Members of the Nedbank LVCC Running Club gathered on November 22 to celebrate its 40th birthday with South African running legend Nick Bester in attendance.

The 40th birthday bash, held at the club itself in Steiltes, coincided with its annual year-end function and prize-giving. The event served as a means to celebrate and also to acknowledge its best runners of the year. In attendance, among the LVCC members, was none other than Comrades winner and SA running legend Nick Bester.

Bester is the national manager of the 13 Nedbank running clubs, and was the man who approached LVCC Running and Triathlon Club to become a part of the Nedbank Running Club network in 2008. This marked the start of a new chapter for the organisation as it was the birth of Nedbank LVCC Running Club. Under this banner, it has undergone vast amounts of growth, from 40-odd members in 2008 to over 218 in 2025.

A number of awards were handed out to very deserving recipients last Saturday. Brian Sibiya was named the most improved runner of the year and Madeleine Whitehair the trail-runner of the year.

Simoné Odendaal was named the female runner of the year, while the men’s runner of the year award was shared between Lovers Hlatshwayo and Ntutuko Maseko. The last award of the evening, club member of the year, was handed to Francois Coetzee.

The LVCC Running and Triathlon Club was established back in October 1985, making it the seventh section of LVCC, joining the likes of rugby, tennis, squash, cricket, hockey and bowls. It was established because of a limited number of running clubs in the region.

“More importantly the need existed for a running club that caters for all runners from all parts of life and also for triathletes,” said Mark Greeff, who has chaired Nedbank LVCC on two occasions and was MC during the birthday celebrations.

“In 2008, when I was chairman, Nick Bester approached us to become part of the newly established Nedbank running clubs, just after the Harmony clubs closed down,” Greeff said. “I called a special general meeting and after hefty discussion and arguments, it was unanimously decided that we join them. And as it turns out, it was the best decision we have ever made.”

Other awards handed out on the night:
• Stirrer of the Year – Reon van Aardt
• 1st Male Novice in Comrades 2025 – Chris Schutte
• Bravest Comrades Runner – Deon Cronje
• Most Dedicated Runner of the Year – Cornelea Olivier
• The Duncan Christie Memorial Award for Commitment and Dedication – Tshidi Ramabu
• 1st Male Nedbank LVCC Runner in Comrades 2025 – Chris Schutte
• 1st Female Nedbank LVCC Runner in Comrades 2025 – Simoné Odendaal
• Most Outstanding Performance in an Event (shared) – Adele Smit and Manda Gomes
• Time Trial Member of the Year – Adele Henning.