Our Legacy
Tracing the Footsteps of Excellence: A Journey Through TRAC's History
Our History
From Humble Beginnings to Triumphant Strides: TRAC's Inspiring Journey
Delve into the vibrant history of Top Runners Athletic Club, a story that began in December 2017. Back then, a group of dedicated athletes, united by their shared journey towards the 2018 Comrades, saw an opportunity to create something special. Bonded by their frequent training sessions, the idea of forming an athletics club took root. The motivation was clear:
- Existing clubs lacked youth development programs.
- There was a dearth of initiatives aimed at uplifting local communities.
- Athletes were offered minimal incentives for their dedication.
With conviction, this vision was embraced by a handful of training group members. Numerous meetings followed, and within an astonishing three months, Top Runners Athletic Club (TRAC) was established. The founding members set forth ambitious yet achievable goals, which were not only met but exceeded within the span of a year.
March 21, 2018 marked the official birth of Top Runners AC, with a modest membership of seven individuals, each of whom still maintained ties with their previous clubs. At the 2018 Comrades Marathon, a monumental moment awaited, as the TRAC vest was introduced by four dedicated members. Lime, Orange, and Black were chosen as our club’s emblematic colors. The challenging 90km race saw each of these four members conquer it, bringing back an impressive array of medals: one Silver, two Bill Rowen, and one Bronze.
Post-Comrades, our immediate mission was to secure sponsorships. This vital support would pave the way for well-structured operations and the creation of distinctive branding materials, marking the next chapter in our incredible journey.
Our Sponsors - Past and Present
Members (Sandra Malefetse & Sabie Mashego-Lekote) of a prominent club were approached for assistance in terms of how we market ourselves as a club and the strategies they taught us were well implemented by all and as a club, we remain eternally grateful for the assistance.
With systems in place, our marketing strategy to recruit members was implemented and we started supporting runners at races and people started noticing that there’s a new kid on the block and that was for us the birth of top runners. We managed to recruit over 100 members in less than a year. During the 2019 Comrades Marathon, the club was represented by 39 members of which was a huge milestone given that we only had four (4) runners the previous year at the Comrades Marathon.
The club was formed with a vision of having branches nationally and TRAC is currently affiliated with AVT, AGN, AMPU. We also have members in Lephalale of which the affiliation process with LIMA has started. Our current membership stands at 250 (March 2018- July 2019).
On top of LIMA, We are also looking at adding CGN and FSA in the near future. As part of implementing our vision and mission statement, Top Runners AC is helping athletes to unleash their full potential, nurture talent and invest in youth development. We further went on to start a youth development program with Emfuleni Primary School of which some of our youth athletes have represented the region in the SA cross country championship.
s What sets us apart from other clubs is our highly experienced coach and our workouts are professionally programmed and integrated into weekly cycles that focus on improving all areas of performance. Top Runners AC is a friendly club, engaging and extremely welcoming of new members. Members are provided with motivation, expert coaching, and a supportive cadre of like-minded athletes. We believe in potential, capacity, and dignity of every athlete, regardless of race, creed, or gender identity. As a club, we believe that, every person deserves respect and that they should at all times feel welcome, included and valued. In whatever we do, we commit to go the distance.
Meet Our Exco
Musa Dlamini
the chairman
Tebogo Masehla
the vice chairman
Temana Hlalela
technical
Hessie Tromp
the treasurer
Dikeledi Ngcobo
the media lead
Mathews Matsetela
the secretary general
Are you an Elite Athlete?
Join our club and you will receive amazing incentives!
- Should have ran 30:31 (Males), 34:45 (Females) on a 10k in the past Athlete 24 months
- Should have ran 63:30 (Males), 74:00 (Females) on a 21k in the past 24 months
- Should have represented the province in the national champs and finish in the top 10 ( ie road race, and cross country)
- Should be in good standing with ASA rules
- Should have ran 2:17 (males) 2:45 (Females) on a marathon in the past 24 month
- Should have been in the top 10 of ultra-marathon in the past 24 months
- Track and field athlete should have ran at the national camps and finished in the top 5 of their respective events
- We will pay elite athletes an amount of R1500, every 3 months. Provided that they have had a podium finish in 3 consecutive months for 3 races, e.g 3 road races. For cross country athlete minimum payment of incentive will be 4 podium finishes and a top 10 finish at the provincial championships.
- Athletes need to have ran in club colours to qualify for the incentive
- Athletes need to submit results of each race within the 7 days of the race
- Bonus payment will be made if the athlete gets 3 first places in 3 months. The bonus amount will be R500 more. Refer to point 1
- Athletes who are elected by the province to run the SA road champs will be paid R300 in the week of the championships.
- Additional bonus to be paid to athletes who are in the top 10 of the SA championships i.e road, track & field and cross country Bonus monies to be paid is R500
- Athlete who are elected to represent the country will be paid R1000. In the week leading to the event. Bonus will be paid if the athlete gets in the top 10 of the event
- Addition pay out for athletes that gets a podium finish at the cross country championships. Refer to point 1. Additional incentive will be R500
- Additional bonus for athletes who gets podium finish at the provincial championships R500, this excludes point 1
- TRAC will choose 3 road races as TRAC championship, athletes who get top 3 in these events will be paid an incentive amount of R500 each
- TRAC will have time trail incentives.
- Athletes must complete 4 time trails in 2 months
- Athletes must be in the top 3, four times in a period of 2 months
- The athletes with the best time will be paid R500
- The incentive will be paid to both women and males
- Points 1 to 4 excludes point 1
- Exco can use its discretion to pay the most improve athlete an amount of R300 for the time trails
- The distance for the time trail will be 4KM and 8KM
- The incentive will pay for both 4 and 8 KM
- All time trails will be recorded in all provinces where TRAC is affiliated
- TRAC will have a time trail for all TRAC members where by the King and Queen of time trail will be chosen in both 4 and 8KM.
- First male and female R500
- Second male and female R300
- Third male and female R150
- TRAC time trail championships will be held once a year
- The will be monies for juniors, seniors, veterans and master. Juniors and veterans and master will pay first athlete in both males and females
- EXCO to secure a sponsor for the time trail championships.
- Most improved athlete of the year
- Both female and Males
- Best T&F; athletes of the year
- Best cross country athlete of the year
- Best road
- Best new comer
- Most improved athlete of the year
- Most improved marathon and ultra of the year
- Most supportive member of the year
- Chairman award
- Sponsor ward
- Point 1 to 10 above no monies paid, certificates and or trophies
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