Nelson Mandela University To Host Africa’s First Colour Run

Colour Run Race

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University on Sunday will also have the opportunity of viewing first-hand the many developments underway at the city’s university.

Runners participating in the world’s happiest race, the Colour Run, will gathered at the University premises for the run preparation.

The entire 5km race will take place across the university’s North and South campuses, both of which are situated in a 720-hectare private nature reserve.

NMMU is the only university in South Africa to share its premises with zebra, springbok, monkeys and various other animals.

The university’s own Vice-Chancellor Prof Derrick Swartz, and dozens of NMMU staff members will also be joining the fun to raise funds for United Through Sport in Sunday’s event.

The September 1 route starts in University Way which is presently partially closed to accommodate road works underway at the Gomery Road traffic circle. This means all traffic will be directed to parking on North Campus. Apart from the first open parking lot, parking is also being made available on the sports fields opposite the student residences on North Campus.

The starting point, in University Road, is a short walk from both parking areas.

En route participants will see:

    A soon-to-be completed 278-bed student residence close to the start of the run.
    The High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HRTEM) Centre – the only place in Africa where scientists can view atoms. (It’s the building with lightning conductors on the first sector of the run, to be viewed shortly before the drummers).
    The newly expanded Fitness and Aquatic Centre, adjacent to the university’s Indoor Sports Centre.
    The new R34m, Human Movement Centre with its 100m research sprint track which has almost been completed and
    The new iconic Engineering block close to the finish of the race.