GAUTENG SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT ATHLETICS CLUB MEMBERS CONTINUE TO RAISE THE BAR ON WELLNESS AND PERFORMANCE

By Moipone Matsapola

• ⁠Gauteng Department of Social Development (GSD )Athletics Club member Kgothatso Mphuthi secured an impressive sixth-place finish in his age category at the Standard Bank Run.
• The performance has strengthened his confidence ahead of the upcoming Comrades Marathon in KwaZulu-Natal.
• The club continues to promote health, wellness and active living through regular participation in road-running events.

The Gauteng Department of Social Development Athletics Club (GSD AC) continues to demonstrate its growing potential and commitment to excellence, with members achieving encouraging results in road-running events while promoting health and wellness among employees.

One of the club’s standout performers, Kgothatso Mphuthi, a Social Auxiliary Worker at Walter Sisulu Child and Youth Care Centre, delivered an impressive performance at the Standard Bank Run held on Sunday at the Zoo Lake Sports Club in Parkwood, Johannesburg. Mphuthi finished sixth in the men’s 50-plus age category, narrowly missing out on a podium position.

Mphuthi narrowly missed a top-three finish in his age category. Although his intention was not to win a prize, the performance he delivered boosted his confidence for future races.

“The race was enjoyable and challenging, especially the long uphill section. My target was a sub-40-minute finish, but I missed it by a minute. I intend to do more hill training and improve my speed,” he said.

The 10km race formed part of his preparation for the Comrades Marathon, which takes place on 14 June in KwaZulu-Natal. With only a short period remaining before the ultra-marathon, Mphuthi intends to maintain his fitness through light training runs of between 5km and 7km.

His goal is to complete his second Comrades Marathon in under 10 hours, improving on his previous performance by 13 minutes.

Several GSD AC members participated in both the Standard Bank 5km Fun Run and the 10km race. The route offered a balanced mix of 5km of flat terrain and 5km of uphill running. Athletes appreciated the provision of filtered water at water points along the route, as well as at the start and finish areas.
The achievements of GSD AC members reflect the club’s growing culture of discipline, perseverance and teamwork. Through regular participation in races and fitness activities, the club continues to encourage employees to embrace healthy lifestyles, set personal goals and strive for continuous improvement both on and off the road.

As members prepare for upcoming events, their dedication serves as an inspiration to colleagues across the Department, demonstrating that commitment, consistency and a positive mindset can lead to remarkable achievements.