​Nurgalieva twins take on Comrades in Team Vitality colours

Discovery and Team Vitality are excited to announce that renowned Russian running sisters – Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva who have dominated the Comrades Marathon leader board over the past few years – will be running the Ultimate Human Race for Team Vitality this year.

“We are proud to be sponsoring these two incredible international athletes for the 2015 Comrades Marathon,” says Head of Vitality Wellness, Dr Craig Nossel. “It’s great to be able to bring their wealth of knowledge and experience to our Team Vitality members and we’re pleased to be able to offer our members the opportunity to personally meet these running icons ahead of the Comrades Marathon at the end of May.”

The Nurgalieva twins, running in Team Vitality kit, will be welcomed to the Comrades Marathon by Team Vitality ambassador Bruce Fordyce who is no stranger to this race event, having won it nine times previously.

Speaking about his ambassadorship with Team Vitality, Bruce Fordyce stresses the importance of making running and cycling more accessible to people in South Africa. “Team Vitality is more than just a running or cycling club, it’s an initiative to help get people active. It’s about encouraging people to get off the couch and into the race,” says Fordyce, who spearheaded the parkrun movement in South Africa. “This is why it’s so important – it helps people see that you can do it, whoever you are, as long as you take that crucial first step.”

Dr Craig Nossel adds: “The rapid rise in diseases of lifestyle linked to obesity and physical inactivity is a major health concern both globally and here in South Africa. Research done by Discovery Vitality, the Vitality Fittest City Index, emphasises how important it is to create supportive environments to improve the health and physical activity profile of our population. We’d like Team Vitality to act as motivation to encourage people to find opportunities to get active.”

Discovery Vitality’s relationship with celebrity athletic figureheads like the Nurgalieva twins, Elana Meyer and Bruce Fordyce means that members have the opportunity to interact and learn from these athletes. “Through our collaboration with these well-known sportspeople we are able to offer our members direct access to tried-and-tested health and fitness tips, pre-race training guidance, and post-race recovery advice – plus the added inspiration associated with this calibre of athlete.”

“Our partnership with these running legends cements Team Vitality’s role as a club for both novice athletes as well as of elites with an extraordinary level of talent,” adds Dr Nossel. “Our new running and cycling club is open to all Discovery Vitality members; from the professional level to beginners. Whether you are looking to complete your first 5km fun run or want to start training for your first ultramarathon, Team Vitality can help you to achieve your fitness goals.”

Discovery and Team Vitality will be hosting a press conference and question-and-answer session with Olesya and Elena Nurgalieva in the lead up to their 11^th and 13^th appearance respectively at the Comrades Marathon. This press briefing will take place on 29 May 2015 at Prime Human Performance Institute, Moses Mabhida Stadium, 44 Isaiah Ntshangase Road in Durban from 14:00 to 15:00 and is open to all Team Vitality members.

Keep an eye on the new Team Vitality Twitter account @TeamVitalitySA for the latest news and updates from the world of Team Vitality. 

For media related queries and more information about the press conference on the 29 May 2015, please contact:

Taryn Kerr

Reputation Management Consultant

Email: Tarynke@discovery.co.za

Office: 011 529 2204

Mobile: 082 780 9185