Running club celebrates year end in style

CRUSADERS Running Club rounded off its first year as an official running club with a fun Christmas run last Thursday.

All runners dressed for the Christmas run in red and white, with stockings, Santa hats or reindeer ears making it a fun run for all.

Chairman of the Club, Mark Reeves, said he was especially proud of how far the club had come in the year. “In mid-2012, a dozen mates started running together from Morningside down to South Beach and back. Over some bitterly cold beverages and three braais (on the same day), it was decided that the 2013 Illovo 15km Christmas Run, hosted by Westville AC, would be the first official run as a group.”

” Miraculously, everyone survived and the seed was planted to form an official club with our own club colours. After much deliberation, it was decided to approach Collegians Bowls and Crusaders Canoe Club to gauge their interest in having an affiliated running club operating from their premises in the Blue Lagoon precinct. The meeting went well and a running club was born,” said Reeves.

On 1 March 2014, after the paper work was done, the runners set off on a training run as fully fledged members of Athletics South Africa. “If we thought the traditions and status quo of the previous 18 months would survive the changes, we were in for a rude awakening. Thanks to the incredible welcoming and support we received from the incumbent clubs, coupled with a fantastic facility and vibe, we were inundated with membership requests. From humble beginnings, Crusaders Running Club now boasts a paid-up membership base of 92 runners, with new requests coming in weekly,” said the proud chairman.

Reeves said the success of the Club was due to their emphasis on “keeping it simple and enjoying the numerous benefits of club life.” “The three clubs recently undertook a joint venture to build a braai and entertainment area, which is already proving to be a major draw-card, as if anyone needed an excuse to braai,” he joked.

Reeves said everyone is welcome to join them for a run. Email membership enquiries to running@crusaderscc.co.za .