Celebrating with a virtual run

The brainchild of the first black boss of the Boksburg Athletic Club Benzi Tenza, he, Maria Gumede, and Hulikani Nyathi met and ran 6.5km in preparation for the 2016 Comrades Marathon and so the name Team Comrades 2016 (Team C16) was born.

Originally created to assist runners in all corners of Ekurhuleni, the team, which consists of different runners from various clubs in the metro, has grown so rapidly over the years that its founder could be left with little choice but to convert it into an official athletics club.

My aim when I started Team C16 was to develop not just individual athletes only but also to develop amateur athletic clubs, especially those from townships,? explained Tenza.

I think the time has come for me to convert Team C16 into a club, signs are there.

The celebrations saw 12 runners from Benoni braving the cold on the day, 21 and 11 from Germiston and Alberton respectively.

Furthermore, 77 athletes participated from Boksburg, with 37 of them from Sunward Park. A total of 10 athletes from Edenvale joined in the festivities and even runners from Mombasa Island, Kenya, 13 to be precise, led by Gladys Mutisya and Erick Shikuku, paid tribute to the special day.

A statement from the team read: “We thank the Team C16 organising committee for the impeccable event coordination.

To Katlehong Athletics Club, thank you for your assistance in obtaining permission from the athletics body to stage our virtual run. Thank you to Smacpix for gracing us with the picture frames under their banner. Our attitude is that of gratitude.”