Trusted partner, Bestmed Medical Scheme joins the CSIR for their 2024 road race to deliver an inclusive race for the running community.

As an organisation that is passionate about community development, Bestmed’s new partnership with the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) – an entity renowned as an accelerator of socio-economic prosperity through innovation – is the perfect fit.

As the new main sponsors of the celebrated CSIR Road Race, a road-running event first hosted 31 years ago, in 1993, Bestmed is eager to participate in delivering an inclusive race for the South African running community. Long considered a favourite of its kind in Pretoria, the event aims to appeal to runners of all levels, as it offers 5km, 10km and 21km distances, thereby meeting the needs of amateur and professional road runners alike.

Dr Thulani Dlamini, CEO at CSIR states that “the CSIR Race is always a fun-filled family event, that genuinely offers something for everyone. Highlighting the focus on inclusivity, the 2024 CSIR Road Race is offering free entry for blind athletes, as well as runners over the age of 70. At the same time, it is a serious enough race that it provides a platform for elite runners to run the half-marathon – a distance that will prepare them for bigger challenges, such as local or international full-marathons, including the Comrades Marathon or other ultra-distance races.”

This year’s edition is expected to have more participants than in 2023, which saw around 2 000 entrants – split almost equally between males and females from some 290 running clubs, participating in the race. Moreover, learners from a local school will be running in the 5km leg of the race – this is an effort to ensure that learners are exposed to the world of running, presenting an opportunity to grow into the sport for those who wish to become avid runners.

“What makes this race so amazing is that it really is for everyone, demonstrated by the fact that the age of the participants last year ranged from 14 to 84 years. Adding to the unique feel of this event, the race medals have been developed at the CSIR, using laser technology,” says Dr Dlamini.

Karen Pienaar, Bestmed Sponsorship and CSI Specialist, points out that the key CSIR values of excellence, integrity, collaboration and being people-centric dovetail perfectly, with Bestmed’s own principled and passionate approach to its members.

“Bestmed is excited to collaborate with the CSIR, in sponsoring the 31^st CSIR Road Race since we are already collaborating successfully in other areas of business” concludes Karen.

The annual CSIR Road Race is scheduled to take place on Saturday, 19 October 2024 from 06:00 at the CSIR Pretoria Campus, North Gate, Meiring Naude Road, Brummeria in Pretoria, Gauteng. Visit entryninja.com for more information and to enter to the race.

-ENDS-

Issued by CSIR and Bestmed Medical Scheme

For more information, contact:
Phetolo Phatsibi, Media Relations Practitioner
Email: PPhatsibi@csir.co.za
Mobile: 081 396 8871

About the CSIR:

The CSIR, an entity of the Ministry of Science and Innovation, is one of the leading scientific and technology research, development and implementation organisations in Africa. Constituted by an Act of Parliament in 1945 as a science council, the CSIR undertakes directed and multidisciplinary research and technological innovation, as well as industrial and scientific development, to improve the quality of life of all South Africans. For more information, visit www.csir.co.za.

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Twitter: @CSIR. Facebook: CSIRSouthAfrica. Instagram: CSIRSouthAfrica. LinkedIn: Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR). YouTube: CSIRNewMedia

For more information, contact:

Karen Pienaar, Sponsorship and CSI Specialist
Email: Karen.pienaar@bestmed.co.za
Mobile: 082 563 5774

About Bestmed

Bestmed Medical Scheme is the largest self-administered medical scheme in South Africa. Bestmed’s “Personally Yours” philosophy leads the way in the medical aid industry. Bestmed was voted first in 2020 and 2022, and second in 2023, for customer experience in the Ask Afrika Orange Index® benchmark’s medical aid category. Bestmed also received the highest rating in the South African Customer Satisfaction Index’s (SA-csi’s) medical scheme industry research in 2020, 2021 and 2022, regarding perceived quality, perceived value, overall customer service, and customer loyalty. The Scheme won the Financial Intermediaries Association of Southern Africa (FIA) Intermediary Experience Award 2022 for Product Supplier of the Year: Healthcare. Bestmed ranked in the top three for this award in 2023. Bestmed’s membership offerings include 14 unique plans, designed to suit the needs of members. Beneficiaries have access to a network of more than 18 000 healthcare professionals countrywide. The Scheme’s head office is based in Tshwane (Gauteng). Bestmed has satellite offices in Nelspruit, Durban, Cape Town, Gqeberha (Port Elizabeth) and Polokwane.