The Roodepoort Athletics Club is turning 42 this year.
It is one of the oldest running clubs in Roodepoort and has 190 members.
The club was started by Jan Kemp and two of his friends in 1973 as there were no running clubs closer to home.
“At the time, there were three clubs in the West Rand, the Germiston Callies, Wanderers Athletics Club and the Johannesburg Harriers Athletics Club but none were near to us so we started the Roodepoort Athletics Club. It was all because we loved the sport,” said Kemp.
Kemp has competed in the Old Mutual Om Die Dam Marathon 19 times, the Comrades Marathon 27 times and finished 10 100-miler marathons.
Over the years the club has grown bigger, producing champions such as 1979 Marathon Champion Dougie Schaffer and 10 kilometre South African champion Annelise van Wermeskerken. Stephan Bothma, who has an astonishing 26 Comrades marathon medals is also from the club.
On Tuesdays, the club focuses on 10 kilometre koppies (hills) training, Wednesdays they have time trials, on Thursdays they have a 10 kilometre club run and during weekends the club members decide what kind of training will be done.
On the first Wednesday of each month, the club hosts a bring and braai.
Charlie Herselman has been the club’s chairman for 30 years and said the club is growing stronger with each passing year.
“We are an active club so we have a lot of members whether they are social members or club members.
The club also organises two road races every year, the 5 and 10 kilometre fun run at Northgate Shopping Centre in June and another 5 and 10 kilometre fun run at Princess Crossing in November,” said Herselman.
The club can be found on Mouton Road in Horizon next to the Ampie Barnard Tennis Courts.
