Former Comrades Marathon champion, Ann Ashworth is using her passion for running to improve women’s participation in the sport, particularly in ultra-distances as she has joined KwaZulu-Natal athletics club, Phantane.
We are so delighted to welcome @ComradesRace winner @ultraashworth & @AthleteAshworth to our team! We look forward to much success together @TotalsportsSA
@UmgeniWater #blacktreepropertygroup#ayisheleyompahla 🔥🔥🔥 pic.twitter.com/ByEdacIixy— Phantaneac (@Phantane1) May 8, 2021
Ashworth and her husband, David, have partnered with the club’s manager and coach, Mdu Khumalo, to develop future athletics stars.
“Development of the sport has always been important to me and raising funds for women’s running is a critical issue that we have to work hard on to make this move to Phantane work,” revealed Ashworth in a post shared on news24.com
Khumalo, who is focused on developing young athletes from Ndwedwe, admits that he will be leaving Ashworth to deal with the challenge of women’s sport advocacy, development and skills enhancement because of her extensive knowledge and experience in the sport.
At community level, there are many obstacles that are faced by black women who would like to pursue the sport which include safety, lack of running time for single parents, limited funding, lack of female running managers and coaches as well as men who see an opportunity to use these disadvantages to prey on these women for their own personal gain.
Ashworth is determined to make a positive change in the lives of the young women by creating a safe environment to enhance their growth in the sport.
Her primary goal for the club this year is to have 25 female runners who will have signed up for ultra-distance running and over time introduce a variety of running disciplines for both females and males in the club.
The newly joined women of the club will run their first long distance race in their Phantane colours at the Cape Town Marathon which will take place in October.
Photo 1 Caption: Former Comrades Marathon champion, Ann Ashworth is using her passion for running to improve women’s participation in the sport, particularly in ultra-distances as she has formed a new running club, Phantane, that will be based in KwaZulu-Natal and Gauteng. Photo: Phantaneac (Twitter)
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