GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — The Graaff-Reinet Running Club is urging all residents of Graaff-Reinet to become a member of the Club.
At present the Club is running a special offer whereby anyone who joins before the end of February will have the added bonus of the Club contributing half of their Botanics Sports Grounds membership fees for 2017.
The primary function of the Graaff-Reinet Running Club is to promote the sport of running within the community and to encourage camaraderie among its members. They basically want people to run and have fun while doing it!
In 2016, Club members participated in various races throughout the country.
These races included - among several other - the Port Elizabeth-based Aspen Marathon in which eight members participated, as well as the Friendly City Marathon. During the Friendly City Marathon, local runners Sipho November and Jan Fick were placed fourth and sixth respectively - remarkable achievements.
Other races Club members participated in include the Woodlands Dairy 15km, as well as the ever popular Meirinigspoort races where 11 Club members ran the half marathon and two runners the 10km race.
This year, there are already a number of hopefuls who will prospectively be representing the Club at the Two Oceans and Comrades marathons.
The benefits of getting off the couch and hitting the road, albeit it with a brisk walk, slow jog, walk-run or simply running, is well-known and since Graaff-Reinetters are blessed to be surrounded by plenty of scenic roads to run, the Club would like to inspire all aspiring runners to join so that they too can experience the feeling of running along the beautiful Reserve Road - among others - accompanied by fellow athletes.
Runners can also be assured of the added safety provided by running in numbers and the conversations among runners along the route helps to pass the time and distracts one from the effort.
This year, the Club intends to grow the sense of community amid its members while boosting its coffers with various fund raising social and running events being planned.
First on the calendar is a hippie dance to be held on March 3 at the Botanics. Tickets for this fun evening is available from Rozelle Köhne at the Montego Pet Nutrition offices in Bresler Street.
The Bruintjieshoogte 50km -, 25km - and 15km races in Somerset East will serve as this year's “away” Club race. Club members' costs to participate and attend this event will be covered by the Club.
On March 30, the Club will host a Mud Run at the Botanics, where teams of four can compete with each other, race through mud and water obstacles, get grubby, muddy and sopping wet, and generally have a huge amount of fun.
The Club further intends to support the Nieu-Bethesda Moonlight Run/Walk in March, to organise the Rainbow Run Street Mile in May and to once again host the Windpomp Run during Karoo-lus.
In all small towns, it takes dedication and commitment by club members and their respective committees to maintain and build the various sporting codes and encourage participation therein.
Graaff-Reinet and its residents are fortunate to be surrounded by a nature reserve, to have access to the well maintained Botanical Sports Grounds and its excellent facilities, and to house many excellent sporting achievers in all disciplines. The Graaff-Reinet Running Club invites all to help them grow the sport of running where ever possible.
Those wishing to join the Club can do so by contacting Rozelle Köhne at 049 891 0825 for an application form - by so doing you will be able to participate in many organised and informal events offered by the Club.
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