Every year come December, the Mother City centre becomes a hub of excitement, which funnily enough isn’t due to Christmas being around the corner. Instead, what causes enthusiastic Capetonian’s to take to the streets in droves is a race that receives over 20 000 entrants who arrive dressed in costumes. This year, 2013, marks the 31st birthday of the Twilight Team Run, and its continuation of good works.
What it is
The Twilight Team Run has nothing to do with sparkly vampires or werewolves (unless you choose to dress up as one, that is). It is a fun run that is unusual in the sense that no winners are declared, no timekeepers keep score, and there are no medals or certificates awarded to those who complete it. Instead, the focus of the run is placed squarely on the fantastical costumes donned by the fun run entrants, and the money that it is raised by the event for charities.
Costumes
To give you an idea of how incredible this actually is, costumes seen in the past have ranged from Cleopatra to Cosplayers, Steampunks to Superheroes, and hundreds of other genres and time periods, including aliens and more than a few Scream masks, all walking and jogging together.
Provided your naughty bits are covered, you aren’t carrying a potentially hazardous weapon, and the costume you’ve chosen would be one you’d happily visit your granny or 5 year old niece in, then what you choose to wear is limited only by your imagination!
For those eager to enter the costume contest, arrive before 5pm, as the best dressed prizes are awarded before the race actually starts. Remember, if you decide to participate, not only will you look amazing as you run, but you should also feel amazing as you do it, knowing that your entry fee is going to make a very big difference in someone’s life!
Organisers and Fundraising
It would be remiss not to mention the wonderful organiser of the Twilight Team Run, which just happens to be the well-known Community Chest. They were founded in 1928 and are the oldest charity in the Cape, with currently over 520 communities and organisations that they support, through empowerment, donations, and creating sustainable community developments.
Where it’s happening
The Twilight Team Run is set to take place on the 3rd of December and it will start and end at the Grand Parade. It should take roughly 1 ½ hours to complete, and it never fails to have an energizing and infectiously high-spirited atmosphere.
Companies looking for a place to have their year-end function are invited to rent a hospitality space at the Grand Parade, where their employees can get to enjoy the massive jol that’s set to take place after the race ends.
When: Tuesday 3 December.
Time: It starts at 7pm, but arrive by at least 5pm for the costume competition.
Where: Grand Parade, Adderley Street near Green market Square.
Enter: You can enter online at www.twilightrun.co.za or visit the main Community Chest office located at 82 Bree Street Cape Town.
Cost: R200 for a team of 4 – 6 members, R50 for an individual ticket, and R2000 to hire a corporate hospitality site of 6m x 3m.
If you’re planning on going to the Twilight Team Run, who or what will you dressed as?
Main image credited to Community Chest.
