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Running To Coffee – Pretoria Edition

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Running To Coffee – Pretoria Edition

Uniting Passion for Running and Community: The Story of  Running To Coffee

Hey, fellow runners and enthusiasts! My name is Amish Kooverjee, and I’m thrilled to share the journey of Running To Coffee.. What began as a simple desire to blend my love for running with social interaction has blossomed into a vibrant community that celebrates health, friendship, and of course, coffee.

From Solo Runs to Social Club

At 23, fresh from studying sports science and now pursuing my honors in Biokinetics, I felt a void after stepping away from team sports. Seeking a way to fill that gap, I invited friends to join me for runs, followed by coffee, in Pretoria. Little did I know, this casual gathering would evolve into something much larger.

With my partner Paul Scrutton, we co-founded the Running to Coffee group, catering to young individuals eager to lace up and hit the pavement. Our group caters to everyone, from casual joggers to seasoned marathoners, providing a platform to challenge oneself while forging connections with like-minded souls.

Growing Together, One Stride at a Time

What started as a modest weekly gathering has burgeoned into Pretoria’s largest social running club. Thanks to the power of social media – particularly our WhatsApp group and Instagram page – our reach extended beyond Pretoria’s borders, attracting sponsors and runners from other cities.

Our diverse membership, comprising mostly young working adults and students aged 19 to 27, reflects the inclusive spirit of our club. We convene three times a week – Wednesday evenings, Friday mornings, and Sundays – offering ample opportunities for our members to bond over their shared love for running.

More Than Just a Run

The club is not only about running but also about creating a safe and enjoyable community. Running in a group is especially appealing as it offers safety and fun, which is essential in our country. We have a simple setup where people just show up and run, supported by a team of different individuals who help us by using their hobbies,  for example one of the guys that run with us, Liam Burgess, takes photos just for fun and they come out incredibly. This has helped us grow significantly through social media.

I started this club to change the perception of running and make it cool, particularly among people our age group. It’s about balancing social life with physical activity and offering a fun alternative to nights out all the time. It’s also just such a great and different way to meet people. 

Our activities extend beyond mere running; they include music, themed runs, and occasional social events. Through creative initiatives and the magic of social media, we’re redefining running as a cool, social endeavor that strikes the perfect balance between fitness and fun.

Embracing Community, Embracing Growth

For me, Running to Coffee transcends a mere hobby; it’s a passion project that has enriched my life and those of our members. It’s a testament to the power of community and the willingness of individuals to leverage their talents for collective growth.

I urge young people to step out of their comfort zones and channel their skills into meaningful pursuits.

Join Us on the Run

If you’re intrigued by our story and eager to lace up your running shoes, we invite you to connect with us on social media. Simply follow the link in our bio to join our WhatsApp community, where we share details of upcoming runs and events.

Our weekly schedule typically includes:

– Wednesday: 17:00 from LC Sports Campus or Hoka

– Friday: 6:00 (10km) and 6:30 (5km) from JOYN Coffee

Additional run days are announced via our WhatsApp Community Chat, ensuring you never miss an opportunity to join us on the road.

Embrace the Journey

In closing, Running To Coffee  is more than just a running club; it’s a lifestyle that celebrates health, friendship, and the simple pleasure of a post-run coffee. We invite you to join us on this journey, where every stride brings us closer together. See you on the road!

Tebogo, Haingura and Sekgodiso light up the track at second ASA Grand Prix

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Tebogo, Haingura and Sekgodiso light up the track at second ASA Grand Prix

By Karien Jonckheere

Botswana’s athletes stole the show at the second ASA Grand Prix meet of the season in Pretoria on Monday night.

Better known for his exploits over 100 and 200m, having medalled in both events at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year, Letsile Tebogo looked right at home in the 400m. The 20-year-old stormed to a comfortable victory in a new personal best of 44.29 seconds, so also securing Olympic qualification in the event.

Tebogo gave a hint of what he could do in the longer distance when he set a new world best of 30.69 seconds over 300m at the Simbine Curro Classic Shootout in Pretoria last month.

With his sights set firmly on the podium at Paris 2024, Tebogo told SuperSport: “No human is limited so you have to do everything that it takes.

“For us coming here it was just to check how the body was going to respond because we’ve been doing a lot of gym so you can see how the body runs and if I will get tired along the way.

As for what comes next, the world junior record holder over 100m added: “The plan for now, I think we’re going to rest for a week or two because it shows that the speed is there… the other plan for the Diamond Leagues is just to run and get used to them so that we cannot be scared when we meet in Paris at the Olympics.”

Earlier in the evening, Tebogo’s compatriot, Hethobogile Haingura claimed an Olympic qualifying time of his own in the men’s 800m.

A man on a mission to get to Paris, Haingura took to the front immediately and completed the two-lap event in 1:43.94, well under the required time, and also slicing a second and a half off his PB in the process.

The man from Botswana probably didn’t realise it at the time, but he had run the fastest ever 800m time on South African soil. The previous mark of 1:44.57 set back in 1996 in Cape Town belonged to Marius van Heerden, who sadly died of Covid in January 2021.

As Haingura collapsed to the track after his race, he was embraced by his elated training partner, Prudence Sekgodiso, who also produced an impressive performance in the women’s 800m on Monday night, dipping under the two-minute mark once again to take the win in 1:59.93. The 22-year-old South African set a new personal best of 1 minute 58.05 over 800m just a few weeks ago in Pretoria to also book her ticket to Paris.