COMRADES ONLINE SHOP – BUY NOW!
CSI NEWS
The Comrades Marathon makes a positive difference to the lives of the less fortunate and great causes by supporting six official Comrades Charities. Here we catch up on the news from some of these charities.
RUNNING FOR PINKDRIVE
Ben Bwalya says his motivation to run the Comrades is fuelled by his mother’ s fight against cancer.
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Find the perfect gift today for the Comrades runner in your life at the online Comrades Shop. With the recent launch of the Comrades Marathon online shop, Comrades runners and supporters have been taking advantage of the special range of memorabilia on offer, especially over the festive season.
CMA Marketing Manager, Thami Vilakazi says,“ The Comrades Online Shop is a result of numerous requests from Comrades runners to have a one-stop shop that stocks Comrades memorabilia and branded products. The Comrades Online Shop is an extension of the Comrades Marathon brand. It is one of the many initiatives that we are busy with to create increased local and global brand awareness. Through the online shop we hope to discover, engage and attract new fans.”
The online shop offers convenience and accessibility, as customers can shop online at any time from anywhere in the world. Furthermore, the items will be delivered directly to them at their convenience. The shop stocks an amazing collection of items, including a variety of headgear, accessories, leather wallets, gadgets and a host of utility items. CMA General Manager, Chris Fisher says,“ These are exciting times. This initiative is the start of a whole new venture into branded merchandise.”
Check out the Comrades Online Shop by visiting www. comrades. com and clicking on the Online Shop tab.
SHARE YOUR COMRADES STORY
Every Comrades Marathon runner has their ultimate tale of courage, perseverance and endurance. The CMA is calling on you to inspire the nation to take up the challenge of running the world’ s greatest footrace, by sending us your Comrades Story in 300 words or less, and stand the chance to win a Comrades hamper. Please e-mail your story to delaine @ comrades. com.
COMRADES MARATHON ONLINE
www. twitter. com /@ ComradesRace www. facebook. com / ComradesMarathon www. comrades. com
ISSUE 92 MARCH 2017 / www. modernathlete. co. za
“ My decision to enter this year’ s Comrades Marathon is driven by the magnitude of the life-altering challenge this will bring to my life. I have completed more than ten official marathons and do feel the base fitness level gained so far can support this goal. Running has transformed my life for the better in so many ways. Each time I get out on the road, it provides me with an opportunity to celebrate the gift of life, so I will dedicate my Comrades run to my mother, who has battled cancer for over seven years, thanks to various treatment regimes that have ensured her survival.
And of course, there is the extra motivation offered by the PinkDrive family! PinkDrive is doing an awesome job to ease the pain of cancer patients through early detection and treatment. So, I hope to raise sufficient awareness among my circle of friends, and hopefully, they will spare a thought and avail some financial resources to enable PinkDrive to achieve their goals. See you on the Comrades start line in Durban!”
RUNNING FOR THE COMMUNITY CHEST
Community Chest Ambassador Nontuthuko Mashimane was recently in the UK, where she caught up with UK runners Robert Brand and Steve Hickingbottom, two novice runners in the 2017 Comrades Marathon, and joined them for a fun parkrun experience. She says the most wonderful thing was when Robert recently ran a race in Newcastle and raised funds for Community Chest and donated R900 to her Race4Charity profile. She says it’ s humbling to meet people who care about doing something for others, especially through their passion for running, and she asked Robert a few questions regarding the race and him choosing to support Community Chest.
Nontuthuko: Why did you choose to raise funds for the Community Chest? Steve: It’ s sad that so many people don’ t know how easy it can be to be a healthy person, and to be a positive role model for their family and friends. With Nontuthuko helping her local community and those beyond, we hope that more people will live a happier, healthier and longer life.
Nontuthuko: What does Comrades mean to you as a novice and an international runner coming to South Africa? Steve: Having completed a few ultra-marathons here in the UK, I’ m very aware that the biggest ultramarathon in the world is Comrades. I have watched the recent Comrades races online, and seeing the crowds, the support, the huge number of runners... it’ s completely different to any ultra that I’ ve completed before. What does it mean to me? I hope it means that I’ ve trained enough and that I’ m good enough to complete it. And if it encourages more people from the UK to travel over, all the better.
STARFISH CALLS FOR SUPPORT
The Starfish Foundation supports orphaned or vulnerable children by working in partnership with community-based organisations( CBOs) through two key programmes:
• The Starfish Wellness Programme, which focuses on the health and wellbeing of children.
• The Capacity Development Programme, which aims to strengthen the organisational capacity of CBOs to better manage health, education and child protection services.
Over the past six months, Starfish has provided a comprehensive holistic package of services to 7000 children by working in partnership with 20 community centres. The greatest uptake of services included home visits to 3352 children, participation of 2202 children in after-school care programmes, and the provision of much needed nutritional support to 4168 children. The Wellness Wagon continues to be a source of great excitement as it makes its way through the communities in KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape. A total of 5895 children received primary health care services this way, including top to toe health checks, HIV testing and TB screening.
Starfish is a proud beneficiary of the official Comrades Amabeadibeadi charity drive. We acknowledge the support through Race4Charity, for providing the platform to raise funds and awareness for the cause. Starfish would like to salute all the runners for their commitment and courage to run the 2017 Comrades Marathon, and a big thank you to the Greathearts who have chosen to run for Starfish.
Images: Courtesy CMA