MTN race is for the less fortunate

MTN’s annual 21km race is set to turn the streets of Jozi Y’ello for the less fortunate.
The race has become an integral part of MTN’s 21 Days of Y’ello Care – the company’s flagship staff volunteer project. 21 Days of Y’ello Care raises funds to support ICT in education across South Africa and will kick off the overall 2018 Y’ello Care campaign on Saturday, 02 June 2018.

Once again, participants can choose whether to take part in the 5km or 10km races, or for the more adventurous, the 21km that takes runners through scenic Johannesburg. Runners will start off at MTN’s Head Office in Fairlands, following three different routes through the neighbouring suburbs.

The proceeds raised through the MTN 21km race will be used to support identified ICT in education initiatives. The main focus this year is on establishing a multimedia centre at the Sizwile Special School for the Deaf, located in Dobsonvillle, as well as upgrading the Afrika Tikkun Youth Centre in Diepsloot, Johannesburg and the Africa Tikkun Centre Youth Centre at Orange Farm.

“The MTN 21km race has grown throughout the years to become one of the key events on the South African athletics calendar,” said Jacqui O’Sullivan, Executive for Corporate Affairs at MTN SA. “We have received great support since we began the race in 2014, with thousands of runners joining us each year for the cause.”
In 2017, proceeds raised from the race were used to fund a multimedia centre at the Ekurhuleni School for the Deaf, located in Katlehong, Johannesburg, and the Thusong Youth Centre in Alexandra, north of Johannesburg. The previous year, the proceeds funded the multimedia centre which was handed over to the Department of Education in Sedibeng West.

The MTN SA Foundation has partnered with many other South African corporates for the 2018 race, namely, Huawei, Central Gauteng Athletics, CAMAF, the Department of Social Development, the Gauteng Department of Education, Central Gauteng Athletics, the Road Accident Fund, Kia, Clover, Ikhethelo and the Constantia Park branch of Checkers.

“We are excited about kicking off 21 Days of Y’ello Care this year, all with the aim of making a real difference and brightening lives. The MTN 21km race is a great start to our annual initiative that allows MTN to give back to our surrounding communities, donating time, money and skills to help those less fortunate,” concluded Jacqui.

More than 7 500 participants took part in 2017, and 8 500 are expected to participate in the 2018 run.

ts, as well as more information about race day logistics and surrounding area road closures can be found at www.entrytime.com. Entries are currently open and will be closing onThursday, 24 May 2018.