Members of the Woodview Athletic Club celebrate turning forty years old with a Colour Run during the recent Holi Festival.
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Established in 1986, Woodview Athletic Club turned forty recently. It is one of the oldest athletic clubs on the African continent, and it happens to be based in Phoenix, providing a platform for runners of all abilities from beginners to Comrades Marathon veterans.
The club celebrated its milestone with an inaugural Holi Festival Run at the Shiposethu School Grounds in Mount Edgecombe. The club caters for cross‑country, short distance, marathon and ultra‑marathon road running, as well as walking.
Woodview was the vision of three passionate individuals, Siva Naidoo, Clifford Joseph and Solly Singh. These founding members believed in a simple yet powerful purpose: to make road running accessible to the people of Phoenix and its surrounding communities, and to inspire a culture of healthy living through sport.
Recalling the first race hosted by the club, Naidoo said, “It was a 5km Fun Run held at the Templewood Grounds in Woodview. We attracted 45 participants but the feeling and excitement was like we were hosting a marathon. We had no prize money, but lots of lucky dip prizes. With the experience gained we moved to Cornubia Grounds in Mount Edgecombe. We held many races at this venue. Running through the cane fields and alongside the golf course brought a different type of enjoyment to running.”
“Road running has become a part of our lives. In the process we have met many people and shared lots of laughter and endured lots of pain in achieving our goals. To wake up at odd hours of the morning and to get to a race and the hours of daily training calls for a lot of discipline. We runners are a crazy bunch. After all these years, most of who started 40 years ago are still running, because we enjoy it and it keeps us healthy,” said Naidoo.
At the time, organised road running was still finding its footing in many communities along the North Coast. What began as a small initiative slowly gathered momentum as more individuals discovered the joy and discipline that running could bring. The founders could scarcely have imagined that their modest dream would grow into one of the most recognised and respected athletic clubs in the South African road running community.
The strong foundations laid by the founders began to take shape when early members Ashok Ramraj, the late Rajesh Rajkumar, Dash Doolabh and Prashen Ramjee joined, contributing significantly to shaping the club’s early identity.
“Their enthusiasm, commitment and willingness to give of their time created a culture that has endured for nearly four decades. It is this spirit of collective effort that remains the hallmark of Woodview Athletic Club,” said 2023‑2025 chairperson Sally Govender.
However, Govender says the journey has not always been without challenges. “Over the past forty years the club, like many organisations, has navigated shifting lifestyles, difficult economic climates, unpredictable weather patterns and even the disruptions brought about by epidemics and pandemics. Yet despite these hurdles, the club has endured and continued to flourish. Its resilience is a testament to the dedication of its members, management teams, sponsors and well‑wishers who have all played a role in sustaining the organisation.”
Blast from the past - members of the Woodview Athletic Club running through the sugarcane fields of Cornubia in the early 1990s.
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One of the most inspiring aspects of the club’s history lies in its humble traditions. Weekly 5km time trials, now a staple activity, began almost four decades ago with only four runners meeting on a Wednesday afternoon. Those early runs were simple gatherings – no fanfare, no crowds – just a few individuals sharing a passion for running. Today those time trials have grown into well‑supported events that welcome both club members and social runners alike, creating a space where seasoned athletes and beginners run side by side.
On Saturday mornings it is not unusual to see close to one hundred participants gathering for the 5km time trial and social fun run. The atmosphere is always encouraging, often punctuated by laughter, friendly competition and the unmistakable sense of community that defines the club.
From those early gatherings have emerged remarkable achievements. Since its inception, the weekly 5km time trial has helped produce more than sixty Comrades Marathon runners. “For many of these athletes, their journey began with a simple first run alongside supportive club members who believed in their potential,” said Govender.
Female athletes have also played an instrumental role. At a time when women were not commonly seen participating in marathons and ultra‑distance races, two young ladies stepped forward with courage and determination. In 1991, Nelly Maharaj and Sharon joined the club.
“They laced up their takkies, donned their running gear, and never looked back. Completing marathons, ultra‑marathons and the prestigious Comrades Marathon became their way of proving their tenacity, determination and grit. What started with just two pioneers soon inspired many others. In later years they were joined by a host of many more determined women who went on to make their mark in the running field,” said Govender.
“What makes their achievements even more remarkable is how they balanced their athletic pursuits with everyday responsibilities. After long days at work, they would return home, see to their families and household duties, and then head out late in the evenings to train. Their dedication and perseverance truly set them apart.”
The minimum number of Comrades finishes among these remarkable ladies is ten, highlighting years of commitment to the sport. Today, Woodview Athletic Club proudly continues this tradition with dedicated members such as Roshni Pillay, who is currently preparing for her 12th Comrades Marathon.
Looking forward to the next milestone, current chairperson Jay Behari said his vision is to strengthen and grow the club into a well‑organised and high‑performing club.
“My aim is to improve member participation, and build a culture of consistency, discipline and mutual support. We aim to create a welcoming and inclusive community where beginners feel encouraged, experienced runners feel challenged and everyone feels supported. To inspire and mentor young runners to develop discipline and confidence.”
Ultimately, Woodview Athletic Club is more than “just a place to run”. It is an athletics club that strives to uplift the community while it empowers athletes and grows together.