Tuesday, 29 July, 2008

A record 50 000 walkers participated in the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk on Sunday, 27 July 2008, and in the process helped raise R375 000 for the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation.

People from all walks of life, including government officials, local celebrities, sporting and media personalities as well as people from across the age spectrum participated in the 2008 Discovery 702 Walk the Talk.

“We never dreamed eight years ago that the Walk the Talk event would become as popular as it is today,” said Pheladi Gwangwa, Talk Radio 702 station manager. “I think its success lies in the fact that it is a real family event: moms, dads, grannies, granddads, kiddies and even the family pets get to participate in this fun, community-oriented event. The Discovery 702 Walk the Talk is a definite highlight on the Joburg events calendar, and the increasing number of participants each year bears testimony to that.”

In fact, support of the event has grown so dramatically over the years that the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk is now bigger than the London, Boston and New York Marathons and is four times bigger than the Comrades Marathon.

“Discovery is proud to host Joburg’s best loved walking event with Talk Radio 702,” explained Hylton Kallner, Discovery chief marketing officer. “The event is a great opportunity to encourage healthy, active lifestyles. Walking is an affordable, accessible and enjoyable way to incorporate exercise into one’s lifestyle with the minimum effort and fuss. It’s a fun activity for the whole family, suitable for people of all ages and fitness levels,” he said.

Deputy President, Phumzile Mlambo-Ngcuka, who walked the 8km event, also stressed the health benefits of walking. “Government tries hard to encourage health and wellness, and I feel it’s important that I lead by example.”

Barbara Creecy, Gauteng MEC for sports, arts, culture and recreation, participated in the 5km event and was delighted at the turnout. “It’s so good to see so many people out and about together,” she said.

Discovery is the founding member of the South African arm of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation and this year brought international sporting stars, Hugo Porta and Frankie Fredericks, who are Laureus ambassadors, to South Africa specifically for the Discovery 702 walk the Talk.

This eighth successful Walk the Talk was hosted in conjunction with event partner, the City of Joburg, in an effort to strengthen its position as a world-class African City and showcase its ability to stage sporting events of this stature.

“This is proof that Joburg has the capacity to host 2010,” said Bongi Mokaba, director of events in the city.

“The City of Johannesburg is proud to be associated with an event such as the Discovery 702 Walk the Talk,” said City Manager, Mavela Dlamini. He thanked the public who came out in such numbers, for making the event such a great success.

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