Discovery 702 Walk the Talk turns ten

Africa’s biggest mass-participation event, the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk turns ten on 25th July.
Appropriately, the event marked a decade of existence by winning Best Radio Station Promotion or Event in the inaugural MTN Radio Awards.

The event started in 2000 when it attracted 12 000 walkers and has grown to attract 50 000 walkers each year, who take to the streets in celebration of the city we live in. This year there is much to celebrate as the 2010 FIFA World Cup has thrown a spotlight on Johannesburg and Walk the Talk will be the ideal opportunity to appreciate all the hard work that has been done to get the city ready for the event.

A bright new idea that walkers can look forward to this year is the introduction of different coloured T-shirts for each distance. Every participant who enters the 2010 Discovery 702 Walk the Talk will receive a T-shirt with their entry, to wear on the day.

Those walking the 5km will receive a white T-shirt, 8km walkers will be wearing blue, 15km participants get a red T-shirt and those undertaking the 30km will be walking in a black T-shirt. With up to 20 000 walkers in these events the visual effect is going to be spectacular.

“Watching the start of the Walk the Talk has become a highlight of the year,” said 702 station manager, Pheladi Gwangwa. “Seeing all the wonderful, diverse people of Gauteng streaming past together, in high spirits is a pleasure to watch and I look forward to the powerful impact that the bold blocks of colour are going to make.”

“The Discovery 702 Walk the Talk aligns perfectly to our philosophy of being active and promoting healthy living,” said Hylton Kallner, Chief Marketing Officer, Discovery. “We’re proud to be associated with Joburg’s premier family event for the fifth year and we look forward to joining families, friends and colleagues on what will surely be a remarkable day” he added.

In addition to feeling good about coming together, walkers can feel proud in two other key ways as they will be making a difference for charity and to their physical wellbeing.

R10 from each entry into the 5km and 8km events goes to the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation which uses sport as a driver of change. Laureus ambassadors – all sports men and women who are, or were, at the top of the fields – join in the action on the day and accept a sizable donation at the end of the event. Last year, R400 000 was donated to the foundation.

Discovery Vitality members who finish the 15km or 30km will get 5 000 Vitality points and those who complete the 5km and 8km will get 3 000 points.

As always, prams, strollers, and of course, dogs on leashes are welcome and Royal Canin will ensure canine participants as well as their human counterparts are looked after along the route.

Entries to the 2010 Discovery 702 Walk the Talk will be capped at 50 000 and entries need to be submitted by 7 June 2010 so get to www.702.co.za or www.discovery.co.za to enter online, now. Entry forms are also available from Virgin Active and Planet Fitness Gyms and Run/Walk for Life clubs.