Runners off to a rocking start
PARKVIEW – The year has hardly begun and Ram Rocky Road Runners Club (or Ram Rockies as they refer to themselves) has hit the tarmac hard in preparation for all the marathons they will be participating in throughout the year.
The club, captained by Matodzi Tshidzumba, welcomed many new runners at their first trial run for the year in January. These runs are held at Zoo Lake at 7.30am every Saturday. Serious runners are welcome to speak to Tshidzumba about joining the club at these trial runs. Joining has many benefits such as coaching, physiotherapy for injured runners and free entrance to five local races a year.
The club’s compassion and goodwill, however, trumps all in their efforts to assist disadvantaged runners such as the unemployed and the blind.
Tshidzumba organised for Adidas to sponsor running shoes for these runners, facilitated through Parktown North-based company, Captivate Activation. The three blind runners in the club, Richard Mnisi, Horace Mgamone and Rethabile Taungane, showed sheer gratitude for this kind of assistance as they explained their love for the sport and also how they do the unthinkable – run entire marathons without being able to see.
“We use our sense of hearing to listen to the steps of the other runners,” said Mnisi.
“We were motivated to run by the founder of Rockies, the late Gerald Fox, when he came to the School for the Blind when we were younger. He trained and inspired us.”
Mgamone added that their passion for running stemmed from their inability to compete in other types of sport. “Normally, we can’t play football or things like that,” said Mgamone.
“Jogging and running are, at least, easier for us.”
Taungane said it helped him to alleviate stress and takes his mind off his problems. “We are running away from our problems,” Mgamone joked.
But jokes aside, for these blind runners getting assistance to enable them to participate in marathons such as the Comrades and the Two Oceans is difficult and they sometimes have to resort to desperate means.
“Sometimes we go to mall parking lots and beg for money. Running shoes are expensive, and we also need to pay for transport, accommodation and other things we need… [for] these marathons,” said Mnisi.
They are calling for the organisers of these marathons to form a special category for the disabled, as it was difficult to take the lead without having someone to follow.
“We still compete against each other,” Mnisi concluded.
If there are any corporates who would like to assist in sponsoring these inspirational runners, kindly send an e-mail to jonit@caxton.co.za to arrange contact information.
Details: www.rockies.co.za
