Hollywood AC

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More Than a Club: How Hollywood Athletics Club Became a Powerhouse of South African Road Running

In just a decade, Hollywood Athletics Club has grown from an ambitious new running club into one of South Africa's largest and fastest-growing athletics communities. Along the way, it has developed a reputation not only for attracting thousands of runners but also for raising the standard of road running events through its Hollywoodbets Durban 10km and Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km races.

For Hollywood Athletics Club Manager Brett Goodwin, however, the club's success has never been measured purely by membership numbers or race entries.

"We are more than just a running club," he explains. "We are a community that welcomes everyone, from first-time runners to world-class elites."

That philosophy has become the foundation of everything the club does. Rather than simply building a larger membership base, Hollywood Athletics Club has focused on creating an environment where runners feel supported, celebrated and inspired to achieve their personal goals. The result is a community where accessibility, enjoyment and achievement are equally important, regardless of whether someone is tackling their first 5km or chasing international honours.

The club's rapid growth reflects that approach. Goodwin believes the secret has been putting members at the centre of every decision.

"We have focused on building a community rather than simply increasing membership numbers," he says. "We recognise member achievements, create opportunities for runners to connect and continuously look for ways to improve their experience."

RAISING THE STANDARD OF ROAD RUNNING

Hollywood Athletics Club's ambitions extend well beyond weekly training runs. Over the past few years, the organisation has become increasingly recognised for hosting some of South Africa's premier road running events.

The vision behind launching its annual 10km races was simple: create events that runners genuinely look forward to participating in.

"We saw an opportunity to raise the bar of road running by delivering an event that combines elite competition with an unforgettable experience for social runners," says Goodwin.

The 10km distance remains central to that vision because of its broad appeal. It attracts beginners looking for their first challenge, experienced runners chasing personal bests and elite athletes competing at the highest level.

While many runners wonder whether the club may eventually expand into half marathons or even marathons, Goodwin says the current focus remains firmly on perfecting what they already offer.

"We're always exploring opportunities for growth, but our priority is continually improving the races we already host and ensuring they are among the best 10km events in South Africa."

GROWING A NATIONAL FOOTPRINT

Currently, Hollywood Athletics Club hosts flagship races in Durban and Johannesburg, but its ambitions extend well beyond those two cities.

"Our ambition is to continue growing our national footprint," says Goodwin. "Durban and Johannesburg have given us a solid foundation, and we've been incredibly encouraged by the response from runners in both cities."

Future expansion will be carefully considered rather than rushed.

"We're always looking for opportunities in other regions where we believe we can deliver the same high-quality race experience. Our priority is sustainable growth, ensuring that every event maintains the standards runners have come to expect from the Hollywoodbets DBN and JHB 10km."

CREATING A COMPLETE RACE EXPERIENCE

One feature that distinguishes the Hollywoodbets 10km races is the inclusion of sponsored professional race-day photographs—a benefit still relatively uncommon in South African road running.

For Goodwin, those images represent much more than a finishing-line souvenir.

"Running is about creating memories as much as it is about crossing the finish line," he says. "Professional race-day photographs allow participants to relive those special moments and celebrate their achievements with family and friends."

It's another example of the club's commitment to enhancing the overall participant experience and ensuring every runner feels part of something memorable.

A FORCE AT COMRADES

No discussion about South African running is complete without mentioning the Comrades Marathon, and Hollywood Athletics Club continues to make its mark on the Ultimate Human Race.

The 2026 edition was another landmark year for the club, with an extraordinary 1,417 members successfully completing the race—a statistic that underlines both the size and strength of the Hollywood Athletics Club community.

Its elite athletes also delivered exceptional performances. Gerda Steyn claimed victory in the women's race with a record-breaking up-run time of 5:44:53, while Irvette van Zyl finished third. Courtney Olsen secured seventh place and Carla Molinaro rounded out an impressive showing with tenth.

Those performances highlight the club's unique ability to support both elite athletes competing for podium finishes and thousands of recreational runners pursuing personal dreams.

DURBAN’S FLAGSHIP CELEBRATION

The Hollywoodbets Durban 10km, taking place on 30 August, has become one of the club's signature events.

"The Hollywoodbets Durban 10km represents everything we stand for as a club," says Goodwin. "It's an opportunity to showcase world-class racing while bringing thousands of runners together to celebrate the sport."

Beyond race day itself, the event delivers significant benefits to Durban by attracting visitors, supporting tourism and providing a stage where elite athletes and recreational runners share the same roads and the same atmosphere.

The 2026 edition is expected to attract around 15 000 runners, with its popularity driven by a combination of a fast and scenic route, a world-class elite field, excellent event delivery and a vibrant atmosphere created by supporters and entertainment along the course.

JOHANNESBURG CONTINUES TO GROW

Attention then shifts to Gauteng on 18 October, when the Hollywoodbets Joburg 10km takes centre stage.

This year's event introduces an exciting new venue at Nasrec, where runners can expect another professionally organised race featuring elite competition, quality entertainment and a lively atmosphere from start to finish.

Whether participants are chasing a personal best, preparing for a bigger goal or simply looking for an enjoyable day among fellow runners, Goodwin believes the race has rapidly established itself as one of Johannesburg's must-run events.

Around 10 000 runners are expected to line up for this year's edition.

BEHIND THE SCENES

Delivering events of this scale requires a collaborative effort.

Hollywood Athletics Club oversees strategy, planning, marketing, communications and the overall participant experience through its experienced internal team, while partnering with specialist providers responsible for technical race operations, timing, logistics, medical services and route management.

By combining in-house expertise with trusted event professionals, the club ensures every race consistently meets the high standards participants have come to expect.

“A major milestone for us this year is that we have added our own race registration platform through BET Software, an IT division under the Hollywood Group,” said Goodwin.

LOOKING AHEAD

This year marks a significant milestone as Hollywood Athletics Club celebrates its tenth anniversary.

For Goodwin, however, the first decade is only the beginning.

"The past decade has been about building one of Mzansi's most vibrant running communities," he says.

Looking ahead, the club intends to continue growing participation in road running, nurture the next generation of elite athletes, expand its national race portfolio and create even greater value for members.

Equally important is making a lasting contribution to the communities where the club operates through initiatives that promote health, wellness and social upliftment.

Ultimately, Goodwin hopes Hollywood Athletics Club will become recognised not only as South Africa's fastest-growing running club, but as one of the country's most influential contributors to the future of athletics.

Judging by the club's remarkable progress over its first 10 years, that ambition appears well within reach.

To find out more about Hollywood Athletics Club, visit the club’s website here. https://www.hollywoodathleticsclub.co.za