Who: DHS Old Boys AC (‘Oldies’)

Where: Northwood Crusaders, Durban North, KZN

When: Wednesday 17:20: Club runs | Saturday 05:00: Long runs

Distances: Club runs 7-11km, long runs 15-34km, depending on season/training block

Leader: Jamie Wardell 084 405 0301

Membership: Amber Vogel 079 884 1006

Website: oldies.co.za

Instagram: @oldiesrunning

The Vibe
Durban High School Old Boys Athletic Club, or simply ‘Oldies’, as everyone calls it, celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. Oldies began when a group of DHS alumni realised they were all training together anyway, and decided to form their own club. Today, the core formula remains much the same: run together, then celebrate together; serious running and serious gees.

…the core formula remains much the same: run together, then celebrate together…

Well-known in the Durban running scene, Oldies sits comfortably in the space between a serious running club and a social community. On one hand, you have Comrades silver medallists and marathon PB chasers; on the other, those equally invested in the post-run beers, race banter and clubhouse socials. Sometimes these are the same people.

The club has a strong sense of tradition, without feeling stuck in the past. While the name suggests an old-school boys’ club, Oldies has evolved into a much broader running community, attracting younger runners and plenty of women into the mix.

What stands out is the sense that running here extends far beyond just the kilometres. Oldies sounds less like a club people simply run with, and more like a community people genuinely belong to.

Philosophy
‘You’ll never run alone.’ Running should feel communal – whether you’re chasing Comrades hardware or just looking for people to survive with, no one is left behind.

From the pack leader
“A running club you want to be a part of, for the extra feel-good factor – during and after your run.” – Jamie Wardell, Club Captain

Runs
The Wednesday club run is a mid-week social run over various routes, followed by what Oldies might argue is the most important part of the evening: beers on the veranda.

Saturday long runs vary depending on the stage of Comrades (or other event) training. The club provides seconding support throughout the route, with water, Energade and banana bread fully stocked – so no bottle-burying trauma required.

In the clubhouse
Unlike many social running crews operating out of coffee shops and parking lots, Oldies has a fully functioning clubhouse at Northwood Crusaders, and they make full use of it. Post-run beers happen on the veranda, races finish at the famous Oldies gazebo, and the calendar is packed with socials throughout the year. These include the annual prize-giving, Comrades prediction nights, the ‘Aches and Pains’ social, welcome braais for new members, and the highly anticipated Christmas Pub Run.

The club also hosts its own annual 10km race through Durban North, a notoriously hilly route that nobody realistically expects to PB on, which ironically makes it even more popular.

One of the club’s newest traditions is ringing the PB bell after races. Although Jamie was very clear that Strava PBs absolutely do not count, and attempting to ring the bell for one may result in a fine.

Members
Oldies currently has close to 300 active members, with runners spread across Durban, Cape Town, Johannesburg and even Australia. The club continues attracting a younger generation of runners, while maintaining the traditions and culture that built it over the past three decades.

READ MORE ON: Running clubs running crews