"I hope Fortress will keep investing in the youth" - Zululand District coaches welcome inaugural Fortress Vryheid Run

As the Fortress Running Series prepares to expand its footprint by staging it’s very first event in the KwaZulu-Natal town of Vryheid on July 25, renowned local coach Sabelo Ndlovu is pleased, citing it as a positive step forward for athletics in the Zululand District, where a lack of events has been a pressing concern.

"I'm glad there is an event like this taking place in our area,” he told #TheTopRunner. “It comes as a huge relief to local athletes who will now be exposed to better racing opportunities," explained Ndlovu, who heads up the Siyathuthuka Development Club.

A junior athlete from the Siyathuthuka Development Club participating in a 10km race. Coach Sabelo Ndlovu says the inaugural Fortress Vryheid Run will give his athletes a valuable racing opportunity in their home district. Photo Credit: Supplied.

“We coaches are battling to find events for our athletes to take part in. This race has motivated our athletes because they train with the knowledge that they will be competing soon. It is also more affordable for our athletes to take part in a local race because we are usually forced to pay big money to transport kids to cities like Durban for competitions. So to have something like this happening in our backyard is good for the sport.”

Comprising of 21km, 10km and 5km races and taking place at the AbaQulusi Plaza, what makes the inaugural Fortress Vryheid Run even more special is that children under the age of 12 years old enjoy free entry. Ndlovu sees this as particularly important because most of the kids come from underprivileged families. 

"Most of the families here can't afford to pay for their children to enter races so to get free entries is something we are grateful for. I'm hoping for more races to follow suit as we try to produce future champions," he said. 

The Fortress Running Series also includes athletics coaching clinics at local schools in the days leading up to the race. Here Fortress Running Series Founder and former Two Oceans Marathon champion Israel Morake can be seen coaching youngsters. Photo Credit: MWMedia.

Ndlovu who is involved in the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) Cross Country administration and coaching structures believes that South Africa’s ability to produce future road running stars of international substance, hinges on these sorts of events. 

"This event aligns with what I have been doing for years. I love development as it helps athletes to go through all the proper stages in order for them to have future success in the sport of athletics. Sport has shown us that you can make a living through it. We have seen Glenrose Xaba and Cacisile Sosibo doing well through sport. These events will motivate our athletes to be see anything is possible in life. I'm hoping Fortress will keep investing and staging such this event.”