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Profile of the Soweto 10 km run

Three Weeks Left for 2016 Comrades Marathon Entries

Modern AthleteColumnsLeave a Comment on Three Weeks Left for 2016 Comrades Marathon Entries

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has announced that entries for the 2016 Comrades Marathon will close within three weeks or as soon as the cap of 20 000 entries has been reached.

There are currently just over 5 000 entries available. Next year’s field includes nearly 13 500 South African athletes, about 200 Rest of Africa runners and almost 900 International entrants from more than 60 countries. CMA Race Director, Rowyn James has urged all runners who have not entered as yet to get their entry in before the entry process closes.

James says, ‘There is not much time left before the three-month long entry process closes. Our Board, Staff and Race Organising Committee are all hard at work to ensure that the 2016 Comrades Marathon is a wonderful experience for our runners.’

James adds, ‘Sunday, 29 May 2016 will be the 45th down-run in the history of the race and the 91st running of the world’s biggest and oldest ultra-marathon.’ The race alternates between an ‘up-run’ and a ‘down-run’ between the host cities of Pietermaritzburg and Durban every year.

The Comrades Marathon has earned its place in the Guinness World Records, in addition to winning other significant awards. It was recently shortlisted for the 2016 Discovery Sport Industry Awards in the categories; Sport Brand of the Year and Sport Participation Event of the Year, the winners of which will be announced in February next year.

Please visit www.comrades.com to enter the 2016 Comrades Marathon, view the rising entry barometer or obtain further information.

Profile of the Soweto Half Marathon

Feet Firmly on the Ground

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With a World Championship title to his name, Michael Lord has the triathlon world at his feet, but this well-grounded young man still has his sights firmly set on his studies and making sure he uses his time effectively in between all his sporting activities. – BY SEAN FALCONER

Maties first-year geology student Michael Lord went to Sardinia, Italy for the ITU Cross Triathlon World Champs at the end of September with a point to prove. Having finished second in the junior elite category at the previous World Champs in Zittau, Germany in 2014, the 19-year-old wanted to win the title in his last year as a junior, but he says he went into the event feeling relaxed. “I wasn’t nervous on race day, because you can only do as well as you can. Also, I had spent a week in Sardinia acclimatising and learning the course, so I knew all the lines and knew I could make up time on the bike, even against faster riders.”

Racing in good weather conditions, Michael came out of the 750m swim in fourth position, just a few seconds behind the leaders, and was first out of transition. On the 19km bike leg he soon began to open a gap on the chasing athletes, especially when the leading juniors caught up to the backmarkers in the elite women’s race – then Michael says his strategy was to put as many of the women as he could between him and the chasers. In the 6km run leg, he had a lead of a minute, which he maintained right to the end, although he gave up 40 seconds when he missed the entry into the finish straight and had to walk back to find it. Then, having claimed a World Champs title and celebrated standing on top of the podium, he hit the books again – because he had a big chemistry test the Monday evening after he got back to Stellenbosch!

“Man, that test was rough – I wrote for over two hours, and I think I did enough to pass. Studying while competing overseas is not easy, but I still managed to get some done while I was in Italy. I find the pure maths and physics the most challenging of my B.Sc Earth Sciences subjects, but I passed everything in the first semester, so I just want to pass everything in the second semester, because next year I won’t have either subject any more.”

The young man’s attraction to geology stems from his father, who also worked as a geologist. “He told me stories of travelling a lot thanks to work, which appeals to me, like taking various survey trips into African countries for weeks at a time, plus work opportunities in the field are generally good. However, with the Chinese economy currently down, geologists are suddenly struggling for work for the first time, since China buys much of South Africa’s mineral resources. Hopefully that will have changed by the time I start working, and that may also affect my decision which area to specialise in.”

Promising Young Years
Michael grew up in a sporty family based in Somerset West that used to regularly go for hikes and mountain bike rides together. He began doing triathlons and duathlons at the age of eight, and won his first SA Junior title at the age of nine. “I remember my first triathlon at the Coetzenberg Dam here in Stellenbosch, and I have been doing the sport ever since,” says Michael. “Back when I started the Western Province had a very strong group of juniors that were well looked after by Tony Bradford, and we used to dominate the podiums at SA Champs. I still love the sport and the lifestyle.”

In primary school Michael did cross-country and swimming, and then in high school at Paul Roos Gymnasium he played hockey and waterpolo, rode for the school’s talented mountain biking squad and sometimes did athletics – and sang in the choir – but triathlon remained his focus. Meanwhile, his younger sister Megan also got into triathlon, but is now focused on hockey, having made the Boland Schools’ team, and dad Kim’s provincial squash team won the 2015 SA Squash Champs title in the 40-44 age category, despite only having one player in that age bracket and all the others being much older – so Michael comes from talented sporting genes.

