr Main Rd and Ladies Mile
• The 15km: NY144 Road, Bonga Primary School
• The 20km: cnr Spaanschemat Road & Firgrove way
• The 25km: Fish Hoek Beach
• The 30km: Long beach, Simon’s Town
• The 50km: Fish Hoek Beach
• The 80km: Rhodes High School, Mowbray

When you click on any course, you will see the runway of that course. For more information of maps visit http://www.bigwalk.co.za/map/index.php

Video of Big Walk 2010 from youtube:

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