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27 for Freedom Race

27 for Freedom Race

Come walk / run in the footsteps of Madiba
11 February is a date that strikes a chord in the heart of proud South Africans as well as people around the world. It is a date that is remembered as a date that changed the course of a nation. At 16:15 on the 11 February 1990 Nelson Mandela was released from Victor Verster Prison (now the Drakenstein Correctional Facility) after 27 years of incarceration. It was the moment that South Africa knew the old era of the Apartheid Regime was over and the new rainbow nation would be built.

In order to mark the anniversary of Nelson Mandelas historic release and the walk to Freedom, the Drakenstein Correctional Services and the Cape Winelands District Municipality host the annual 27 for Freedom Race day at the Drakenstein Correctional Facility, just outside Paarl on the R301. The day is organised in such a way as to cater for the whole family, right from the toddlers to the serious runners. It is a family fun day of entertainment, history and sport, including the scenic 27 kilometre run or for fun the 10 kilometre walk / run or the Freedom Route. The routes include a walk / run along the same route that was taken by Madiba as he left prison, from the Madiba House, along the Long Walk to Freedom, to the Madiba Statue at the entrance of the Correctional facility.

The races are broken down into 6 separate events, namely;
The main event, which is the 27 kilometre race, symbolic of Mr. Mandelas 27 years in prison.
The 10 kilometre walk / run for all levels of fitness.
The 10 kilometre Corporate event for teams of 10 people.
The 5 kilometre wheelchair friendly event.
The Freedom Route fun walk / runs for young and old.
And the 50 metre Toddlers dash.
All the events start in front of the statue of Nelson Mandela at the beginning of his walk to freedom on 11nFebruary 1990 and progress through a scenic route that passes the Madiba House, the prison. The 27 km route continues through the adjacent wine farms to finish on the sports arena near the entrance.

More than just a sporting event organisers ensure that visitors and participants will enjoy jailhouse rock from the local in-mates band, listen to local poets, the Drakenstein Correctional Services choir and be entertained by local and national entertainers covering a range of musical genres while the children are engaged in kidz corner supervised by volunteers from the University of Stellenboschs Operation Hope programme.

Although the winners of the main race receive a coveted medal, the reward for many is tracing the steps on Madiba and our nations walk to freedom. This is a walk or run every South African should strive to do. For others is the opportunity to build new friendships, social cohesion and a being part of a nation rooted in wellness of body, heart and mind, contributing to a positive lifestyle, health and building of national unity.
This is an experience that everyone should participate in at least once in their life time. It is a historic, yet fun-filled, family day of reflection, celebration and nation building for the tens of thousands that will participate from across the sports, social, business and political landscape.
SO Come walk / run in the footsteps of Madiba

For more information and future dates please contact:
Tel: +27-21-8729799
Fax: +27-21-8725292
Or email: info@nm27forfreedomrace.co.za

Postal Address:
Suite 216
Postnet
X3036
Paarl
7620

Directions
Travel along N1to Paarl/T/kloofTunnel
Take 3rd Paarl Exit 59
Keep right, under N1 on R301 to Wemmerhoek
Pass Boeschenmeerand pass Pearly Valley Golf Estates
As you pass Freedom Hills Wine Estate
Parking on the Left.
Follow traffic directions.

ALTERNATIVELY
From R45 to Franschhoek, take left onto R301 to Wellington.
Parking on the Right

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