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THE MOTORCYCLE TOY RUN 2007
25 NOVEMBER 2007
The Motorcycle Toy Run, taking place on Sunday 25 November, is the day when
South Africa’s country's loudest minority open their hearts to its most silent.
Now celebrating their 25th successive run, the current format is a far cry from
its humble beginnings of some 300 motorcyclists travelling from Milner Park to
Rand Stadium in Turfontein. Now, not only an institution in the biking
community, the Toy Run has become known as South Africa’s largest and most
heart-warming charity event.
Not only is the Toy Run a spectacle, it's the biggest biker party of the year
and a motorcycle procession of awesome proportions. The public are requested to
take note of Toy Run times and routes in their area, which send goosebumps to
anyone that witnesses them.
The object of the Toy Run is for each participant to donate one or more toys, to
make Christmas a little brighter for children of all ages and races in
orphanages, shelters, homes and hospitals in our communities. In addition to
raising the general publics view of motor bikers
The Toy Runs in Johannesburg, Cape Town & Bloemfontein are a registered
Organization, administered by a non profit (section 21) Company in Joeys, and a
Charity Toy Run Trust in both Cape Town & Bloemfontein. None of the
Directors of the company, nor the trustees have ever benefited in any way from
proceeds of a Toy Run.
The inaugural Toy Runs organized by the Italian Motorcycle owners club, took
place simultaneously in Cape Town and Johannesburg in November 1982. Now some
25 years down the line, there are Toy Runs in major centres and small towns all
over South Africa, (Bethlehem, Bloemfontein, Cape Town, Durban, East London,
Johannesburg, Kimberly, Klerksdorp, Mossel Bay, Nelspruit, Port Elizabeth,
Pietermaritzburg, Pietersburg, Plettenberg Bay, Queenstown, Swakopmunt,
Vanderbijlpark, Vryheid, & Windhoek), hosted by local motorcycle clubs and
service organizations, with the invaluable assistance of the commercial sector.
The number of participating motorcycles range from 90 to 18,000. Details of
these other runs are included on the attached document “Regional Runs”
Over 40,000 motorcyclists and their friends are expected to turn out across the
country on Sunday 25th November with toys of all shapes and descriptions, to
bring a better Christmas to disadvantaged children. Distribution is coordinated
by various service clubs. In Gauteng, due to the runs size, the resources of
Round Table, Lions, Rotary, Rotary Anns & Rotoract, Salvation Army and
Ladies Circle are utilized, making it the largest combined services project
known in the world.
The Johannesburg run (being the largest of the runs) has four starting points.
Silverton Midas Pretoria in Pretoria from the north, Steeldale Hyper from
the south, the East Rand starting point is Carnival City and the west starting
point is The Brightwater Commons. Last year some 40,500 where collected and
distributed from the Johannesburg run alone
All of these runs will converge this year on a new end venue NuPay Park /
Alberton Rugby club in Alberton for a day of fun and entertainment aimed at the
whole family. “We expect well over 18,000 motorcycles to take part again in
this year’s Johannesburg run, and motorists are invited to decorate their cars
as well and join in the fun – which is for a great cause”, said the Toy Run
Chairman, Sean Fine. Motorists are invited to join in the fun, and can arrive
at a separate entrance at NuPay Park from 9am with their toys for charity.
Participation in the Toy Run is free. All that the organisers ask is that
spectators bring toys! From the start venues, the routes will be patrolled by
traffic officers of numerous metros to ensure the safety of both riders and
members of the public who position themselves at vantage points along the
route.
The Toy Run is open to any licensed rider on a licensed and roadworthy
motorcycle, provided that he or she donates at least one toy each. The toy (or
toys!) is both the entrance fee and the ticket to NuPay Park/Alberton Rugby
club..
“Possibly because the teddy bear Insignia is so closely identified with the Toy
Run, the vast majority of gifts we receive is in the form of soft toys suitable
for younger children; but there is always a crying need for boy's toys, such as
sports equipment (cricket sets, basketball hoops, soccer balls, etc.), for
children of all ages, and also older girls items such as makeup & skin care
products etc”, appealed Fine.
No private persons have been granted permission by the Toy Run to collect toys
in the name of the Toy Run or on its behalf. Anyone wishing to donate toys but
are unable to attend on the day, are asked to contact a Convenor directly.
Programme Of Events
Starting Times on Sunday 25th November 2007
Silveron Midas in Pretoria from the north, Starting at 09:00
Steeldale Hyper from the south, starting at 09:30
The East Rand starting point is Carnival City Starting at 09:00
And The Brightwater Commons from the West, starts at 09:15
Arrival time at the end venue NuPay Park / Alberon Rugby Club is between 09:40
and 10:55
Going straight to the end venue in a car? Get there before 09:00, and follow the
signs to the separate car parking opposite NuPay Park. The toy donation
entrance fees can then be carried into NuPay Park past the Bike Parking
Area.
