Quarterly milestones from our Team Vitality Club Manager

"I never imagined that being Team Vitality Club Manager at a time when we could not host live events would still be so incredibly busy!" says Khethiwe. "But it has been absolutely rewarding because our community is so dedicated to painting running and cycling events in orange - even if they are doing so from home."

On the days and nights when she's planning exciting virtual events, Khethiwe says what motivates her is stories from Team Vitality members. "People are so passionate," she explains. "We've been overwhelmed with requests from people wanting to be Team Vitality Champions. One member nominated her friend, an amateur athlete who swims, cycles and runs marathons with a dedicated training partner - her guide dog. That, to me, is true dedication to the team."

Reaping the rewards

"My main goal is to encourage people to sign up for Team Vitality," says Khethiwe. "It's been rewarding to challenge myself and Team Vitality to adapt to a new reality. A sense of community and team spirit are always at the centre of what we do, and I believe this has come through in the virtual hospitality we've been able to offer."

She adds: "The best part of my role is juggling all the many elements that make up Team Vitality - the kit, the events, nominations for champions, and keeping people engaged on Strava."

Khethiwe says she has her son to thank for her new-found enthusiasm for digitisation. "He's huge a PlayStation fan!" she laughs. "When I discovered Zwift, the cycling app which gives you an avatar and mimics routes in the real world, he struggled to get me off my bike! It was such a treat to cycle in London and Paris, virtually."

She's also embraced technology which allows her to schedule challenges at the beginning of the week, hold running and cycling events for amateurs and experts, and send motivational posts and "Wellness Wednesday" tips.

Lots more to come - in person and virtually

Khethiwe adds that, although everyone is keen to get back to destination events, Team Vitality members have enjoyed their virtual experience and hospitality packages - including Woolworths vouchers and receiving virtual medals for their achievements.

"We never expected virtual events to be the way of life for so long," she says, "but our experience has shown us this is something we can all get used to doing, safely."

There are other benefits to running virtual events through Team Vitality, Khethiwe notes. "For instance, more people - both experts and amateurs - can run with Bruce Fordyce or cycle with Nic White, virtually. If we hold these events in person, we have to limit them to fewer people," she explains. "Weekly events on the Strava Team Vitality running and cycling community groups are very popular - and, they're free!"

Khethiwe says it's encouraging to see new members joining the team all the time. "Our fitness culture is all about companionship, community and belonging," she says. "We will create a 'sea of orange' when we are together again - and the more of us there are, the bigger it will be! In the meantime, stay up to date and chat to me on the Strava Team Vitality running and cycling communities."

Show us what you've got and earn those challenge badges!

Look out for upcoming Team Vitality running and cycling challenges. Sign up and complete each event and you could be zooming away with a unique Team Vitality challenge badge, Vitality points and a discounted Team Vitality training kit. The best part? You can show the world what you're made of by having your badge printed on your kit - you've earned it!