About Us

Our Story

How did we get here?

A Movement Born to Change Lives

Adventist Athletics Club — Our Journey
2012 | The Beginning
Adventist Athletics Club (AAC) was founded in Gauteng, South Africa, by a group of passionate Seventh-day Adventists who believed athletics could be more than medals, times and personal achievements. Their vision was simple but powerful: use sport as a platform for health, fellowship, service and evangelism.

From this vision came the motto:
FITNESS FOR WITNESSING
The club established four foundational pillars that continue to guide AAC today:
Health & Fitness, Evangelism & Outreach, Fellowship and Excellence

2014 | The Vision Spreads
The movement began expanding beyond Gauteng. New branches were established in:
Western Cape, Border Region and Mozambique — Maputo & Matola


2016 | Becoming a Regional Movement
By 2016, AAC had developed into a growing regional movement.
New branches were established in:
Lesotho (becoming AAC’s second international branch), KwaZulu-Natal, Mthatha and Bloemfontein. Mthatha would later form part of the Adventist Athletics Transkei Region, together with Butterworth. Across the growing network, training sessions became friendships, friendships became families, and families became communities.

2017 | AAC Crosses into Zimbabwe
May 2017 marked a major milestone as AAC crossed another national border with the launch of the Harare Branch in Zimbabwe. Harare quickly became an example of the AAC mission in action, combining fun runs, health expos, community outreach, literature distribution, church partnerships and hosting athletics events. AAC had officially become an international athletics movement.

2018–2025 | Building Communities Across Southern Africa
AAC continued its steady expansion across Southern Africa. New branches and communities emerged in places including Eastern Province — Gqeberha, Kimberley, North West (Rustenburg and Hammanskraal) and Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Runners in other Southern African countries also began identifying with the AAC movement, laying the foundations for future expansion. During this period, AAC athletes increasingly became known not only for their performances, but also as ambassadors for healthy living, Christian values, service and community development.

2018–2025 | Four Pillars in Action
Health & Fitness
AAC has encouraged healthier communities through training, health education, wellness campaigns and fitness initiatives aimed at promoting active lifestyles and preventing lifestyle-related diseases. Through Evangelism & Outreach, sport has become a vehicle for ministry and outreach. To date, AAC has distributed more than 7,000 pieces of literature at races, expos, schools and community events across Southern Africa.
For many people, their first encounter with the Adventist message came through an AAC athlete or outreach initiative. The club’s running vest carries a special message on the back MARANATHA.
Through the pillar of Fellowship, AAC branches became more than training groups. They became families. Members celebrate victories together, support one another through challenges, mentor young athletes, encourage beginners and develop friendships that extend far beyond training and race day. Through Excellence, AAC has continued to develop athletes capable of competing at high levels. Some members have achieved podium finishes at local, national and international events, while several elite athletes have pursued professional athletics careers, proudly representing AAC wherever they compete.

2026 | A New Chapter
The journey continued into 2026 with two significant milestones.
Bulawayo, Zimbabwe officially became home to a new AAC branch, extending the movement into the historic City of Kings and Queens. AAC also officially expanded into Botswana, strengthening its presence across Southern Africa. Every new branch represents more than another location on a map. It represents:
Another community inspired. Another family formed. Another opportunity to serve. Another life transformed.

A Legacy Beyond Medals
AAC measures success by more than trophies, podiums and finishing times.
Our greatest achievements are found in transformed lives, healthier communities, stronger families and people discovering purpose through sport.
Every training run can become an opportunity to mentor.
Every race can become an opportunity to encourage .
Every kilometre can become an opportunity to serve.
Every finish line can become a new starting point for ministry.
And every runner can become a witness.

Looking Beyond Africa
Although AAC’s roots are firmly planted in Southern Africa, the vision is global. Plans are underway to establish Adventist Athletics Club branches in Zambia • USA • Philippines • Australia • Uganda • Dubai (UAE) • United Kingdom • Kenya • Namibia • Eswatini
In several of these countries, runners are already wearing the AAC colours and helping lay the foundations for future branches. The movement continues to grow one runner, one community and one country at a time.

Our Story Continues
From a handful of runners in Gauteng in 2012 to a growing international movement across South Africa, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, Mozambique, Botswana and beyond, Adventist Athletics Club continues to demonstrate the transformative power of sport.
Every step promotes healthier communities. Every kilometre strengthens friendships.
Every race creates an opportunity to serve. Every outreach programme shares hope. Every new branch writes another chapter.
Whether you are an elite athlete, recreational runner, walker, cyclist, swimmer, hiker—or simply taking your first step towards a healthier lifestyle there is a place for you in the AAC family.
Join Adventist Athletics Club. Run with purpose. Live with purpose. Witness through purpose.
FITNESS FOR WITNESSING