One Club. One Journey. One Community.

About Whalers AC

Whalers Today

Who We Are

Whalers is a club for every runner and walker, from those taking their first steps to experienced marathon and ultra runners. Founded in Hermanus in 1996, we've grown into a diverse community brought together by a shared love of running, being active and supporting one another.

Whether the goal is to compete, to improve, or simply because life is better with a few kilometres and good company, there's a place for you at Whalers. We welcome people of all ages, abilities and ambitions.

Proudly running together in Hermanus since 1996, representing our town on roads and trails across South Africa and beyond. But while the races, medals and finish lines are part of our story, it is the friendships, support and sense of community that make us who we are.

One Club. One Journey. One Community.

Our Mission

To create an inclusive and supportive running community where runners and walkers of every ability can belong, improve and achieve their personal goals while sharing the journey with others.

Our Values

Community

We run together, support one another and celebrate each other's achievements.

Inclusion

Every pace has a place at Whalers.

Growth

Whether the goal is a first 5km or an ultra, we encourage every member to keep moving forward.

Camaraderie

The kilometres matter, but so do the friendships made along the way.

Pride

We are proud to represent Whalers AC and our home town of Hermanus.

Committee

Whalers AC Committee
  • Ryno NothnagelClub Captain
  • Mariska ErasmusRace Coordinator
  • Arina FyferClub Chairman
  • Meagan RobertsClub Secretary
  • Hennie BesterTreasurer

Our History

Whalers Since 1996

  1. 1996

    The Founding

    In September 1996 the Hermanus Times announced a new athletics club for the town: Whalers Runners. A committee was formed and everyone was welcome to join.

    Newspaper clipping announcing the new Whalers athletics club in Hermanus
    Hermanus Times, 23 Sept 1996: the club is announced
  2. 2004 – 2006

    The Early Years

    Hermanus Whalers vests, Old Mutual bibs and the Onrus and Danger Point races. The club's first runners of the year were crowned, and Two Oceans became a regular target.

    Three Whalers women smiling after the Onrus 10km
    Onrus 10km, Dec 2004
    Newspaper clipping naming the Whalers runners of the year for 2004
    Runners of the year, 2004
    Whalers gathered before the Two Oceans marathon
    Ready for Two Oceans, Mar 2005
    Two Whalers members at the Danger Point 10km
    Danger Point 10km, Jan 2006
  3. 2007 – 2009

    Winning Teams

    Team wins at the Big Blue Festival, a new sponsor for the Onrus 10km and a Whalers gazebo at every race.

    Whalers men's team holding their prize at the Big Blue Festival
    Winning men's team, Big Blue Festival, Jan 2007
    Whalers ladies' team with their cheque at the Big Blue Festival
    Winning ladies' team, Jan 2007
    Whalers Athletic Club tent at the Danger Point race
    Danger Point race, Dec 2007
    Cheque handover for the Onrus 10km sponsorship
    Gateway Superspar sponsors the Onrus 10km, Dec 2008
  4. 2010 – 2014

    Milestones & Masters

    A new committee, a 56km Two Oceans finish, luminous green training tops and masters athletes collecting medals at provincial championships.

    Whalers committee members in 2010
    Committee members, 2010
    Newspaper clipping of two Whalers finishing the 56km
    Two Oceans 56km, 2010
    Whalers on their weekly training run in luminous green tops
    New training tops, Dec 2012
    Whalers masters athletes with their medals
    Western Province Championships, Mar 2013
  5. 2017 – 2020

    Time Trials & Community

    Thursday time trials became the heartbeat of the club: birthdays celebrated on the road, half marathons on the calendar, and new faces at the start line.

    Whalers members walking a time trial with Willie Loedolff
    Willie Loedolff's 90th birthday walk, Nov 2017
    Whalers members resting after the Danger Point race
    Danger Point, Gansbaai, Oct 2017
    Whalers group photo at the Herfsprag half marathon
    Herfsprag half marathon, De Doorns, May 2018
    Whalers members after a time trial in Hermanus
    First time trial for new faces, Jan 2020
  6. 2020 – 2022

    Lockdown to Comrades

    When races stopped, fifty Whalers took on the Overberg's first Lockdown Loops. By 2022 the club was back at the biggest stage of all, the 95th Comrades Marathon.

    Collage of Whalers taking part in the Lockdown Loops challenge
    Lockdown Loops challenge, 2020
    Whalers Comrades finishers with their medals
    Whale of a time at the Comrades, Sept 2022