By Nangamso Mabindla
7 June 2006

FUN was the order of the day when scores of runners from all over Buffalo City took part in the annual Meeg Bank Fun Run at Gompo in East London on Saturday, 3 June.

Sporting running gear, Meeg Bank executive director Darwin Nkonki said the aim of the event was to promote running in under-developed areas. This event was exceptional as most fun runs in the city were targeted at suburban areas, he added. These included the Surfer's Marathon, the Daily Dispatch Fun Run and the Sunshine Coast Triathlon.

"We are a regional bank; that is why we want to contribute to development in our region," he said, while warming up to take part in the 5km event with the city's youngsters.

In addition to the adults' 10km run in Gompo, there are other events lined up in Transkei, in Mthatha and Engcobo.

"In Mthatha we have the most challenging of the lot – a 47km fun run," said Nkonki.

One of the spin-offs of these Meeg Bank-sponsored events was that participants could use them as preparation for bigger events like the Two Oceans and the Comrades Marathon.

Nkosi Nkulu from Border Athletics thanked the sponsors for their interests in developing the sport in the province. Border Athletics, together with two local clubs in Gompo and Buffalo Flats, organized the runners taking part.

"Since Meeg Bank aims at up-and-coming underprivileged athletes, we did our part by assisting the athletics clubs in the areas to spot talent in the areas," he said. "Our main aim is to assist those clubs in their quest to become more professional and organise their own future events."

Despite the cold weather, the run was very successful, Nkulu said. "I am sure if the weather had been better, 3 000 athletes would have taken part.

"I would also like to thank businesses like Meeg Bank that show interest in developing athletics in our townships," concluded Nkulu.