ADVERTORIAL
Images : Action Photo SA , Terence Vrugtman , Cuan Walker & courtesy Murray & Roberts Running Club
In It for the Long Run
From the beginning of the Murray & Roberts Running Club , the focus has been firmly placed on the success and welfare of the athletes in the club , and thus the club is ready to hit the ground running when post-pandemic normal racing starts again .
The Murray & Roberts Running Club is one of the trend-setting outfits in the sport in South Africa . This is borne out by the fact that throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , the club has unstintingly continued to support its athletes , and will continue to do so . This includes the talented team at the Vorentoe School Academy , which the cementation giant supports financially as well as operationally .
It ’ s all about the athletes , says club chairman Ed Jardim : “ From the first moment that we signed on the dotted line two years ago , to take ownership of the club , we pledged our support . That ’ s what we actually signed up for , and that ’ s what we ’ re doing . As a company I know that our first focus is supposed to be the brand , the image , the exposure , but for us and our CEO , Henry Laas , it was always the athletes first and foremost . Yes , we do get the awareness when we step on the
Charné Bosman
The Vorentoe Academy continues to rake in the medals
road , but we are aware of our responsibilities to our runners .”
“ Make no mistake , financially it ’ s been tough , and that ’ s true the world over . But we undertook to take care of the athletes , and that ’ s what we ’ ve done . When manager Dana Coetzee and media manager , Arnold Geerdts came and presented their proposal to us , we bought in because we wanted to influence the athletic landscape in our country with a positive , growth outlook , in which our aim was – and still is – to produce Olympians , which would make our whole country proud . We are on the way , and determined to do that ,” says Ed .
Support Appreciated
In turn , club manager Dana has nothing but praise for the support that Murray & Roberts continues to give to all the members of the running club . “ Ed and his team have just been unbelievably dedicated to the success of the black and yellow , from the meticulous planning , to overcoming budget constraints , to support for athletes on so many levels through to understanding what is necessary to compete at the highest level . Yes , the Corona virus has made it even more difficult , but from a Murray & Roberts Running Club point of view , we ’ ve
The black and yellow are crazy about the idea of racing again !
You can find more info on the Murray & Roberts Running Club via our Facebook page or our website .
weathered the storm and we ’ re so ready to start racing again .”
Despite the fact that there has been little to no competing since March 2020 , due to the extended lockdown restrictions , the club has still produced its fastest men ’ s marathon ever in the striking club colours during this time , with Philani Buthelezi clocking 2:13 in Cape Town . Also , former Comrades Marathon winner Charné Bosman ran an age-group IAU World 50km Record in Gqeberha . Furthermore , the club ’ s success in cross country is notable , and the Vorentoe Academy is once again shaping to have a superb season over the veld .
There aren ’ t many clubs that can boast such impressive stats in these times , and it ’ s testimony to the fact that the runners could continue training hard during lockdown , safe in the knowledge that they were financially covered and could concentrate on the physical and mental job at hand . This , we have no doubt , will shine through even more when we can all line up at the start of our beloved races and fly again . “ We are so ready !” concludes Ed .
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