The Long Run 2002
Cape Town to Johannesburg
Kilometers covered: 1200km Corporate Relay
Kilometers covered: 1609km Professional Relay
Number of runners: 650
Number of companies: 58
In the first year, Kader Asmal, former Minister of Education, set the runners off at the Royal Cape Yacht Club. The run covered 1200 km from Cape Town through Kimberley to Johannesburg. A baton of commitment was passed from company to company as the relay progressed and handed to Valli Moosa, former Minister of Environmental Affairs and Tourism, demonstrating the value of the corporate contribution to the Business Trust and the significance of the partnership between government and business to the future of South Africa.
A team of ten top South African professional runners also achieved a Guinness World Record. Under the expert guidance of Nick Bester, high achievers such as Willie Mtolo, Daniel Radebe, John Tjale and Graham Meyer ran 1000 miles (1609,3 km) in 99 hours, 3 minutes and 27 seconds, climbing 1700m altitude in extreme weather conditions. This world-class performance was endorsed by the former Minister of Sport, Ngconde Balfour.
"A wonderful way to marry symbols with reality: truly inspirational for everyone involved and great fun! We South Africans can do anything, and enjoy it together" - Rick Menell, African Rainbow Minerals
Comments from participants: "Well done on a job exceptionally well done. Down to the last detail - nothing left to chance, nothing forgotten and every eventuality taken care of. I have been involved in events over the last 15 years and was blown away at the organization, the timing, the phenomenal people, the smiles and the attention to detail. We will be back!" - Judith Penny Rennies Travel
"Participating in the Business Trust's Long Run is hard work. It takes a real commitment and requires that participants work together and support each other to achieve the goal. In this way, the Long Run symbolises everything that the Business Trust stands for. We hope to see it continuing for years to come" - Tim Anderson, Programme Director - TEP
Click here to view photos of the Long Run 2002.