Magnolia Road Runners
Chairman’s Report 2020
It has once again been a privilege to serve as Magnolia’s chairman during this the 39th year of our club’s existence. Every year offers its own challenges to the serving committee to ensure that the club’s values and traditions are upheld and improved in the changing environment of modern day road running and walking.
During March the Covid-19 worldwide pandemic hit home and the country went into a hard lock down that effectively shut down road running as we know it indefinitely. Although the lock down has been alleviated to alert level 1 road running will probability only resume towards the latter part of 2021.
I would like to thank my entire committee for their dedication and selfless efforts during the year to ensure that all our members could enjoy the sport we all hold so dearly even though the unique circumstances posted numerous challenges.
Bar the pandemic we were still able to host certain events and initiatives successfully during the past 12 months:
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Our Christmas Charity run
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The Intercare Classic Road Race
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Our continued presence at local and other races through our Club Tents up until the middle of March
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Our Sunday club runs which were suspended for 6 months but re-instated towards the middle of September under Covid-19 protocols
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Our monthly social and braai during summer months
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Our frequent newsletter
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Our Wednesday quality training sessions presented by Clint Hunter – also suspended for 6 months but re-instated in September
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A Comrades information talk on injuries and dietary requirements
Our race at the beginning of February sponsored by Intercare for the second year was successfully presented and enjoyed by the running and walking community. Most of the challenges experienced in 2019 with the change of sponsorship were addressed and the levels of participation went back to where they were in 2018. The race will not be presented in 2021 but should resume in 2022. Intercare indicated that they would be interested to extend their sponsorship beyond the initial three events. We are grateful for this gesture and are looking forward to a long-term sponsor relationship with Intercare.
I would like to thank all our members who contributed to the success of our 2020 race. That includes not only the race director and his committee but every member who put his or her hand up and offered help either on the Friday afternoon or on the day of the race. Your effort paid off handsomely.
Our financial position has improved substantially because we managed to present our race before the lock down. Our overheads in the latter halve of the reporting year were substantially lower than budget which further enhanced the surplus we are reporting.
In 2021 our financial position will deteriorate again. Without income from our race we shall have to rely on our membership fees to balance the books. Indications are that AGN will have 2021 licences available early in the new year at the same rates as 2020. I would like to call upon all our members to renew their 2021 membership when the numbers are available even though we do not know when the first races will be taking place. This should enable us to stimulate our financial position in 2021 without the need to dig into our reserves.
It is our intention to keep subscriptions for the 2021 flat in line with AGN licences. I would like to thank Chris Greyling, our honorary auditor, and his staff for their contributions and efforts in preparing our audited financial statements on a pro bono basis.
We learned with sadness of the passing of the following former and present Magnolia Members during the year:
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Oom Jorrie Jordaan – a phenomenal runner and later a walker. Oom Jorrie died at the age of 83.
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Oom Martin Coetzee – a member for more than 30 years and brave runner that won the Comrades trophy for the oldest finisher twice. Oom Martin died at the age of 88.
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Hank Bezuidenhout – Hank joined the club 39 years ago. He served as chairman in the nineties and was the only race director the club ever had. Hank died after a brave battle with cancer at the age of 71.
Our deepest sympathy to their families and close friends. May their souls rest in peace. They shall all be sorely missed but their legacy will still enrich the club and future members in years to come.
Due to Covid-19 there will be no merit awards this year. The long-standing awards will be published in the newsletter. The trophies for long-standing awards will also be available once we receive them from the engraver. This will also be communicated to the applicable members.
I wish every member of our club a blessed and joyful Festive Season with family and friends in 2020.
Stay safe until we meet again in 2021.
Charl Crouse
18 November 2020
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