2013 Greatest Train Race

THE 27^TH ROTARY GREATEST TRAIN RACE.

DGE Annie Steijn with one of the prize winners

The annual Rotary Greatest Train race between eMalahleni (Witbank) and Middelburg took place on 24 August 2013. It was the 27^th running of this event which is annually organised by the Rotary Clubs of Middelburg, Middelburg Cycad and Witbank.

This year the road relay event drew nearly 22000 participants in all categories. This makes it the largest event of its kind in the country. There were more than 500 volunteer marshalls (including Rotarians from Pretoria West, Johannesburg New Dawn, White River and Bela Bela).

The Greatest Train Race Committee aims to raise more than the R1,2 million raised in 2012 for the benefit of a number of deserving projects in the community. These include:

·         Middelburg Care Village – A children’s Home which was established arising from the Train race in 2003, and where 107 children currently are being cared for;

·         The annual training camp of the SA reservist police service in Middelburg and Witbank

·         Homes for the aged in Hendrina, Middelburg and eMalahleni;

·         Vegetable garden projects at schools and old age homes

·         Educational programs

·         Wheelchairs for the needy

·         Holidays for underprivileged senior citizens to the SWEMB Rotary resort in Badplaas

·         Weekend away for underprivileged children to Loskopdam

The event is made possible by large sponsorships from Anglo American, Eskom and Glencore, as well as many smaller sponsorships and contributions from the community in time and money.

“We look forward to seeing an even better race in 2014”

22000 medals



Rotarian Drummond Hammond from Belka Bela Helping at the busses



PP Andre Brandmuller cajoling participants to make the bus on time