COMRADES MARATHON – Nedbank Greening SA

Nedbank has recommitted to South African running for a further four years, extending existing sponsorship agreements with The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA), Tom Cottrell’s Guidebook Publications and the Nedbank Running Club (NRC).

The announcement reaffirms Nedbank’s position as one of the major sponsors of running in South Africa.

“With a 12 year history as a sponsor of the Comrades Marathon, eight years with Tom Cottrell and five years of the Nedbank Running Club the Nedbank brand has become synonymous with running over the years and this wouldn’t have been possible without our valued partners; The Comrades Marathon Association, Tom Cottrell’s Guidebook Publications and the Nedbank Running Club,” says Andy Scott, head of Nedbank Group Sponsorships.

Each partner plays a unique and valuable role in growing the sport of running enabling walkers, joggers and runners of all abilities to take to the road and achieve their individual goals.

The NRCs were founded five years ago with the aim of attracting Nedbank employees, Nedbank clients and the general public to the sport.  The 13 national clubs are open to runners and walkers of all abilities and provide an easily accessible platform for likeminded people to get together and pursue a healthy lifestyle.

“The NRC is the only club in the country that develops athletes at all levels, across all disciplines and has a national footprint. Since its establishment in 2008 the NRC has grown to over 3300 members and our elite athletes include numerous Comrades Marathon gold medal winners, numerous South African national representatives and three members of the recent South African Olympic Games Marathon team,” says Nick Bester, NRC National Manager.

“Development remains a priority for the club as we aim to grow the sport by encouraging families and individuals to join us and take to the road in a safe, supportive environment,” adds Bester.

Peter Proctor, Chairman of the Comrades Marathon Association reinforced the value of the partnership and what it means for runners in the country.

“We at the Comrades Marathon Association deeply appreciate the enduring support of Nedbank, who over the years, has been a major pillar of support to ‘The Ultimate Human Race’ and running in general. We greatly value the generous support of this premier financial institution and look forward to many more years of mutually beneficial collaboration,” says Proctor.

Tom Cottrell, the publisher of the Tom Cottrell’s Guidebook Publications has served the athletics community for over two decades and with Nedbank as title sponsor, established a race dates, training and information system without peer.

“The Nedbank Runners’ Guide has become a valuable resource for athletes and I am pleased to announce that the 2013 Nedbank Runners’ Guide will also be available in iPad format. The main focus of Guide Book Publication remains the same: to provide the athletics community with comprehensive and accurate information at as little or no cost to the athlete,” says Tom Cottrell.

In a country with increasing obesity levels, the need for regular exercise cannot be overstated. Nedbank and its valued partners look forward to making things happen in a sport that is available to people of all abilities and has little to no barrier to entry.
 

Issued by Nedbank Group Communications 10 October 2012
Contact:         Greg Harwood
                      Tel: +27 11 295 9754
                      Cell: +27 836497877
       E-mail: gregh@nedbank.co.za