Athletics club promotes fitness with spring run
The Gijima Nkomazi Athletics Club encouraged local community members to start spring off with a spring in their step during a fun run at KaMaqhekeza Stadium last Saturday.
About 112 participants of all ages took part in a five-kilometre trail run at the kaMaqhekeza Stadium on Saturday.
The event was hosted by the Nkomazi Athletics Club and everyone was rewarded with a medal at the finish line.
Eleven-year-old Ayanda Bhila was the first female to finish the race and received a hamper from Health Matters as part of a Women’s Month promotion.
“My mom and dad encouraged me to take part because I did not want to run anymore. My dad said I should not be discouraged,” she said.
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Veteran runner William Themba (65) said he had some tough competition but managed to finish in good time.
“I was lagging behind but I managed to continue to run and catch up. If you don’t exercise you are ageing yourself. If you stay in one place your body will be always feel tired and sick. So I’d encourage others to come and take part,” he said.
“We encourage fitness and a healthy lifestyle through joining Nkomazi Athletics Club,” said fun run organiser, Lordrick Mathonsi.
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“We also want to identify talent and give people who like to run the opportunity to do so. We encourage young and old to take part. Getting youngsters to focus on fitness keeps them away from social ills,” Levi Mazibuko. “We want to improve the community’s health and add to the number of people who take part in the Comrades Marathon. We want people from Nkomazi to run the Comrades at least once,” said Eseu Ngwenya, chairman of the club.
Gijima will host a Comrades qualifier event early next year.
For more information or to join the club, contact them on 072-846-7212 or 061-413-5401 or send an email to gijimankomaziac@gmail.com.
