Continental Run2Stop Challenge0

A CLOSE CALL AT FINISH LINE OF CONTINENTAL RUN2STOP CHALLENGE

It has been a gruelling twelve days for both the running and driving teams competing in the Continental Run2Stop Challenge from Cape Town to Johannesburg. Despite a long and tyresome journey, it was the driving team who cruised the finish line first, with the exhausted runners hot on their exhaust pipe.

The runners looked incredibly relieved to have hit the final destination, having relay run a total of 1300km’s and received a warm welcome from the Continental staff at the Constantia Kloof Conti Store.

“It has been a pretty tough challenge. Not so much the distance but the intensity of it has been the difficult part to keep up with. Even though the legs are hurting I have enjoyed every minute of it as it is not often you get to run through some of the most desolate parts of our beautiful country” commented a breathless and relieved Brad Brown of 94.7 Highveld Stereo.

Understandably the drivers looked significantly less fatigued than their opponents,

“One of my highlights has been witnessing each individual and their competitive nature taking over in the quest of winning this event. It definitely wasn’t plain sailing. From what started out as a ”walk in the park” on day one, became harder and harder as we went on. Besides the distance, our main rival was the clock. We always seemed to be playing catch up as if there weren’t enough hours in the day set aside for our driving team” informed former Bafana Bafana captain Bradley Carnell.

However just when both teams thought that the challenge had ended, there was one last task ahead : The Conti-Castle competition. This involved the two teams each having to create a tricky ballancing act of a tower of tyre’s with Adistar shoe’s, all in the name of raising money for the Sports Trust.

Speed machine and current world record holder over 50 miles, Bruce Fordyce and his team of Andre Arendse, Lindsey Parry and Gavin Hunt managed to keep their Conti-Castle in tact, winning R10 000 for the Sports Trust.

“Although we’ve only done a fraction of what these athletes have covered over the last twelve days, it has been a great experience coming down here today to be a part of the spirit, festivities and most importantly to raise money for such a deserving charity” commented Fordyce.

The second celebrity team of Helman Mkhelele, Bradley Carnell, Rowen Fernandez and Brad Brown looked on in disappointment, as their Conti-Castle never quite got off the ground.

Continental Tyre SA Marketing Manager, Russel Stewart recaps on the event;

“The event was all in the name of fun as we pit man against machine, across tricky terrain, on Continental’s latest rubber compound. The campaign proved a massive success as we were well received in every town that we visited, the laughter was plentyful and our product stood firm against the rain, freezing temperatures, heat and wind. Well done to all those who made this possible!”

— Press release ends —-

Written for and on behalf of Continental SA by Caroline Malan. caroline@mscsports.co.za

Race Details:

Start: 23 July, 12:00am, Goodwood, Cape Town (The Tyre Guys N1 City).

Finish: 3 August, 15:30pm, Constantia Kloof, Gauteng (Jody’s Tyres).

Running team : Brad Brown, Helman Mkhelela, Lindsey Parry, Andre Kleynhans (Continental employee), Elias Mabane, Justanus Gantsi, Peter Ramathoka, Jacob Mazibuko, Jabulani Nkosi, Justin Sher (last 3 days)

Driving team : Bradley Carnell; Eugene van der Merwe (Continental), Lorri Falchi, David van der Merwe, Thando Sobandla, Monica Ramsunder and Russel Stewart (Continental employees taking part in the team on different legs), Irmi Reif (Audi Driving School)

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON CONTIENTAL

With sales of €26 billion in 2010, Continental is among the leading automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for powertrains and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, Continental contributes to enhanced driving safety and global climate protection. Continental is also an expert partner in networked automobile communication. Continental currently has approximately 155,000 employees in 45 countries.

BACKGROUND OF THE SPORTS TRUST

The Sports Trust is a public benefit organisation, established in 1995 and caters to the needs of providing sports equipment, kit & facilities to disadvantaged communities nationally. The Sports Trust remains committed to its founding vision of making sport more accessible to disadvantaged South African’s across all sporting codes, for both abled and disabled bodies. Its’ service includes assisting schools, clubs and community sports organisations with access to much needed funds in order to obtain their sporting requirements. The Sports Trust is able to assist companies with their alignment to broad-based Black Economic Empowerment requirements and with its PBO status, The Sports Trust can issue Section 18A Tax Certificates to donors. We are committed to building active communities through sport and recreation, helping tomorrow’s heroes today. For more information please visit our website www.thesportstrust.co.za.