Two of Benoni’s oldest and proudest sports clubs have joined forces.
Benoni Harriers Athletic Club (BHAC) will now call Benoni Country Club (BCC) home after being based at Old Benonians Sports Club for over three decades.
Both clubs were established in 1906 and have played major roles in the development of sport in the town in the last 112 years.
Running will now be one of six sporting codes offered at BCC, although BHAC will still be managed autonomously.
On the evening of March 5, BHAC ran their first club run from their new base.
Speaking on the relocation to BCC, long-standing BHAC chairman Ashvin Jivan said that moving to BCC is bittersweet.
Harriers bring with them 160 senior members and 65 juniors from their junior development team.
“We are delighted to be here at BCC, but we are also sad,” he said.
“We were based at Old Bens for about 35 years.
“We haven’t burnt any bridges there and we will still go back there for our Colourful Run.
“The move is good for us with upmarket and modern facilities which we didn’t have before.
“Our partnership with Country Club will be good in a sense that we’ll also bring people and feet here.
“BCC has been very good to us and we’re coming here lock, stock and barrel.
“Our club runs will happen from here and our offices will be here.”
The famous Johnson Crane Marathon, however, will continue to be run from Willowmoore Park due to the size and logistical requirements of the popular race.
“We will run lots of other events from BCC though,” said Jivan.
Read about this year’s Johnson Crane Marathon here:
Kilometres crushed on Benoni’s roads as record field takes on the 2018 Johnson Crane Marathon
“Given that our club is a family club and that BCC is also a family-orientated place, it’s a good business transaction for everyone.”
In 2016, BCC adopted the motto “Home to Benoni’s community” and they seem to be making good on that by bringing more people to the club.
“It has been the vision for some time now for Benoni Country Club to continue to better its offering to the community,” said BCC CEO Darren Millington.
“It was with this in mind that, after opening our very successful mountain bike tracks, that we expand the offerings.
“Running has been close to the hearts of many of our members and what better way than to join up with Benoni Harriers?
“The Harriers are a well-established club with a lot of history, very similar to BCC and I am sure that this will be a long and mutually beneficial partnership.
“I am immensely proud to have brought the Harriers to a new home and wish all our new members a happy stay.”
BHAC club runs will take place from BCC on Mondays to Thursdays from 6.15pm.
Non-members and potential new members are welcome to run with the club.
BHAC will also hold a 100km Easter training run over three days from March 30 to April 1.
Day one will see runners complete 47km followed by 32km on day two and 21km on day three.
For more information contact Anthea du Toit (BHAC general manager) on 079 417 5599.
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