Pirates Road Running finds its booty at treasure hunt

GREENSIDE – Local running club scours neighbouring suburbs for clues to treasure.

July 7, 2020

Nicholas Zaal 1 minute read

Recreating a marionette scene from Ye Rokkes in Westcliff for some extra points are Pam-Cleeve Edwards, Sherri Harvey and Lee Harvey. Photo: Supplied

Pirates Road Running members had a blast following clues and discovering the rich history of Johannesburg through a two-day treasure hunt.

Club captain, Gerry Greyling said the event was held to encourage social distancing as well as maintain Pirates Sports Club’s status as the most social club around. Teams of four could choose their own starting time and set off to follow a series of clues through sections of the city rich in history, such as Westcliff, Forest Town and Greenside, where the club is based. As Johannesburg’s oldest sports club, Pirates lent itself to its fair share of questions and 25 teams started the hunt with exotic names such as Foxyspider brings Benoni to the North, Rovers of the Lost Treasure and Greenside Gangplankers.

Anthony Allen from team Blair Rats places a stencil over Duntreath Plaque in Westcliff to reveal a hidden clue. Photo: Supplied

With only 13 teams to officially finish the challenge, it was certainly not easy and while the average finishing time for 12km was between three and six hours, some teams finished it over two days. While the treasure hunt is not new for Pirates, this is the first year that they went completely digital and QR (quick response) codes and clues were to be found along the way and scanned to members’ mobile phones. “For the record, there are 118 Westcliff steps up and one down between Wexford and Pallinghurst,” Greyling said.

Team Thorn Amongst the Roses went off course and have the selfie to prove it. In front is Jenny Hibbert, Maria Coelho is behind her, with Kerry Wood at the back and Clint Holing on the right. Photo: Supplied

He said there were also a few cryptic clues, shortcuts and speed bumps along the way, with a refreshment station if teams could decipher the help-yourself location. “It’s a great way to encourage people to still feel part of the club and get some camaraderie going while still being safe and not participating in big group events,” Greyling added. “We have to get creative in these times. We’ve had fantastic feedback where people were excited to get to know their own suburbs better and we’ll definitely do it again next year, perhaps with a shorter option.”