The start of the Toy Run for motorcyclists is an event in itself, with an
excitement and a vibe all its own; with many gathering at the various venues
well before the start time, as early as 06:30.
The Processions
The processions will be led by the host clubs, from the various starting points,
the speed of the runs will be regulated by these lead clubs in order to abide
by the applicable maximum limits for the safety of all.
Marshals & officials will be clearly identified with reflective clothing,
please obey the marshals.
Safety Precautions
With more than 18,000 motorcyclists expected to participate in the 2007 Toy Run,
the potential for a disastrous accident is very real. For the safety of all
riders involved, bikers are requested to observe the following safety
precautions:
Only licensed riders on licensed roadworthy motorcycles may ride in the Toy Run.
No quads, ATV's or off-road motorcycles are permitted in the main run. However,
with the cooperation of Metro, a separate route has been identified from the
East Rand or they may tow these vehicles to NuPay Park and park in the off road
parking area.
No riders under 16 years old.
All riders and passengers to wear motorcycle crash helmets.
No "donuts" or “wheelies” at the start venues, which becomes very crowded on the
day of the Toy Run.
Keep to the parade controlled speed during the procession.
Riders are warned that overtaking during the run is dangerous.
No wheelies during the Toy Run unless part of the entertainment programme!
The officers of all traffic departments involved will show very little patience
with this particularly dangerous behaviour during the Toy Run - you have been
warned.
End Venue
Following the sale of the Wesbank Raceway Property the Toy Run toyrun has lost
its best and largest ever sponsor of venues. And will this year end at NuPay
Park at Alberton Rugby Club, a new venue where the traditional beer gardens,
food stalls, displays, accessory and motorcycle stalls will again be on hand.
Please follow marshal’s directions.
Entertainment
Once again live music and plenty of space to just relax with a cool one (or
two). There are air shows planned for this year together with helicopter rides,
and a foam party, which proved to be very popular in Previous years..
Food & Drinks
The Catering at NuPay Park is to be contracted out to numerous small
contractors, and once again the usual fast food and franchised outlets will
cater on the day.
Badge & T Shirt sales, Trade stalls & Displays
The usual selection of unique Toy Run badges, year bars and Toy Run t-shirts
will be sold near the beer garden. The stalls and stands will also be
adjacent to the beer garden and stage & will be showing off the latest in
bikes and accessories as well as bike-related jewellery and memorabilia.
Live Entertainment
Throughout the afternoon there will be live music with exciting spot prizes and
who knows what Miss Toy Run will walk away with this year, all held together by
our very own radio celebrity Mark Taylor from the Radio Toy run commentary box.
Media
Press kits like this one, together with photo opportunities with a variety of
spectacular motorcycles can be arranged at your convenience, and we can supply
follow-up copy closer to the date of the Toy Run. Our sponsors are encouraged
to feature the Toy Run in their advertising during the period leading up to the
event.
Non-Motorcyclists
We ask members of the public wishing to participate not to attempt to intervene
or join in the procession along the route as this poses huge dangers to the
riders; however, everybody is welcome to join us at the end venue NuPay Park,
on the same basis as the riders - bring toys! Your toy (or toys!) is both your
entrance fee and your ticket to NuPay Park.
Any further information regarding donations, assistance or participation in the
Toy Run is obtainable from the Toy Run organizing Committee
Chairman: Shaun Fine 072 129 7511
End Venue Convenor: Pete Beart 083 229 6621
PR & Marketing: Graham Perry 082 903 5767
Secretary: Michele Beart 083 231 5618
Treasurer: Dirk Beukes 083 230 4107
Badges & Routes Shaun Fine 083 400 0214
Trade Stalls: Russell Jones 082 552 4528
Legal Advisor: Peter Searle 082 903 7733
Postal Address:
PO Box 1443 Benoni 1500
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank the following, whose assistance toward the Motorcycle
Toy Run 2007 is greatly appreciated.
NuPay Park at Alberton Rugby Club, the new end venue host of the 2007 Gauteng
Motorcycle Toy Run
WesBank Raceway – Peter Lindenberg, Jan Johnson and the team. For assisting
with the entertainment PR of the 2007 Toyrun despite no longer hosting the
event, a truly magnificent jesture.
Carnival City, The Brightwater Commons, Pick n Pay, Bike SA
Other sponsors will be credited at the end venue.
Plus all the motorcycle clubs, motorcycle dealers and individual motorcyclists
(far too many to name!) who help with the distribution of posters and leaflets
etc.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT PETE BEART, or SEAN FINE CHAIRMAN OF THE
TOY RUN ON 083 400 0214.
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