Chairman’s End of Year Message
As we hurtle towards the end of 2024, for many the festive period is a time of reflection, recharging, and setting new goals for the year ahead – in relation to our careers, our personal lives . . . and, as runners, in our sport that we love.
Looking back on the past year, we can reflect on a year where FHAC has continued to steadily grow our membership. Club representation at races is noticeably higher than the preceding few years, with many of our members embracing the challenge of the Short Course and Long Course incentive schemes.
The number of members that received awards at the FHAC Awards Evening for running debuts at various distances was evidence that our athletes are not afraid to go out of their comfort zones in the search for new challenges.
Before we throttle down on our running for the year and start tucking into the Christmas mince pies and trifle, we have our traditional last long run of the year on Saturday, 14th December. The run starts at Long Beach in Simon’s Town at 6am. The route is 29km long and basically follows the same route as John Korasie (minus one small loop). Once back at the beach there will be food and drinks available, and it is a fun social time, so please join us.
After a well-deserved break over the festive season, I’m sure most of you will have set new running goals, and be raring to go in 2025. I’m sure that many of you have eyed the Club Standards (devised by Pat Benade and James Gaylard) and will have set your sights on certain personal targets.
We are in the fortunate position as a club that both of our races have a title sponsor for 2025. The Timbercity Red Hill Marathon takes place on 25th January 2025 and we are aiming to run a greener event this year, with a massive reduction in the use of water sachets. Also, we will be donating R10 from every race shirt sold to the ToadNUTS – Save the Western Leopard Toad Fund. 
We will require over 300 volunteers on the Timbercity Red Hill race day, so I encourage every single member to get involved in some form and give back to your club.
We are also excited to welcome On as our title sponsor for the PUFfer, which takes place in August next year. Look out for some exciting announcements regarding the race and our sponsor’s products closer to the event.
I’d like to sign off by wishing all our members a peaceful and blessed Festive Season, and may your 2025 be filled with fitness and the joy of running.