Preference for Trails
Having enjoyed much success as a junior in road tri’s, Michael says he much prefers the off-road events these days. “I find the road events a bit boring, especially the biking legs. Mountain biking is always more interesting, especially for that ‘X factor’ up in the mountains, and there are also far less spectators, so you have to motivate yourself. Besides the challenge, scenery and enjoyment, there is more of a mental aspect to it as well.”

Unsurprisingly, Michael says his favourite event on the calendar is the two-day Fedhealth XTERRA Grabouw, the off-road tri in February that not only serves as the SA XTERRA Champs, but also as the African qualifier for the Cross Tri World Champs. This year Michael won the XTERRA Lite overall for the third time on the Saturday, also taking the 15-19 age category as he crossed the line just over two minutes clear of the next athlete. Then the following day he also raced the XTERRA Full, this time going in the 20-24 category because there is no junior category for the longer event, and not only came home 14th overall in the men’s race, but also first in the 20-24 age category, although he almost didn’t finish the race…

“It was not an important race for me, as my focus had been on the Lite the previous day, and I actually only did the Full so that I could check out the mountain bike leg. So when I got a flat tyre near the end and had to run the last 2km pushing my bike, I was ready to call it a day, but when I got to transition they told me I was still right up with the top 10, so I decided to run,” says Michael. “Out of all the triathlons that I’ve taken part in over the past 11 years, the XTERRA Grabouw is the best route and the best organised triathlon by far, and we could easily hold the World Champs there. The run route is amazing – I was just smiling the whole race!”

Grounded Attitude
What is surprising is that Michael does not specifically want to pursue a professional career in triathlon, in spite of his long track record of success in the sport and his recent World Championship title. “I would like to travel and race on the international circuit for one year after varsity, to see how well I can do, but I’m not planning to go pro. To do that you have to find sponsors to pay for you. I’m very fortunate right now to be sponsored or supported by Jeep Team, Silverback Cycles, Torq Nutrition, XTERRA Wetsuits and Mason’s Bike Inn, and they’ve all been very good to me, but finding sponsors for a pro career is very hard.”

“Still, if somebody does offer to pay me to race, why not, I would consider it, knowing I have a decent degree to come back to afterwards – but I would have to find something to do at the same time, because you have so much free time. I can’t just lie around in between training sessions and races, I would need to run a business or do something to pay my way. That’s why it is working for me now while I study, because I train early in the morning, then go to class or study… although sometimes I am too tired to study. But I can’t just lie around.”

Racing Plans
With a number of years of university still ahead of him, Michael says he will continue racing triathlons and other multi-sport events, but from next year he will no longer be able to compete as a junior. “This was my last year in the under-19 category and next year I will be in the under-23s, but I am keen to see how I go in Grabouw, not just in my age category, but also against the elites. The nice thing for me is that while they’re always under pressure to perform, I won’t be, so I can just enjoy my race – and I will continue to give thanks to Our Lord for giving me this ability. One of the main benefits of this kind of exposure is being able to witness a bit.”

All Your November 2015 Races

Modern AthleteRacingLeave a Comment on All Your November 2015 Races

South African runners really are blessed with a terrific race calendar, with so many great races to do, so check out these events for the coming month, including road and trail runs as well as other running disciplines, and make your racing plans! – BY TOM COTTRELL AND SEAN FALCONER

GAUTENG: CENTRAL GAUTENG

Sunday 1 November
Old Mutual Soweto Marathon, 10km & 5km, NASREC, Rand Show & Nasrec Roads, Johannesburg, 6am, Central Gauteng Athletics 011 873 2726 (w)

Wednesday 4 November
Rowlin National Brokers Nite 15km, 10km & 5km, Benoni Northerns Sports Grounds, 1 Brodigan Street, Northmead, Benoni, 7pm, General Enquiries 083 573 1011

Saturday 7 November
Modern Athlete Hurlyvale Primary School Trail Run 10km, 5km & 2.5km – POSTPONED TO 2016

Sunday 8 November
TomTom 10km & Mile, Moses Molelekwa Arts Centre, cnr. Andrew Mapheto Drive and Star Street, Tembisa, 8am, Donald Mathipa 062 574 9415
Sportsmans Warehouse 10km & 5km, Princess Crossing Shopping Centre, Ontdekkers Road, Roodepoort, 7am, Charlie Herselman 082 770 1143

Wednesday 11 November
Jackal's Night Trail Run #7 8km & 4km, Jackal Creek Golf Estate, Boundary Road, Northriding, Johannesburg, 7:45pm, Race Organiser 011 053 9153 (w)

Sunday 15 November
Zoo Conservation Trot 10km & 5km, Centenary Lawn, Johannesburg Zoo, Parkview, 7:30am, Ionna Karamitsos 011 646 2000 (W)

