THE CLUB
Successes & Highlights
Since its inception 14 years ago , the Nedbank Running Club has grown into a powerhouse of African running , with its world class elite athletes earning many wins , podium placing and gold medals in all racing distances , and thousands of amateur and more recreational athletes also contributing to the club ’ s success .
t the end of 2006 Nedbank incorporated a series of road running events throughout
Athe road running season in conjunction with Athletics South Africa ( ASA ). The events were called the Nedbank Matha Series and started in 2007 . The series hosted races from 5km fun runs up to 42.2km standard marathons . Great battles were seen between both the elite runners of South Africa as well as between the youth and up-and-coming talent who competed in the shorter distances .
This series also made it clear that Nedbank was serious about getting more involved in the sport of road running , and in early 2008 it launched the Nedbank Running Club ( NRC ), with 10 road running clubs and three development clubs in 12 cities around the country , with four more clubs on the African continent , in Lesotho , Zimbabwe , Kenya and Ethiopia , being added since then .
With one of its core focal areas being the elite side of running in South Africa , the Nedbank Running Club ( NRC ) has attracted the cream of South African runners , and their consistent presence on podiums around the country is evidence that the NRC is helping these athletes fulfil their athletic potential . For example , at the 2019 Comrades Marathon , the club not only claimed both the men ’ s and women ’ s titles , won by Edward Mothibi and Gerda Steyn respectively , but also took home no fewer than nine of the 20 gold medals on offer ( top 10 men and top 10 women ).
All Levels of Athlete
The Nedbank clubs are also open to runners of all abilities , and the club has also focused on getting Nedbank employees and clients actively running and walking . Whether Their goal is to get fit , kick a habit , lose a few centimetres or just improve their general health , running offers a cheap and easy way to achieve those goals , and the NRC provides an easily accessible platform for likeminded people to get together and pursue a healthy lifestyle in 11 different cities around the country .
Under the expert management of 1991 Comrades Marathon winner Nick Bester , the NRC has grown its membership base from a modest 1 200 in 2008 to over 4 000 by the end of 2019 . As a result , Nedbank ’ s representation at the 2015 edition of
the Comrades Marathon saw more than 1108 NRC runners enter the country ’ s most prestigious running event , and in 2016 more than 900 took part in the Two Oceans Marathon . Meanwhile , the development Nedbank Running Clubs are managed by top athletes such as Enoch Skosana , Pio Mpolokeng , Coolboy Ngamole and Siyaya Khoza , who are able to pass on invaluable experience and advice to the next generation of emerging elite athletes .
Of course , with COVID restrictions currently preventing athletes from lining up at their favourite races , the club is doing all it can to help keep its members safe , but also fit and healthy , through its virtual challenges , and looks forward to seeing the Nedbank colours fill the streets once again in the future . Nedbank remains a committed supporter and sponsor of local running , as running provides an opportunity to touch the lives of all South Africans without experiencing cultural , racial or financial barriers . Running is truly a sport for all .
The Nedbank Running Club has a branch near you , and we look forward to welcoming you all , so join us and become a part of the Nedbank running family ! To find out more , visit www . nedbankrunningclub . co . za or call 012 541 0577 .
Focused on Three Goals
Nedbank ’ s involvement in running is aimed at addressing three requirements :
• To establish Running Clubs that focus on attracting Nedbank employees , Nedbank clients as well as the general public to running , thereby growing the base of active athletes in the country . Additional focus is placed on women , athletes with disabilities , and youth ( in accordance with Athletics South Africa age limits ).
• To attract the best South African runners with a view to raising the quality of local athletes and provide these runners with the necessary infrastructure , backing and expertise for them to be able to be competitive on the global stage .
• To create a family-based experience that is not threatening or intimidating to social runners or walkers who are interested in staying fit , socialising or simply enjoying a healthy lifestyle and improving their sporting ability .
14 NEDBANK RUNIFIED VIRTUAL RUN