​Last Saturday, 01st April 2023, about thirty-two members of the Gauteng Department of Social Development Athletics Club took to the streets and participated in the Irene Running Festival as part of a healthy lifestyle. 
The race was hosted at ARC Grounds, Nellmapius Road, and offered participants the serene beauty of Irene dairy farm and the sprawling city of Centurion. Participants competed in a 5km fun run, 21km, and an ultra 48 km which is dubbed the Comrades Marathon Qualifier. 

The race is part of the Gauteng Department of Social Development Employee Health and Wellness Program. Club Secretary Welile Sihewula said, ‘We are satisfied with the number of participants, but we hope to attract more staff members from the department to partake as the health of body and mind is co-dependent. 

Excited first partaker, Happiness Ndlovu from Walter Sisulu Child and Youth Care Centre said, “I’m delighted having finished the ten-kilometre race because I am frequent jogger and as a result, I did not experience any challenges or difficulties. I’m looking forward to the next race and hope to do better with additional kilometres. The next competition is Colgate Race on May 07 in Boksburg, Ekurhuleni Region.