Since, this will be a down-run Soweto’s Diepkloof Athletics Club is prepared to put all stops and be counted at the finishing line.
Founded in 1984, the club’s mission -is and still- to inspires the Diepkloof community by providing enthusiastic and inspiring runners a platform to maintain a healthy lifestyle and spirit of running.
“In short, the club believes that excellence is cultivated from a young age,” says Stan Itshegetseng, the club’s chairman and financial advisor.
”We believe we create leaders here. We have produced them over and over again. What we lack in funds and technicality, we give back in strength and community,” he said.
Most notable of the athletic stars the club has produced are:
Tshamano Setone, 3 000m & 5 000m Junior SA Champion in 2006, who also represented South Africa in the Commonwealth Games in the same year;
Abraham Khumalo, 4km cross-country SA Champion from 2004 to 2006;
Petrus “Qcoga” Monyai, 3 000m steeplechase SA Champion from youth and junior to senior categories from 1998 to 2005, and who has won marathons in England, France and Mexico, and
Violet Raseboya, 800m SA Games Champion in 2002 as well as 6km cross-country SA Champion in 2006.
Last years’ CM winner Gift Kelehe, a brother to another well respected runner Andrew who won the race in 2001, believes Gift will emulate what former runner and Comrades ‘guru’ Bruce Fordyce did by defending his title on Sunday 29.
Since it’s a Down-Run this means the race begins from Pietermaritzburg to Durban, a grueling exercise that features 89,208km route. It begins from 5am.
“There’s nothing easy. It’s gonna come hard. Everyone wants that win, that gold medal. That’s why I’ve put the 2015 win behind me to focus on 2016,” says Gift.
This years’ theme is ‘Izokuthoba’ -it will humble you.
