Background:
The CSIR Running Club was founded more than 30 years ago with the objective of fostering, developing and promoting running and walking in the CSIR and surrounding areas to enhance physical, mental and social wellbeing of our members. Secondly, the club organises, promotes and supports running and walking events at recreational and competitive levels.
The club is affiliated to Athletics Gauteng North (AGN), which includes road running, road walking, track and field and cross-country events; and by association, the governing body, Athletics South Africa (ASA).
In addition to CSIR employees, membership of the club is open to any eligible person who has completed a membership application form and paid the relevant registration fee as determined by the Annual General Meeting of the Club Members from time to time.
A brief history:
The CSIR Running Club was established in 1991 with Retha Rossouw as the first Chairperson of the club. Through her leadership over a period of five years, the club experience rapid growth. The first Two Oceans and Comrades races to be run in the original club colours took place in 1991. The first CSIR Road Race was held in 1993, at Clapham High School, Pretoria, with the assistance of Agape Running Club, and consisted of a single 10 km route. From 1994 onwards (until today), the race has been held annually on (and around) the CSIR campus. The CSIR Road Race evolved over the years with a 15 km alternative route added in 2001, which involved some serious dirt and trail running around the CSIR campus border fence. In 2007 the 15 km event was replaced with a 21.1 km half marathon. This dual-distance format has remained the club’s standard ever since, with the addition of a 5 km fun run in later years. The CSIR Road Race matured into one of Athletics Gauteng North’s flagship running events and has continued to attract ever-increasing numbers of participants, with numbers peaking in excess of 2 500 runners.
What we offer and do:
The CSIR Running Club offers the following to its members:
- The main attraction for CSIR Running Club members is access to the CSIR main campus for training. The campus roads are safe and it feels as if you are running in a nature reserve.
- Full members receive a permanent ASA license, avoiding the need to buy a temporary license for every race.
- The CSIR Running Club trailer and Gazebo are available for our members at monthly AGN league races where they may enjoy some food and refreshments after the race.
- Club members participate in a weekly time trial on Tuesday afternoons starting at 17:15 in winter and 17:30 in summer. We cater for everybody, whether you are a fast competitor or just want to enjoy a walk with running friends. 8.6 km, 6 km and 4 km time trial routes are available.
- The club organises a number of social events throughout the year, including a Valentine Time trial, Comrades Soup and Sherry, Comrades Aches and Pains, Spring time trial and so forth. Come and have something to eat and drink while socialising with fellow runners.
- The CSIR Road Race is an annual highlight. The CSIR Running Club, in partnership with CSIR Wellness, organises and presents the CSIR Road Race. All members pitch in at various levels to make this event a success. During this event, members gives back to the running community and offer their services as volunteers as marshals, at waterpoints, for runner registration and number collection, setting up the finish area, marking the route and so forth.
- At the Annual General Meeting, we celebrate each other’s achievements of the past year. Floating trophies are presented to top achievers, the committee present the annual report, we elect the next year’s committee and we end the evening with a nice dinner.
Our facilities:
Club members enjoy running on the beautiful CSIR campus in Pretoria. Most social events are held either at the lapa or in the Tarentaal venue located at CSIR Sport and Recreation site.
Join us:
To join us, you need to complete the following:
- CSIR Sports Club registration form
- ASA registration form (Full members)
- CSIR Access Card form (If not a CSIR employee)
- Provide a headshot picture for an access card
- Pay a membership fee and provide the proof of payment to the club secretary
The necessary forms can be obtained from the contacts below.
Contact us:
@email
@email
https://www.csirrunner.co.za/