Be a hero. Dress like one too.

?Are you up for a challenge? Entries are open for the JumpStart Challenge 2023!

Every step you take can help change tomorrow for unemployed youth.??

The virtual JumpStart Challenge is from 27 February to 5 March, and can be completed anywhere in the world. The physical JumpStart Challenge is at Holla Trails, in Ballito, from 4 to 5 March.

Entrants can choose to walk, jog, run or cycle a variety of distances.??It's open to all ages and abilities: from teams of colleagues, to families with prams and dogs, and professional athletes.

Every rand raised by this awesome annual fundraiser goes directly to Mr Price Foundation’s JumpStart skills development programme. JumpStart equips unemployed youth with in-demand retail skills, opening a world of opportunity to thousands of youth every year.??

The youth are the future – yet with South Africa’s sky-high youth unemployment rate, they often feel like they have no future in our beautiful country. Mr Price Foundation is on a mission to change that.

The foundation invested R17.1 million into youth skills development in the 2022 financial year, developing 6,149 youth. Critically, 3,069 youth went on to gain employment at the foundation’s employer partners, including Mr Price Sport, Miladys, Mr Price Home, Mr Price, Sheet Street and SPAR.??

When youth are empowered with new skills and opportunities for employment, they gain the ability to support themselves and their families. That’s how they break the cycle of poverty and inequality.?

That’s why they’re heroes to us. That’s why you’re a hero too, when you support JumpStart.?

You’ll be an even bigger hero if you dress up as your hero for the JumpStart Challenge!

History of the Challenge

The Challenge has evolved since the inaugural Ride for Mr Price Foundation in 2010, a gruelling 606km cycle from Secunda to Durban. In 2020, during Covid-19, Mr Price Foundation partnered with the Comrades Marathon Association to launch the Mr Price Foundation Challenge, a virtual ride/run/walk event.?

In 2022, the hybrid JumpStart Challenge was born, offering the choice to take part virtually or physically. The event raised over R600 000 and attracted almost 700 entries.

This community-spirited event returns from 27 February to 5 March.

“I challenge South Africans everywhere to join the JumpStart Challenge and be the heroes you were born to be! Your entry will support our youth on their journeys to gain skills and employment; and to become heroes in their households,” said Karen Wells, head of Mr Price Foundation.??

Prizes will be awarded to the most creative dress-up at Holla Trails!

So, grab your treads and trainers - and your most colourful hero dress up - and get active for a great cause.

Do it your way, anywhere?

27 February to 5 March: Anywhere in the world

Virtual Ride: 15km, 50km, 100km ?

Virtual Run/Walk: 3km, 7km, 15km?

4 March: Holla Trails, Ballito, KZN

Physical Mountain Bike Ride

* 95km (R350 entry) 6am start

* 50km (R275 entry) 6.30am start

* 15km (R150 entry) 7.30am start?

5 March: Holla Trails, Ballito, KZN

Physical Run/Walk

* 14km (R350 entry) 7am start

* 8.5km (R275 entry) 7.30am start

* 3.3km (R150 entry) 8am start

"The JumpStart programme laid the foundation for my future. If it wasn’t for JumpStart, I would not be where I am today.”? Alonso Chappel, store manager, Mr Price Sport Kenilworth, Cape Town.??

Be a hero.?Change tomorrow.

Online entry link here - https://jumpstartchallenge.org/join-challenge/

For more information - www.jumpstartchallenge.org