Veteran runners reminisce on 32-year partnership

POLOKWANE – Veteran athletes, friends and running partners Jeannie Owen and Felicity Roberts started running together in 1990 and are still dominating running events in the city and some parts of the province.

Roberts said she joined Run/Walk for Life as she looked for a recreational activity.

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“I just wanted to be active and healthy and that is what I get from running. I then developed a passion for running and one thing I like about running is the comradery we have with other club members. There is nothing so sweet like being called in the morning by your clubmates for a run or a walk. Sometimes we don’t feel like running but the friendship we built prompts us to run even when our legs don’t want to.”

She says she prefers short distance races. “I was born in 1945 and I don’t think I would still be running at this age if I had participated in the Comrades Marathon or any other long distance races because it takes a lot out of you. You spend time away from your family training. Injuries are also a problem, especially when you run long distances, so I am at peace with my short distance running.”

Owen who boasts 400 medals and clocked over 35 000km in her running career says running is a lifestyle and has helped her to deal with many adversities in her life.

The 65-year-old said she struggled to deal with the death of her husband last year but she found solace in running.

“My husband died from Covid-19 and it was a difficult period for me. Polokwane Athletic Club became my family. Through the club I made friends and we run together because running is more fun when one is running with a friend. That is the kind of feeling I feel when I am running with Felicity.”

The duo headlined the veterans category of the Mall of the North Marathon on Saturday (March 26).”