The Fortress Running Series will make its KwaZulu-Natal debut when it hosts the Fortress Vryheid Run at AbaQulusi Plaza on 25 July, bringing its mission of developing road running talent in rural communities to the province for the first time.

The event will feature 21km, 10km and 5km races, with organisers hoping to identify and nurture young athletes from the Zululand District and surrounding areas.

Creating opportunities for rural athletes

Former Comrades Marathon star and Fortress Running Series founder Israel Morake said the series was created to provide opportunities for talented runners in rural communities who often miss out on exposure.

“South Africa has an abundance of talent. Most major races take place in big cities, but the Fortress Running Series gives athletes from rural areas a platform to showcase their abilities,” he said.

The series is organised by the ISMO Athletic Club, led by Morake and athletics administrator Dorah Mngwevu, with Olympic 800m silver medallist Hezekiel Sepeng also forming part of the organising team.

Developing the next generation of runners

Mngwevu said bringing the event to KwaZulu-Natal had been a long-term goal.

“Our focus is on rural athletics development. The 5km race is especially important because it allows us to identify young talent and encourage school learners to participate in the sport,” she said.

Local partnership boosts Vryheid athletics

The inaugural KwaZulu-Natal event is being hosted in partnership with Inkamana Athletics Club, whose chairperson Thami Sukazi welcomed the initiative, saying it would help address the shortage of road running events in the Vryheid area.

Sukazi also praised Fortress Retail for investing in rural athletics and expressed hope that the partnership would continue for years to come.

The Fortress Vryheid Run will take place at AbaQulusi Plaza on 25 July.

The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.