At exactly eight o’clock this morning, the Sport Heroes, and a whole crowd of supporters, started walking the 2009 Sport Heroes walk Against HIV/AIDS from the Diepkloof Mall outside Johannesburg. Their ultimately goal – the town of Thohoyandou in Vendaland.

The ‘workhorses’ of the Walk – the strongest runners of the Sport Heroes – shot ahead quite quickly. Boston Marathon winner Willie Mtolo and Kilimanjaro climber Evelina Tshabalala both vowed to complete 25km on the day, which means that 50km of the route will be behind the Sport Heroes team. (The Heroes walk and run in relay, each taking over from another, depending on their ability).

The rest of the Heroes as well as their supporters, led by Johannesburg Metro Police vehicles, tackled a 15km distance, from where the team would carry on alone.

Among the supporters were a large team from Nike, who is a major sponsor of the event.

Some members from Mamelodi Sundowns also joined in. ‘I’m definitely joining in next year,’ said one of them, looking decidedly disappointed that he couldn’t join the Heroes to do the full Walk.

The Heroes’ second activity stop is a school in Winterveld, and tomorrow the proceed to the first stop in Limpopo province – Bela-Bela.

At exactly eight o’clock this morning, the Sport Heroes, and a whole crowd of supporters,

started walking the 2009 Sport Heroes walk Against HIV/AIDS from the Diepkloof Mall outside

Johannesburg. Their ultimately goal – the town of Thohoyandou in Vendaland.

The ‘workhorses’ of the Walk – the strongest runners of the Sport Heroes – shot ahead quite

quickly. Boston Marathon winner Willie Mtolo and Kilimanjaro climber Evelina Tshabalala both

vowed to complete 25km on the day, which means that 50km of the route will be behind the

Sport Heroes team. (The Heroes walk and run in relay, each taking over from another,

depending on their ability).

The rest of the Heroes as well as their supporters, led by Johannesburg Metro Police

vehicles, tackled a 15km distance, from where the team would carry on alone.

Among the supporters were a large team from Nike, who is a major sponsor of the event.

Some members from Mamelodi Sundowns also joined in. ‘I’m definitely joining in next year,’

said one of them, looking decidedly disappointed that he couldn’t join the Heroes to do the

full Walk.

The Heroes’ second activity stop is a school in Winterveld, and tomorrow the proceed to the

first stop in Limpopo province – Bela-Bela.