Xavier Athletic Club wants to develop its area
As thousands of women across the country participated in SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge, the local Xavier Athletic Club did their part on September 4.
They started and finished their race at SUPERSPAR Xavier. Over the years, the SPAR Women’s Challenge has brought women from all walks of life together to make a difference in their communities, and this year was no different.
Due to the global climate, the SPAR Women’s Challenge was unable to proceed as usual with a traditional challenge. It was done anytime between 06:00 and 18:00. People ran, jogged or walked their own virtual challenge, at their own pace, from any location they chose.
This year’s theme was #LiveLimitless.
SUPERSPAR Xavier owner Sundeep Desai said they support the annual race.
“Because of Covid-19 the race is done virtually. The Xavier Athletic Club asked me if they could start and finish the race at our store and we agreed. We also provided refreshments for the runners. It is a SPAR-sponsored race after all,” he said.
Tumi Magubane and Linda Manyoro were the first runners to finish the race.
Londi Magubane, who is the coach of Xavier Athletic Club, said their club started as a know-your-neighbour initiative.
“We have people joining us for different reasons: to get to know one another, others to lose weight and others to keep fit and live a healthy lifestyle. We encourage people from Ormonde and Xavier Reef to join us,” he said.
Ncediwe Zwane, the secretary of the club, said they are always encouraged by the coach to run at least three times a week.
“We have professional and casual runners in our team and we run as often as we can. We participate on weekends whenever possible,” she said.
Club chairperson Michael Dell said they established the club in 2019 and have 58 members, including former Orlando Pirates captain Lucky Lekgwathi and his wife, Brenda.
“We practice on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 06:00 to 07:30. We do 10kms and on Saturdays that’s when we do long runs: 15 to 21kms. We also participate in running events and are looking forward to the September 24 event.
“Although we do other races, our ultimate goal is to develop our area and make it a better place,” noted Dell.
For more information contact Londi on 082 697 1909 or Dell on 082 314 5525.
