Bedfordview Athletics chairperson looks to finish line of lockdown

Bedfordview Athletics chairperson Gerald Yepp has been an active runner for the past 10 years at Bedfordview Athletics and sees the camaraderie of the sport as the main reason he keeps running back.

He has been the chairperson of Bedfordview Athletics, based at Bedfordview Country Club, for just over a year.

Yapp has competed in big races, such as the Comrades, Two Oceans, and credits these races as aspirations for South African runners.

“As the the SA running community, we build ourselves around these big races.

“Our training and all our preparations are usually done to participate in these races.”

He said training from January 1 each year leads all the way to Comrades and is generally how a running season is structured.

“Seasons usually run around Comrades, which takes place in June.

“Runners will usually take July off and then around August the season starts again,” said Yepp.

Concerning age and running, he said you can start to run at any age.

“You can achieve different things at different ages.

“When you are younger you are more suited for speed work and setting excellent times at shorter distances.”

Although, as mentioned by Yepp, you are advised to only take on endurance races when you are older.

“Your muscle structure changes when you get older and you become more suitable for endurance races.

“However this does not mean younger runners shouldn’t go for endurance races,” he said.

Yepp hopes to run until he cannot anymore in his old age and said camaraderie within running is the main aspect which draws him in.

“When you are out running, it’s not about who you are beating, it’s about beating yourself and your own time.

“You are challenging yourself and running with others who are doing the same thing.”

He said running is a sport about your own goals which you achieve with other runners.

“In our running community there is such a vast amount of genuinely good people.

“We help each other even if were in different clubs. We have each other’s backs, especially the local clubs,” said Yepp.

He said even though clubs are competitive, in a big race everyone runs as one.

Yepp added runners generally run 40 to 50km a week, when not training for a big race.

“If you are training for a big race you will increase it to 100km per week.

“If we all were training for Comrades, runners would put in 150km per week.”

Runners are happy when they are running, according to Yepp.

“When the lockdown started, the first thing we all questioned was will we be able to run.

“This has made us all realise that running is a crucial part of who we are, as it keeps us happy,” he said.

As per Yepp, running is a weight-baring exercise which brings about benefits for cardio, muscle and bone density.

“It is a full-body workout and is a great way to lose weight, stay fit and energised.”

He added certain runners run more in winter and often end up coping more with the cold.

“Concerning mental health, running gives you time and solace to actually think about things, especially in our modern lifestyles.

“You get to meditate; everyone needs to do mental housekeeping to remain productive,” said Yepp.

He included socially running offers feedback with other runners, which helps you to engage and in turn makes you happier and healthier.

“Our club’s race, the Dis-Chem marathon, allows for everyone to get involved and interact,” said Yepp.

He said for him Bedfordview Athletics is a club which cares.

“If you want to find a good group of genuine people who are supportive of your running goals, Bedfordview Athletics is the best place for you,” said Yepp.

For now, he said, many races have been cancelled, but all runners have hope and look to the lift of the lockdown.

“I love running, it is a sport that is very inclusive and brings us all joy.

“I cannot wait to run with no pressure again and to see my fellow runners.

“Much like during a race when you are about to give up, we all need to dig deep and imagine the finish line,” he said.

Yepp urges all runners to continue training until everyone can run together again.