Legend prepares athletes for Rio Olympics

Parktown resident and South African athletics legend, Hendrick Ramaala, is training six athletes to run for the Nedbank Green Dream Team at the Olympic Games in Rio this year.

Ramaala has achieved medals from the World Half Marathon Championships and the New York Marathon Championships; he is still the South African record holder in the 10 000m race; and has represented South Africa 15 times at other world championships, Olympic Games and Africa championships.

“We started training last year June and have been training hard, these guys [athletes] are from different parts of the country. All I say to them is just believe. I believe in them, they believe in me and we believe in hard work,” said Ramaala.

He trains the athletes, including himself and future athletes, twice a day, five times a week, and on a Sunday, they run for two hours at Zoo Lake.

In preparation for the big day, Michael Mazibuko, Lungile Gonqa and Xolisa Tyali will compete in the upcoming Mumbai Marathon.

“Hendrick is an absolute legend in sport, and with his vast experience, he is the ideal person to take control of the preparation of our Olympic hopefuls,” said Nedbank Running Club manager, Nick Bester.

From now on you will be able to see the group training around the Zoo Lake area in the colour green as they hone their skills in preparation for the qualifying stages.

The Nedbank Running Club will support Ramaala and the athletes with retainers, product support and accommodation.

Details: www.nedbankrunningclub.co.za