Staff in the College of Agriculture, Engineering and Science (CAES) donned their running shoes and colourful costumes to take part in the annual CAES Fun Run which had as a theme: Easter with a Splash of Colour!

Lured by the many prizes on offer – including First Man Home, First Lady Home, Best Dressed Team, Best Team Representation, Best Team Spirit and Last Man or Lady Home – staff entered into the spirit and dressed to kill. Costumes ranged from fairies to Disney characters and goggle-eyed minions.

Arriving in their numbers, participants received a personal goodie bag before being welcomed by acting Deputy Vice-Chancellor Professor Fhatuwani Mudau, who wished everyone well on their 5km run/walk. ‘Events like these are so important as they build cohesiveness among colleagues, thus ensuring the College functions like a well-oiled machine,’ he said.

A cool and calm morning at the venue – the Ukulinga Research Farm just outside Pietermaritzburg -ensured high spirits and ideal running conditions. With the promise of a visit from the Easter Bunny along the trail, participants set off shortly after 10h00. Within 10m the first surprise of the day confronted them – they had to run the “colour gauntlet” with two representatives from each School, showering them with coloured powder.

First man home, Mr Brandon Willnecker and the first lady to finish, Ms Wendy Janssens, set a fast pace while the majority settled into a stroll through the research farm’s scenic countryside and into the adjoining Bisley Nature Reserve, where they had the chance to see the resident zebra and giraffe.

The tantalising aroma of brunch set up in the farm’s engineering hall ensured that even the slow-coaches made it home in good time.

CAES Public Relations Manager Dr Sally Frost, thanked everyone for their enthusiastic participation and handed out the prizes. The College Office won the trophy for being the best dressed, while the Team Spirit trophy went to the Engineers, and the Best Team Representation award was won by Life Sciences.

Words: Cindy Chamane

Photograph: Supplied