Bellville Athletics Club celebrates 60 years on track

The start of the 800m race at Parow stadium during Bellville Athletics Clubs 60th anniversary celebrations on Saturday.

Bellville Athletics Club celebrated its 60th birthday in style as it hosted athletes from across the city in a day filled with exercise, sweat and fun at Parow stadium on Saturday.

Event organiser, Rachelle La Grange said the success of the event was thanks to the local organising committee’s hard work.

“To be very honest, it was an enormous success. We didn’t expect as many people because of exams. But they came out in numbers. There were a few athletics celebrities in the crowd, there was a lot of talent on the track and on the field, and we saw great runs and good performances, which made the day a success,” she said.

La Grange said the event was also to create awareness about the club.

“It’s to basically get people to notice us. Over the years people thought Bellville AC had died down but we are alive and well.

“The aim was to generate awareness. Bellville is still alive and going forward. Hopefully next time we will have the same or more success but on our own track and field athletics stadium.

“For more information about us people can like our Facebook page or check our website,” said La Grange.

Club secretary Adri Jordaan said she has been taking part in athletics in the province for more than 25 years and has never seen a crowd turn-up the way it did on Saturday.

“I think it was a great success from the under-8s up until the seniors. It was quite a big organisation to get it all running smoothly. Athletes from as far as Wellington came down, some even flew down from Johannesburg. And we also saw a couple of disabled athletes.

“We have got big plans for the new year. Our main aim as one of the oldest clubs in the city is to get a track at our home,” she said.