Concerns around the spread of foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) in the Eastern Cape have placed community events under scrutiny — including the Sunrise on Sea (SOS) 5km Park Run, which went ahead on Saturday following intense internal debate and strict biosecurity measures. This after reports that the disease had been identified on a local farm. Some within the organisation raised concern over whether to go ahead with the Sunrise on Sea Park Run run, however a co-ordinated push by the largely pro-race committee, supported by advice from local veterinarian Robbie MacFarlane, resulted in the event proceeding with what organisers described as more than adequate protection measures.
Foot-and-mouth disease affects cattle and other cloven-hoofed animals, including wildlife, and has had devastating consequences for the Eastern Cape’s dairy and beef industries. Local park run committee member Dr Danie Bessenger said the race committee had no intention of contributing to the spread of the disease but felt confident that the risks could be managed with expert guidance. The committee, he said, relied heavily on MacFarlane’s experience in the area.
MacFarlane presented the organisers with two options to ensure the event did not contribute to the spread of FMD. The first was to cancel the run indefinitely until the disease was under control. The second was to allow the run to proceed, but only if every runner’s footwear was disinfected using a mandatory FMD-prevention fluid, with no exceptions.
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While the usual turnout of more than 300 runners dropped to about 100, organisers said that included a number of visitors to East London. “We depend on Sunrise regular runners to support all the measures that ensure that our run will continue and not be locked down. “But as a farmer of cattle myself, safety for man and beast must be a prerogative.”
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