Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 96, July 2017 | Page 13

Discovery Vitality is proud to announce the launch of the Discovery Vitality Run
Series, a brand new venture in partnership with four of Johannesburg’s most
established running clubs.
D
esigned to help people improve their health through physical
activity, the Discovery Vitality Run Series connects four iconic
running events in the city of Johannesburg, the popular Old
Eds, Wanderers, Randburg Harriers and Rockies road races
in August and September. The Series aims to get more people into
running, and includes entry-level distances to encourage people of all
ages and fitness levels to take part. The Series also hopes to support
the running community by contributing to the sustainability of these
existing road running events.
“The Discovery Vitality Run Series is a natural extension of events like
parkrun, which has more than 600,000 registered runners, with over
50,000 participating every Saturday morning,” says Craig Nossel, Head
of Discovery Vitality Wellness. “The aim is to motivate people of all
fitness levels and to encourage more people to love running.”
The series will kick off on the 6th of August with the Old Eds Half Marathon,
10km & 5km. While it is the perfect event for Comrades finishers to get
going again after a winter recovery break following the ‘Ultimate Human
Race,’ beginners can also enjoy a scenic 5km or 10km route.
Mark Mohring, Chairman of the Old Edwardian At hletics Club, says,
“We at Old Eds Sports Club are thrilled to be included in the inaugural
Discovery Vitality Run Series. This event will ensure the sustainability
of road running in South Africa for many years to come, and we are
excited about the role we will be playing in this.”
The second race in the Series is the Wanderers Half Marathon, 10km &
5km on 27 August, hosted by the Wanderers Athletics Club, which has
been a beacon in both the local and international sporting world for
many decades. “The club’s mission is to support running and walking
as a recreational activity and encourage participation by all ages and
sexes, from all social backgrounds and fitness levels,” says Dylan
Burgess, Chairman at Wanderers Athletics Club.
The Series then moves to the Randburg Harriers Challenge Half
Marathon, 10km & 5km on 10 September, which was run for the first
time in 1984. “The Randburg Harriers Running Club was founded in July
1982 and aims to foster, promote and develop all branches of athletics
for which there is sufficient interest by members.” says Liesl Koch, Race
Director at the club. “To say that we are excited is an understatement.
We feel very privileged to be a part of the Discovery Vitality Run Series
and can’t wait to put on the event of the year.”
The Series will conclude with the Rockies Gerald Fox Memorial Half
Marathon, 10km & 5km on 17 September, named in memory of
running stalwart Gerald Fox, and attracts about 4000 runners and
walkers each year. This race has taken place at the Johannesburg Zoo
over the past six years and R155,000 has been donated to the Zoo from
race proceeds. Rockies Road Runners was formed in 1975 and is one of
the oldest running clubs in Johannesburg. “Rockies is a social running
club and we have members of different capacities, from elite athletes
who win races to those running their first 5km. We offer a great forum
and support for people to do what they love – running!” says Saul Levin,
Chairperson of Rockies Road Runners.
Getting more people to exercise is a
sound investment in health
Nossel adds, “These events on the running calendar are designed to
encourage people to start, or continue, their fitness journey – a core
aim of the Vitality programme due to the many, measurable health
benefits. Highly social and visible events like these have the potential to
get more people off the couch and into running shoes.”
Research conducted by Discovery Vitality, the Vitality Fittest City Index,
emphasises how important it is to create supportive environments to
improve population health, by enabling more regular physical activity.
“By offering distances such as 21.1km for seasoned runners, and 10km
and 5km distances for novice runners and walkers, a Series like this
does exactly that,” he says.
Challenging people to take on the
Discovery Vitality Run Series
By creating a Series, Vitality hopes to encourage people to develop a healthy
habit of running regularly. Runners will receive a limited edition Discovery
Vitality Run Series medal at each race, and by earning all four, they can
complete the medal set. In addition, runners who complete all four races
stand a chance to win one of ten ASICS hampers valued at R3500.
Of course, Vitality members who complete each race in the Discovery
Vitality Run Series will receive bonus fitness points:
• 800 Vitality points for 5km
• 1100 Vitality points for 10km
• 2000 Vitality points for 21km
• Bonus points for completing at least 3 of the 4 events
Nossel concludes, “We are excited about this inaugural Discovery
Vitality Run Series. By supporting these iconic races, we want to ensure
their longevity while supporting the running community and getting
more people active. Because regular exercise is a sound investment in
good health, the Discovery Vitality Run Series is an investment in South
Africa’s running community.”
For more information or to enter the Discovery Vitality Run Series, visit www.discovery.co.za/vitality/runseries
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