As part of its own campaign to promote the participation of young people in running and physical activity in general, the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) today donated R10 000 to the Active and Healthy Lifestyle Initiative of Dr Sibongiseni Dhlomo, the KwaZulu-Natal MEC for Health.
Dr Dhlomo has captured the imagination of ordinary South Africans when he attempted to finish the Comrades Marathon in 2011. He has since embarked on a noble campaign to encourage South Africans to start running for a healthy life and is leading with example.
The Comrades Marathon Association has over the years supported various projects and initiatives to encourage especially young people to take up running as a sport, or simply as a leisure activity. Chairman of the Comrades Marathon Association, Peter Proctor said: “The CMA initiated the establishment of the National Youth Run which annually draws children aged between nine and 19, from across KwaZulu-Natal to Durban, to participate in the popular 10km and five kilometres races.
"We also helped with the establishment of the Edendale 10 kilometres race in Pietermaritzburg which rewards local schools that participate with valuable educational equipment and computers”.
By driving awareness around the importance of an active and healthy lifestyle for young and old, the KwaZulu-Natal Department of Health is emphasising the importance of preventative healthcare and reinforces the very important aspect of physical activity through this initiative.
Running remains the easiest and cheapest way to stay fit and active and as such the Comrades Marathon Association, the custodian of the world’s biggest ultra-marathon, is in support of this initiative. The best athletes in the world started with a five kilometres and then progressed to a 10 kilometres – by embracing running as a sport we can build a healthier nation and empower our communities to lead the way in the fight against preventable diseases.
“Our duty is to implement programmes that ensure a long and healthy life for all citizens of South Africa, KwaZulu-Natal in particular”, said Dr Dhlomo.
Similar to its association with the Pink Drive (breast cancer), Starfish Foundation (aids orphans), the Community Chests of Durban and Pietermaritzburg and The Sports Trust, the CMA is convinced that by supporting this noble initiative, a positive difference will be made in the lives of those who are touched by and who embrace the active and healthy lifestyle initiative of the department.
For more information please contact:
Comrades Marathon
Tel: 033 8978650
