Newsletter
 
Brought to you by: www.nedbankrunningclub.co.za
8 June 2020
 
Race the Comrades Legends

2019 Champs all set to ‘Race The Comrades Legends’

Race the Comrades Legends is here and we can’t wait to take part on 14 June 2020. Be legendary and join us by challenging the times of previous winners of the Comrades Marathon. All the Nedbank Running Club runners will be looking forward to this amazing virtual race. You could WIN 1 of 200 free entries to Race the Comrades Legends by clicking on this link: https://forms.gle/DFLj4j7CfRn29rgN9

Reigning Comrades Marathon Champions, Edward Mothibi and Gerda Steyn will be racing the legends in the Comrades Marathon Association’s (CMA) upcoming ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ virtual race next Sunday, 14 June 2020.

With the entry tally nearing 20,000 the CMA is ensuring that ‘Race the Comrades Legends’ is The Ultimate Virtual Race and with the significant difference of creating a sense of camaraderie for athletes within their social space, adding value to running clubs and the running scene; and helping raise funds for the charitable sector amid the Covid-19 pandemic and lockdown.

The event has attracted both Comrades winners and recreational runners, with participants from around the world signing up for what promises to be the world’s most inclusive virtual race, hosted by the organisers of the world’s greatest ultramarathon.

Both Mothibi and Steyn belong to the Nedbank Green Dream Team and are Brand Ambassadors for CMA sponsor, Swinkels Family Brewers, promoting its range of Bavaria 0.0% non-alcoholic adult beverages.

Swinkels Family Brewer’s Marketing Manager: Africa, Oliver Wills says, “Both Edward and Gerda were the perfect fit as Brand Ambassadors for Bavaria 0.0%. They are both fit, energetic and influential professional athletes who epitomise the fun, responsible lifestyle that our brand seeks to promote.”

Mothibi, who is a Clerk at the Impala Platinum Mine, claimed his inaugural victory in last year’s Comrades Marathon Up Run in a winning time of 5:31:33

Says Mothibi, “I will be running the 21km in next Sunday’s ‘Race The Comrades Legends’. I have not been training properly with the lockdown regulations so I will enjoy a casual run at a leisurely pace. I am already missing Comrades this year, as are so many of our Nedbank Running Club members.”

“With this being a virtual race, I will probably run my favourite route around where I live in Freedom Park in Platinum Village, Rustenburg. I will see who I can run with and make it a social experience and ensure that we adhere to social distancing norms and respect the rules. I am excited about this ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ because it is these legends who have inspired us to run the Comrades Marathon. As a runner and an average humble person, I feel privileged to serve as a Brand Ambassador for Bavaria 0.0%.”

Mothibi adds, “From a young age, I have looked up to all the great runners in the Comrades Marathon, especially the legends. I feel blessed with all the opportunities that have been presented to me since winning The Ultimate Human Race; it has been phenomenal.”

Steyn, who is currently in Dubai, stunned the nation with her record-breaking Comrades Up Run victory in 5:58:53 and will also be participating in the 21km event. Says Steyn, “After the cancellation of just about all running events, it is so great that we can participate in this virtual race. The ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ sounds like a perfect idea as we were all looking forward to the 2020 Comrades Marathon; and now we have the opportunity to run with our friends and be part of it, where ever we are.”

Steyn adds, “Running in Dubai’s challenging conditions will not be easy but I will run with a small group of friends which is allowed. I will run along my favourite route around The Greens which is close to the Arabian Gulf. I will run at my Comrades pace but it will definitely be a social run rather than anything else.”

“The Comrades is all about its rich history and it will certainly not be the same without the stories of the legends of this great race. It was really only after winning last year’s Comrades that I realized how big these people who came before us have made this race special in every way. What an honour! The 2019 Comrades experience was the highlight of my entire running career. I could not have asked for more than that, including the chance of serving as a Brand Ambassador for Bavaria 0.0% which is actually a delicious non-alcoholic beverage, especially after a good run.” 

CMA General Manager, Keletso Totlhanyo says, “We are grateful to Swinkel Family Brewers for bringing Edward and Gerda on board the ‘Race The Comrades Legends’. We plan on making ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ an all-inclusive participation event where everyone can enjoy a run in their garden, neighbourhood and along their favourite running route whilst adhering to the social distancing regulations that are in place.”

For more information on ‘Race The Comrades Legends’ and to enter, please click through to https://www.comrades.com/race-the-comrades-legends-information

#RaceTheComradesLegends #IAmMyOwnLegend

 
Lockdown Level 3 Running Rules and Regulations

Exercising permitted between 06:00 am – 06:00 pm, not in groups.

No Organized Time Trials allowed
No Organized Races allowed
No get togethers for Club Committee meetings allowed
No Running in Groups allowed

Please be safe and aware of your surroundings while exercising and wear your masks

 
Nedbank Running Club Kit

NB. All Nedbank Running Clubs must make sure they have got enough Nedbank Running Club kit for the rest of the year as well as for the first 6 months of 2021.

NIKE informed us that with the COVID 19 Pandemic all their factories have been closed down and will remain closed till 2021 and when they open will only be able to make the international bulk orders first and Nedbank kit won’t be made till end of 2021.

We still got stock at our warehouse and if we run out of that we will have to order locally manufactured kit in the interim.

Nedbank Running Club members should send their orders to their respective Clubs and if the Clubs want to be guaranteed NIKE/NEDBANK running Club kit, they must send their orders as soon as possible

 
Sponsors
 
 
Nedbank Running Club Virtual Time Trials

Nedbank Running Club SWD - George

 

Nedbank Running Club BORA - East London

 

Nedbank Running Club CGA - Johannesburg

 
Clive Crawley

It is with a great sense of sadness that we let you know that the holder of Comrades Race Number 1, Clive Crawley, has passed away.

Mr Crawley was one of the Comrades Quadruple Green Number legends, with 42 medals to his name. He was 89 years old.

Our condolences to his family and friend