SECRETARY'S REPORT
Asa laamu alaykoem, good afternoon to all members
I am delighted to report on yet another exciting year for ARD members. It also marks my 5th year with the club and I have only witnessed positive growth.
At the end of 2014 our total membership was 251 and currently we have 257 members. This might sound strange and it seems that we did not have any growth but on the contrary we normally have a huge intake after our race because those new members do not pay a membership fee for joining, so training is free. Sadly quite a few of them do not return the following year, however, the members who do return become “quality” and “committed” members. Also bear in mind we had 22 resignations and 2 of those members subsequently returned which is testament that we are doing something right. Some of our “newbies” were not so inexperienced like we thought and we are looking forward to the upsets on the log and on the absolute log. We have some promising new runners who joined us and we are looking forward to making great history together.
At the WPA awards evening ARD was awarded the 3rd position in the league for 2015. With 219 licences for 2015, the task became a bit more difficult to rally members to the league races but still an awesome achievement and thank you members for your valuable support.
MAIN EVENTS FOR 2015:
Two Oceans is always a highlight with 119 entries for 2015.
Comrades is an emotional send off with 20 members at the start.
Cape Town Marathon saw a record number of marathon entries of 57. Not only did 33 runners make their debut, the support along the route and at the finish was amazing. To crown it all Suzie put together a fantastic video which members really appreciated.
Our race had a winter league status and we drew a crowd of 1933 runners in the 10km with over 600 fun runners. Our spot prizes seem to increase every year with the help of our dedicated members. Our VIP breakfast was fully sponsored by our members. For the first time in history we had the community Radio Voice of the Cape at our race to bring listeners updates. Our team competition caused quite a buzz with Team Misfits winning the R2000.00 prize and donating the proceeds to Palestine. The success of our race is due to the hard work of our members from the beginning of the year already. At our debrief we looked at one of the few negatives which will be sorted out with Jive due to the lack of refreshments at the finish.
TRAINING:
We had quite a few time trials which are always well attended. We also did two trail runs which our members thoroughly enjoyed. Coach also introduced hill training and speed work is done fairly regularly.
MEETINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
All correspondence received from WPA is channeled to our exco members straight away and if any action is required members respond immediately. Our executive meeting is suppose to be once a month but with everyone busy with their own personal lives, we try to do the best we can and lots of issues are resolved on our whatsup group.
I am excited about 2016 and the new challenges and fresh ideas - see you at the Awards!
Thank you
Adielah Samodien
I am delighted to report on yet another exciting year for ARD members. It also marks my 5th year with the club and I have only witnessed positive growth.
At the end of 2014 our total membership was 251 and currently we have 257 members. This might sound strange and it seems that we did not have any growth but on the contrary we normally have a huge intake after our race because those new members do not pay a membership fee for joining, so training is free. Sadly quite a few of them do not return the following year, however, the members who do return become “quality” and “committed” members. Also bear in mind we had 22 resignations and 2 of those members subsequently returned which is testament that we are doing something right. Some of our “newbies” were not so inexperienced like we thought and we are looking forward to the upsets on the log and on the absolute log. We have some promising new runners who joined us and we are looking forward to making great history together.
At the WPA awards evening ARD was awarded the 3rd position in the league for 2015. With 219 licences for 2015, the task became a bit more difficult to rally members to the league races but still an awesome achievement and thank you members for your valuable support.
MAIN EVENTS FOR 2015:
- The Bay to Bay water tables are always great fun with Hishaam and his team at the one table and Boeta Sedick and his team at the other water table. Thanks to the family members who always assist here.
- Our awards evening is always a highlight on our event calendar. Members look forward to dress up but most importantly wanting to find out who the league winners are. This information is kept secret from end November until the awards evening. The theme “A Masquerade Ball” was a huge success and the evening overall was stunning. Thanks to our awards committee.
- ARD has been a part of Polar Ice Cream big walk since inception. Here we hold the portfolio of start and finish and the organizers are very happy with our performance at the event. Thank you to our members who also brought family members along to assist.
- In the Spar ladies race we host the last water table and with 20 000 women participating we always require 40 members to assist on the day. This is a fun event and our members do not disappoint when called upon to assist. Approximately 100 of our ladies participated in this event and they are the envy of their colleagues around them when our Chairman hand them a single rose at the finish.
- This year we decided we will only have 3 pasta evenings: Two Oceans, Comrades and Cape Town marathon.
Two Oceans is always a highlight with 119 entries for 2015.
Comrades is an emotional send off with 20 members at the start.
Cape Town Marathon saw a record number of marathon entries of 57. Not only did 33 runners make their debut, the support along the route and at the finish was amazing. To crown it all Suzie put together a fantastic video which members really appreciated.
- The comrades aches and pains party was celebrated just before the start of the Ramadaan and runners could relive their experience as well as the supporters.
- ARD 3 Vlei race was a huge success this year due to so many members offering their assistance in various portfolios i.e. marshalling, water table duties, little leopards, etc.
Our race had a winter league status and we drew a crowd of 1933 runners in the 10km with over 600 fun runners. Our spot prizes seem to increase every year with the help of our dedicated members. Our VIP breakfast was fully sponsored by our members. For the first time in history we had the community Radio Voice of the Cape at our race to bring listeners updates. Our team competition caused quite a buzz with Team Misfits winning the R2000.00 prize and donating the proceeds to Palestine. The success of our race is due to the hard work of our members from the beginning of the year already. At our debrief we looked at one of the few negatives which will be sorted out with Jive due to the lack of refreshments at the finish.
- Every year in August our men treat the women to a beautiful breakfast in Wynberg park after our training run. This year we decided to return the favour with our mens breakfast at the Edgemead race which was enjoyed by all.
- Our only fundraiser was in the form of a Bootcamp which took place on the 29th November 2015 and was a huge success.
TRAINING:
We had quite a few time trials which are always well attended. We also did two trail runs which our members thoroughly enjoyed. Coach also introduced hill training and speed work is done fairly regularly.
MEETINGS AND CORRESPONDENCE:
All correspondence received from WPA is channeled to our exco members straight away and if any action is required members respond immediately. Our executive meeting is suppose to be once a month but with everyone busy with their own personal lives, we try to do the best we can and lots of issues are resolved on our whatsup group.
I am excited about 2016 and the new challenges and fresh ideas - see you at the Awards!
Thank you
Adielah Samodien