Lace up your sneakers; a new running club has taken root on the South Coast: Ramsgate Shufflers Athletic Club.

Established on September 10 this year, the founding members are Michael Forshaw, Victoria Forshaw, Denise Loots and Deon Loots.

With experience dating back to the mid-1970s, they have served on athletic committees, organised sports events, and participated in walking, track, cross country, trail and road running, and ultra running in over 2000 events, from six-day stages to 400m events, with many podium finishes included.

Victoria Forshaw is an Olympic-qualified/fitness instructor and provincial coach.

The club’s mission is to assist everyone, from those who aspire to run/walk to seasoned runners/walkers, from toddlers to veterans.

“Our motto is: if you can shuffle, you can achieve your dreams. At present, we are a social club and have applied to the KwaZulu-Natal Athletics Association for affiliation, which will allow members to obtain an official licence number to participate in Athletics South Africa-affiliated races without having to purchase temporary licences,” said Michael Forshaw.

The club’s first event will take place on December 20, with a 2km, 4km and 8km fun walk/run. The event will be held at the Ramsgate Lions Club and is sponsored by Stia Financial Services.

“We encourage the not-so-fit to the fittest to come out and do the Ramsgate Shuffle, slow or fast, all at their own pace and goals. Our second event will be during the school holidays in March 2027. It will cater for social runners, speed freaks and Comrades runners preparing for the challenge. This promises to be a first-of-its-kind in South Africa. Watch this space as we start counting down,” said Michael.

For more information, follow Ramsgate Shufflers on Facebook and Instagram.

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