Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 64, November 2014 | Page 15

PA RT NE R Ma M ED IA run/walk for life Meet the Winners… Earlier this year, Run/Walk for Life and Modern Athlete gave readers a chance to win one of two RWFL franchises by submitting their motivational story. With over 50 entries from across South Africa, RWFL eventually decided to choose three inspiring candidates who each walked away with this once-in-a-lifetime prize of starting their own business in the sport they love. – BY LAUREN VAN DER VYVER Images: Jetline Action Photo and courtesy Alice da Silva, Gerard Genis and Hetta Havenga Alice da Silva, Roodepoort, Gauteng “I am delighted at winning a Run/Walk For Life franchise! I am looking forward to making a difference in people’s lives by motivating and inspiring them to achieve their goals and sharing and celebrating our collective and individual progress together – that’s what it’s all about. The prospect of running a franchise where members are proud to belong to a fun family is very exciting for me and there is also another plus to this – I will be doing this together with my son Rubi! We are very grateful to RWFL for this awesome opportunity, and we are so happy to be a part of the RWFL team!” Henk Kaldenberg, Empangeni, KZN “I’ve been running for 25 years, but I was a latestarter to it all, running my first Comrades at age 48. Now, I’ve done 18 and you’ll see my times are conservative. I take every step with grace and now the RWFL opportunity is one I can share with people who want to compete within themselves. In 2005, I brought hundreds of runners home at Comrades, pacing the sub-12:00 bus with Vlam and company. That was positive, joyous and magical. It’s the same atmosphere I want to have at my franchise. I intend to encourage everyone, the 80-year-old or 18-year-old! RWFL gives you humble pride, quiet offering, and you have to have unwavering commitment. It gives you a healthy lifestyle.” Modern Athlete is proud to be an official media partner of Run/Walk For Life, the organisation with over 30,000 members in 100 branches throughout South Africa. RWFL specialises in getting you started as a walker or a runner, and also has one of the biggest and most active athletic clubs in SA. To find a branch near you, go to www.rwfl.co.za and click on the Branches tab for a handy interactive map. MORE INFO: 0861 00 55 66 or [email protected]. Gerard Genis, Wentworth (Durban), KZN “I had the opportunity to give a talk on HIV and my status to the community of Wentworth. After my talk, a lady approached me and asked if I could send my story to Run/Walk For Life. She was so inspired and said that people’s mindsets need to change. I was so surprised that people would notice me, so I sent in my story. A few weeks had gone by and then the phone call came informing me that I’d been nominated for a RWFL franchise. And I won! This was so overwhelming. RWFL could help me promote running for HIV positive patients as well as the people of Wentworth. I am happy and I hope to help others to be as happy while promoting a healthy lifestyle for all. To live long, live healthy and exercise. The main thing is that I need to show everybody that they can do it. So let’s do it!” Your Health. Your Fitness. Your Life. 15 SA's Biggest Running Publication