The LIV2Run team, based at LIV Durban, was founded in 2018 by former provincial runner Lindi Meyer with a mission to change lives by unlocking talent through running and providing young athletes with hope and access to opportunity. What started as informal evening jogs has blossomed into a fully-fledged running team, creating meaningful impact through coaching, life skills training, and national competitions.
Meyer said: “Today, LIV2Run is a fully-fledged running team, creating meaningful impact through coaching, life skills training and national competitions. What started out as a few fun runs has blossomed into an environment where trail runners are being developed to compete in one of the world’s fastest growing sports.”
Backed by RMB and the FirstRand Foundation, LIV2Run aims to develop young athletes and coaches. The team has transcended its original intention and now produces athletes who can challenge for top honours in major races. LIV2Run has fielded a team for one of South Africa’s most iconic and toughest trail running races, the RMB Ultra-Trail Drakensberg.
Meyer added: “There are children here growing up in an environment with very few opportunities. But when they come to LIV2Run, they gain access to opportunities and exposure that allows them to dream big and work towards a better future.”
The LIV2Run team boasts a growing list of developing athletes, including trail stars like Tsielo Tsanyane and Sinovuyo Ngcobo. Tsanyane joined in 2023 and has quickly risen through the trail running ranks, claiming podiums and top finishes at major events. Ngcobo, the first member of LIV2Run, rediscovered his passion for running through the club and is now racing and mentoring the next generation.
Ngcobo said: “When I was growing up, I had a passion for running, but it felt like there was no way forward. Now, I coach others and show them what’s possible. I’m proud to pass on the knowledge I never had at their age.”
One of Ngcobo’s athletes, 19-year-old Mthobisi Ntanzi, is emerging as a future trail star. Nolwazi Dlamini, the first female athlete and coach-in-training, has been invited to join the senior team and will make her RMB UTD debut.
Michael Edwards, Sponsorships Marketing Lead, said: “Trail running is all about technical skill and endurance. It is as much a mental game as it is a physical game. More than simply running, however, the sport enables us to make a meaningful and lasting impact in the environments and communities in which we tread.”
Meyer concluded: “The club is more than just a running team. It’s a platform for personal growth, education and transformation. Runners who work through the programme are also trained to be coaches, allowing them to give youngsters the opportunities they missed out on. If you don’t see something, you can’t dream about it. What these runners and now coaches are doing is showing young people what’s possible. We believe that in order to inspire others, you must be inspired.”
