Members of the Sunninghill Striders Running Club took to the streets wearing black in memory of Elizabeth ‘Tsontso’ Moselakgomo, a runner who recently went missing before being found dead.

They were calling for runners to prioritise safety by running in groups. Club chairperson Mariska Venter said the run attracted a good turnout, with members joining to show their support and raise awareness about the risks faced by people running alone. “Everyone is wearing black in support of Elizabeth and getting awareness to get people to run in groups and not alone,” said Venter.

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She added that black was chosen as a symbol of mourning. “It is a mourning colour. With her passing, and as it is a sad event, you want to wear something that is almost like a funeral in a sense,” she said.

Venter, who has been running for between 10 and 15 years, said Elizabeth’s death had also made her more concerned about running alone. She said it was difficult for runners to feel they had to constantly be alert about their surroundings. “It is not nice to constantly look over your shoulder and be scared that something might happen to you and you may not return home,” said Venter.

Despite the concerns, she encouraged women and other runners who may now feel afraid to continue with the sport by joining running clubs or finding organised group runs. “I would always encourage people to join a club. Even if there are no clubs around you, there are lots of coffee runs where people come together at a coffee shop. Try to stay in a group, stay motivated, and you can still do what you love,” she said.

Venter said the club had also put measures in place to keep members together during runs. She said the club’s time trials take place in a boomed-off area with security, while members are encouraged to stay together during other runs so that no one is left behind.

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Fellow Sunninghill Striders athlete Nick Britz said the event was marked by mixed emotions. He said the club had also taken steps to improve safety. “We do take safety measures, including using routes that are quieter and safer,” he said.

Britz said the club’s group runs also provide a safer environment for families and their pets, with some members bringing their dogs along. The runners’ message was that safety should not prevent people from enjoying the sport, but that running together can help reduce some of the risks faced by those exercising alone.

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