Bonitas Medical Fund is on a mission. It’s to inspire and motivate more South Africans to get fitter and healthier. And it’s an ambitious plan that is sorely needed in a country that has become one of the fattest in the world.

Westernisation and urbanisation over the last few decades have resulted in a more sedentary lifestyle, which has a serious downside: 61% of South Africans are today classed as overweight, obese and morbidly obese. Over 70% of South Africans have never gone on a diet or tried to cut down on their food intake. And 49% never do any exercise whatsoever. Needless to say, this puts a large proportion of our population at risk of falling prey to a raft of life-threatening chronic diseases.

So promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle to the masses now has a real sense of urgency. And as the country’s second largest open medical aid, caring for nearly 650 000 beneficiaries, Bonitas is well placed to take on this crusade.

“We’re not into gyms,” says acting CEO of Bonitas Marketing, Peta Smuts. “Our membership base resembles the demographics of South Africa far more than any other medical scheme, so we want to actively promote sports that are accessible to the vast majority of South Africans. This is why we’re big into road running,” she adds.

And big they are, too. For the last four years, Bonitas has been one of the leading sponsors of the Comrades Marathon. It also supports its own road running team of professionals: The Bonitas Elite Team. Coached and managed by three-time Comrades gold medallist, Joseph Ikaneng.

This talented group of men and women have already made their mark in some of the most high profile ultra-distance races in southern Africa. And amongst them is that rare breed of athletes who have achieved two hour, ten minute marathons.

Part of the Bonitas Elite Team is Farwa Mentoor who came fifth in the woman’s category of the 2011 Comrades Marathon and was the first South African woman to cross the finish line.

“When we were approached about getting involved with the City2City Marathon, we jumped at it,” says Peta. “This is a wonderful opportunity to help local runners. But more than that, it’s also to build the Bonitas City2City into a premier event like the Comrades and the Two Oceans. It’s about time the Highveld had its own world-class road race.

“What we also love about the Bonitas City2City is that it really is three races in one. We have the excitement and drama of an ultra-marathon being run by top class athletes from here and abroad. Then we have the 21 kilometre half marathon, also for serious runners. And, of course, we have the 10 kilometre road race that will have such a strong family fun element to it,” adds Peta.

“One of the great aspects of the Comrades is that it enjoys such support from the local people in KZN. The excitement is palpable as tens of thousands of people line the course to cheer the runners. This is the kind of potential we believe this event has. We want to be part of building the Bonitas City2City into a world-class marathon that is going to enjoy a groundswell of support from people in Pretoria and Johannesburg.”

Peta was also very excited about the logistics and operational elements of the race. “This is a superbly well-organised event and Nick Bester and his team at Premier Sports Management are so passionate about re-establishing this race as one of the premier road running events on the national calendar.”

And does the Bonitas City2City meet the brief of promoting fitness and a healthy lifestyle to the majority of South Africans?

“Absolutely,” exclaims Peta. “This race has both a rich heritage and a very positive future. And as far as we’re concerned it hits all the right buttons. We are really delighted and proud to be involved with the Bonitas City2City. We’re in it for the long run”.