Comrades Marathon Association gives back

COMRADES Marathon staff and race organising committee members, as well as runners and ambassadors from all over the world, showcased the true spirit of The Ultimate Human Race this year when they donated more than 200 pairs of new and used running shoes for distribution to needy athletes in the province.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) officially handed over the shoes to KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) on Wednesday, October 12 at KZN Athletics located on Isaiah Ntshangase Road in Durban Central. The shoes were handed over to the KZNA vice-president, Mandla Mngomezulu, for distribution to the runners.

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CMA CSI Committee convener Pat Freeman said at the handover, “The Comrades Marathon Association prides itself on its charitable endeavours and meaningful corporate social-investment initiatives. These running shoes that have been so generously donated by hundreds of athletes to needy runners in our province are a testament to the goodwill and big-heartedness of our international Comrades Marathon family.”

Mngomezulu, who accepted the running shoes on behalf of the provincial athletics federation, said, “We cannot thank the Comrades Marathon Association and its runners enough, especially the Comrades ambassadors who made this project a reality. This token of goodwill will undoubtedly have a significant impact on needy athletes in the province. We are grateful to all the people who contributed to this project.”

The CMA has been at the forefront of charitable giving via its official Amabeadibeadi Charity Drive which benefits six officially recognised charities. Over the years, more than R60m has been raised through the Comrades platform, driving support for the charitable sector and channelling funds to significant social and environmental projects.

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CMA chairperson Mqondisi Ngcobo said, “Through the CMA’s charity initiatives, we have created the opportunity to give back and allow Comrades runners to contribute to significant projects in our country. It is our intention that we benefit those who need it most and add value to the sport of athletics.”

CMA race director Rowyn James said, “Doing good where we can is all part and parcel of the Comrades Marathon’s brand DNA and brand promise. This project is meaningful as it touches the lives of some of the most disadvantaged runners in our province. We thank our Comrades international ambassadors and runners for making this possible.”