RandMark has welcomed 37-year-old Lizel Grobler, who is eager to pursue her passion for running and bring fresh energy to the club.

“RandMark, as well as Randfontein and the world out there, has always been an inspiration for me. When I still lived in Vleikop, I took part in runs. I always saw the RandMark runners and wondered how I could reach their level. I promised myself that if I move to town, I will join the club,” she explained.

She explained that sports, running, and working out have always been part of her life. About six years ago, she began training and developed a passion for running, which she realised was an essential part of any workout routine. She stopped during Covid, but after her family had moved two weeks ago, she started running again.

During her school career, she was mostly involved in 100m sprints, but never took a liking to long-distance running, until she started jogging on the roads at their plot. She quickly fell in love and made it part of every workout session.

“Running is important for mental, physical and spiritual health. Mentally, for me, it helps to reduce stress, anxiety and depression with all the things we go through in today’s life. It gives you a routine and stability that helps you control your life better. Physically, it’s good for your heart, weight and well-being. As a qualified gym instructor, I’ve found that it’s the most effective way to lose weight, especially if you’re not keen on following diets. It is also not just about competing. My family is important to me, and it’s something that young and old can do together, even if it’s just a quick walk,” stated Lizel.

For now, her goal is simply to get fit and get back into a routine, lose some weight, explore new routes and meet new people. Long-term, she would like to participate in the 2027 Comrades Marathon. For now, however, she will participate in 5km and 10km races and work her way up.

Her biggest challenge is getting fit and starting a new routine while still giving full attention to her family and three children, who also take part in sports.

“My advice to others is to get professional help when you take this step. RandMark gives the best advice. If you don’t want to run, you can also walk or cycle, so don’t try to tackle it alone; they are there for you with groups that do it together and make you feel welcome from day one. You can join, as unfit as you are; they accommodate anyone as much as they can to suit your growth. You won’t regret it, it will be your best choice ever, even if you do it for fun and not to compete in races.”

Karin Bezuidenhout, running representative for the club, added, “I want everyone to know we run. We also run together for safety and to reach whatever goals people have, like the Comrades in 2027, which will be the 100th. It will be a big year. I expect plenty of runners will want to take part, and to run, they need to belong to a club.”