RUN CREW FRIDAY
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“ Today, when we attend big races across the country, more and more runners are wearing our apparel. More are even requesting additional information about the group. Besides Durban, we have got other branches across the country. However, Durban is where we enjoy a big following, and we do something we love for the benefit of living a healthy lifestyle.”
The group host morning runs everyday at 04h30am, but it is on Friday and Saturday where they have big numbers with their long runs ranging from 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km hosted in Florida Road in Morningside. Andile, who is a member of Hollywood Athletics Club, says the reason the movement keeps gaining members is because they accept anyone, it doesn’ t matter what running club they belong to.
“ The idea behind our crew was to accommodate all runners without having to check which club they are running for. We all belong to different clubs but it doesn’ t hold us back, we all train together. We are united because we love running. Overall, we are doing this without the financial backing and we rely on small contributions to assist us with water and refreshments.”
Chatting to Abongile Magigaba who joined Izitebele in late 2023, he says the group helped him to get running, as we all know it’ s always harder to train alone. Abongile had started running in 2018 with the idea of losing weight.“ I started running because I needed to lose weight, I wasn’ t happy with the way I was. It was hard to train consistently, so joining the group helped me,” says Abongile.
Feeling motivated and safer running in a group, he was able to get running tips, and given advice on which races he should be entering. Added to that, they form groups going to races so they can share travelling costs.“ It makes everything so much more fun doing it together and I am so glad to be part of the group.”
As the run crew motto goes,‘ You’ ll never run alone.’
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