Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 113, December 2018 | Page 20

ROAD RUNNING
Fabulous Fat Cats
They are loud. And very visible in their black and red club colours. They are the Fat Cats Athletics Club, and boy have they
made a difference to the running community, in particular in the Gauteng area, and that impact is starting to be felt much
wider. – BY MANFRED SEIDLER
W
hether you see them running in groups or alone in races, one thing is for
sure about the guys and girls of the Fat Cats running club: At all times they
will be encouraging those on the road with them. And they will be having
fun. Then, after the race, they are generally the last to leave the venue, regaling each
other with their ‘war stories’ and celebrating each other’s achievements. And they
do celebrate all achievements… Vocally! Whether it is a club member breaking six
hours for the first time in a marathon, or a club member running a silver medal at
Comrades, every milestone is acknowledged and cheered.
The Fat Cats also love to celebrate the achievements of others, even those of
members of other clubs. At the 2018 Wally Hayward Marathon on 1 May, the
loudest cheer was reserved for one-legged crutch-runner Xolani Luvuno, who
needed 5 hours, 22 minutes and 30 seconds for the 42.2km. Nearly everyone had
already left the finish venue at the Centurion Rugby Fields, except some officials,
the timers and the Fat Cats, who were still happily telling each other their stories
of the day. As Xolani entered the grounds, the Fat Cats rose as one, started
cheering and formed an honour guard for him. “We love to celebrate people and
their achievements, no matter the size. To us anyone who has broken a barrier or
achieved a milestone should be celebrated. And we do that very vocally,” says Fat
Cats Vice President, Cindy Nkomo.
Giving Back
It is this attitude and philosophy that permeates throughout the club. All you need to do
is have a look at their Facebook page to see just how much team spirit can be found
in this club. And it isn’t just about celebrating success on the road… the philosophy of
giving extends beyond the running arena, with many of the club members also heavily
involved in raising funds or creating awareness for worthy causes.
Club Ethos
Cindy explains that the club was formed in 2014 as an offshoot from the Fat
Cats Soccer Club. “The soccer club was a group of people who played soccer
together socially and formed a social club, and they came to the conclusion that
they needed to make a difference in South African lives. How was that to be
done? Through a running club. The added bonus was that they would get fitter.
So Fat Cats AC was formed. The club consists of members from all walks of
life. We have attorneys, accountants, journalists. You name it. Any profession is
represented.”
The club now boasts just under 400 members, and all abide by and embrace
the club ethic and philosophy: “The kit that I wear is sacrosanct. It is more than
the materials that compose it. I wear it carefully, with the understanding that I
am fortunate to wear it, and with the recognition that it carries the weight of our
identity, of our brand and of what we stand for. Unity and Support! I wear it with
the knowledge that once I don it, I stand for something above and beyond myself.
Wearing the kit, I represent a specific set of values and ideals in running. My kit is a
symbol of comradeship and the amazing community that is Fat Cats. We respect it.
We are proud to wear it.”
In just a few years, Fat Cats AC has certainly made a massive impact on the South
African road running scene, and as one of the “loudest running clubs” in the country,
is set to continue inspiring and encouraging runners in the coming years.
In 2017, through their CatsCare initiative, the club handed over school uniforms,
shoes and sanitary pads to the value of R100,000 to three schools in Limpopo. This
year it was R50,000 worth of essentials handed over to Sheshegong Secondary
School in Pretoria. On an individual note, club member Zanele Hlatshawayo has
made it her mission to raise awareness of depression and raise funds for the South
African Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) through her Rise18 campaign.
Over a period of six months, she ran 18 races, including the Two Oceans and
Comrades ultras, and culminating in the Washie 100 Miler.
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ISSUE 113 DECEMBER 2018 / www.modernathlete.co.za