Florida Running Club launches new logo and branding
A new sub slogan " No limits" was included as the club believes there are no limits to what can be achieved.
Society in general has become more health conscience. In addition there is greater emphasis on participation in various physical activities to promote fitness and the wellbeing of individuals. These are the words of Tessa Shellard, Florida Running Club chairperson.
Florida Running Club has taken heed of this and renewed their vision for the club. The club realised that a new logo and branding were required to achieve their objective.
While still predominantly a running club, Florida offers road cycling, mountain biking, duathlons, triathlons, park runs, trail running and many more. These activities allow for cross training which contributes to personal success in any endurance events.
The new logo encapsulates the three primary activities their members participate in – swimming, cycling and running, in varied modes of course – together with their new slogan “Inspired by life”.
A new sub slogan – “No limits” was included as the club believes there are no limits to what can be achieved.
Shellard says, “We aspire for our members to be healthy, to love life and live it to their fullest, to inspire one another, and to be the best they can be in all realms of life.
“Educating children about the importance of health and regular exercise is important and therefore we encourage the participation of children in all events.
“A 2km time trial route is marked out specifically for our children.”
Florida Running Club was started officially in 1988 by a group of men who played hockey at a local club. The first chairperson of the club was Ian Pinnock. The late George Koertzen, renowned in the sporting fraternity as an announcer and journalist, was instrumental in the success of the club for many years.
This “new” club created quite a stir within the running community, as their running vests were mostly pink with a little white. The club’s pink attire remains a topic of conversation nationwide.
Time trials take place every Tuesday at 6pm at Florida Tennis Club (cnr Jan Hofmeyer and Jan Smuts Drive, Florida). Club runs are arranged for most Sundays and a variety of distances are offered, once again catering for all levels of runners.
A number of their members participate in the big ultras each year, namely the Comrades Marathon, the Two Oceans, Om Die Dam, Loskop and many more.
Two of their members just returned from running the Berlin Marathon.
The club hosts a Road To Comrades training programme headed by Laurie Lewis and is aimed primarily at training and guiding the novice Comrades runner.
Organised club rides take place every weekend, usually consisting of a road ride on Saturdays and a mountain bike ride on Sundays. This, however, varies to provide for races on the calendar. Members are encouraged to ride in the annual 94.7 Cycle Challenge, the Argus in Cape Town, the Amashova in Durban as well as the local races. Local mountain bike races as well as the bigger races such as Joberg2c, Berg and Bush and the latest Urban Assault are well supported.
The duathlon (run/ bike/ run) season during winter months ensures that a good level of fitness is maintained.
“The Momentum Health Oatwell Dual X series has been a winner this season, catering for all levels of participants, including children’s races,” says Shellard.
Triathlon is the “new golf” with participant numbers increasing impressively.
The Half Ironman event (1,9km swim/ 90,1km cycle/ 21,1km run), taking place in East London on 24 January 2015 was sold out in August. A few of the club’s members have taken the challenge and will be participating in both this event and the Full Ironman (3,8km swim/ 180,2km cycle/ 42,2km run) in Port Elizabeth on 29 March 2015.
For more information check out the Florida Running Club’s website at www.floridarunningclub.co.za as well as their facebook page Florida Running Club.
