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Monash community fitness event a great success

29 July 2008

fitness event
Left: Patience Bazira and Grant Gilbert, students from Monash South Africa who participated in the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk
 
fitness event
From the left Monash South Africa Sports Officer Johann Smith with student Joshua Vishishima who walked 30 km and Pro Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius.

More than 300 TeamMONASH staff, students and alumni and their families formed the biggest team to take part in Johannesburg’s best loved walking event - the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk - on Saturday 27 July 2008.

The Discovery 702 Walk the Talk, now in its eighth year, was established in 2000 with 12 000 entries. This year a record 47 000 walkers took part in the four distances – 5km, 8km, 15km and 30 km.
Among those who took part were Deputy President Phumsile Mlambo-Ngcuka and Gauteng MEC for Sport, Recreation and Arts and Culture, Barbara Creecy.

At the hospitality village at Marks Park in Emmarentia where the walk started and finished, the on-stage entertainment was a big hit with the public.

Monash participants wore TeamMONASH T-shirts, received meal and drinks vouchers and were transported from the campus to the venue and back in three 65-seater busses.

A pre-event training programme included an option of walking around the soccer field or off-campus trail exercise. Monash South Africa Sports Officer, Johan Smith said: “The idea of the event is to enjoy the walk while interacting with colleagues. The objective of the pre-event training was to promote healthy living and to provide basic exercise techniques in preparation for the walk.”

Monash South Africa Pro Vice-Chancellor Professor Tyrone Pretorius said: "We are delighted at the excellent response we have had from Monash South Africa staff, students and alumni to take part in Walk the Talk."

"While supporting a good cause, these events promote participation in healthy fun activities leading to fitness, and create a sense of unity and community spirit among staff and students on campus."

A percentage of the entry fees for the Walk the Talk are donated to the Laureuns Sport for Good Foundation.