JOHANNESBURG - Four iconic Johannesburg half marathons will from henceforth be run as a series following a joint venture with Discovery Vitality.
The Old Eds, Wanderers, Randburg Harriers and Rockies 21.1km races will now fall under the umbrella of the Vitality Run Series, Discovery has announced.
The races will take place in their traditional periods between August and September to mark the beginning of Spring as they always have.
According to Head of Vitality Wellness Craig Nossel, the series “is a natural extension of events like the parkrun which has more than 300 000 runners taking part weekly”.
“The aim is to motivate people of all fitness levels and to encourage more people to love exercise,” he explained.
And through the Series, Vitality is hoping to help ensure that these iconic races that have been a part of the calender for many years grow from strength to strength.
“We are excited about this inaugural Vitality Run Series. By supporting these iconic races, we want to ensure their longevity while supporting the running community and getting more people active.
"Because regular exercise is a sound investment in good health, the Vitality Run Series is an investment in South Africa’s running community."
Old Edwardian Athletics Club’s chairman Mark Mohrin expressed their delight at this new partnership.
“We are thrilled to be included in the inaugural Discovery Vitality Run Series.
"This event will ensure the sustainability of road running in South Africa for many years to come and we are excited about the role we will be playing in this.”
The annual Old Eds Road Race attracts about 4000 runners and is generally seen as the perfect race for Comrades finishers to get going after the famous KZN ultra.
But because it also includes the 10km and 5km runs, the race is also ideal for beginners.
The Randburg Harriers Club’s Road Race was run for the first time in 1984 and has grown significantly in the last few years.
“Our aim is to foster, promote and develop all branches of athletics for which there is sufficient interest by members,” said Lisel Koch, Race Director at Harriers.
The Rockies Road Race was named in memory of Gerald Fox, and has thousands of runners and walkers that enter each year.
“By offering distances such as 21.1km for seasoned runners, and 10km and 5km distances for novice runners and walkers, a Series like this will create supportive environments to improve population heath by enabling more regular physical activity,” said Nossel.
For more information or to enter the Vitality run Series, go to www.discovery.co.za/vitality/runseries.