Sunday 22 November
RAC City Lodge Tough One 32km & Asics Five, Old Parktonian Club, Jan Smuts Avenue, Craighall, 6am, Vreni Welch 011 442 8256 (W)

Sunday 29 November
Alberton Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Alberton Rugby Stadium, cnr. 2nd Avenue & Braun Avenue, Voerwoerdpark, 6am, Michael Kirby 074 159 3605
Zoo Conservation Trot 10km & 5km, Centenary Lawn, Johannesburg Zoo, Parkview, 7:30am, Ionna Karamitsos 011 646 2000 (W)

GAUTENG: GAUTENG NORTH

Saturday 7 November
Liquifruit Irene Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Agricultural Research Council, Olifantsfontein Road, Irene, 6am, Wynand Breytenbach 082 937 0733

Saturday 14 November
Kolonade Retail Park Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Kolonade Retail Park Shopping Centre, Zambezi Drive, Montana, Pretoria North, 6am, Alan Edmunds 083 325 7779

Saturday 21 November
Tom Jenkins Challenge Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Union Buildings, Pretoria, 6:30am, James Matshekga 082 566 1595

Saturday 28 November
Muller Potgieter 15km, 10km & 5km, Military Sports club, Hendrik Potgieter Road, Thaba Tshware, 6am, Race Organiser 071 405 5588
Ludwig's Run of the Roses 8km & 4km, Ludwig’s Rose Farm, Wallmannsthal, Pretoria North, 9am, Anna-Marie de Beer 082 954 9628

GAUTENG: VAAL TRIANGLE
No races scheduled for this period

WESTERN CAPE: BOLAND

Saturday 7 November
Timber City Orchard Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Pniel Dwarsivier Sport Complex, Main Road, Pniel, 6:45am, Ralph Jacobs 083 586 1168
Alpha Zero Tunnel Run 20.7km, Hugenote Tunnel Toll Plaza, near Paarl, 7:30am, Estelle Kock 073 313 1668

Sunday 8 November
Sportsmans Warehouse Scopio Trail Run 15km, 12.5km, 7.5km & 5km, Dirtopia Trail Centre, Delvera Farm, about 10km from Stellenbosch on R44 towrards Klapmuts, 8am, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (w)

Thursday 12 November
Lusan Night Run Series #1 10km & 5km, Uitkyk Wine Estate, About 10km from Stellenbosch on R44 to Klapmuts, 7pm & 7:15pm, Naomi Potgieter 083 267 8164

Saturday 14 November
Delheim Trail Run 12km & 7km, Delheim Wine Estate, off R44 about 10km from Stellenbosch towards Klapmuts, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (w) NEW DATE – WAS 21 NOVEMBER
TSiBA Trail Run Series #7 10km & 5km, Rhebokskloof Wine Estate, Windmeul, Agter Paarl, 7:30am, Japie Swanepoel 082 443 3033

Saturday 21 November
Baytown 12km & 6km, Miems Restaurant, Pringle Bay, 8am, Sonja du Toit 084 850 0681

Wednesday 25 November
Extreme Lights Night Run Series – L'Avenir Wine Estate 11km & 6km, L'Avenir Wine Estate, off R44 about 10km from Stellenbosch towards Klapmuts, 7:30pm, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (w)

Thursday 26 November
Lusan Night Run Series #2 10km & 5km, Stellenzicht, on Stellenrust Road, off R44 between Stellenbosch and Somerset West7pm & 7:15pm, Naomi Potgieter 083 267 8164

Friday 27 November
Day Run 9km & 5.5km, Benguela Cove Wine Estate, Hermanus, 7:30pm, Janine Swart 083 662 2022

Saturday 28 November
Benguela Cove Day Trail Run 9km & 5.5km, Benguela Cove Wine Estate, Hermanus, 9am, Janine Swart 083 662 2022

WESTERN CAPE: SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS

Thursday 5 – Sunday 8 November
Fairview Dryland Traverse 4-day Stage Trail Run, (Prologue 7.4km, 25.7km, 28.7km & 17.7km), Based out of De Hoek Mountain Resort, near Oudtshoorn, 9am, Carel Herholdt 082 379 1177

Saturday 14 November
Waterfront to Heads Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, 34 Degrees South Restaurant Parking, Knysna Waterfront, 7am, Rhoodie Barnard 082 825 9579

Saturday 28 November
Die Vlakte Marathon, Half Marathon & 10km, Heidelberg High School (42), Soutpan Farm (21) & Vondeling Primary School (10) to Witsand Beach, 5am, 6am & 7am, Nico Steyn 083 226 3091 NEW DATE – WAS 21 NOVEMBER

WESTERN CAPE: WESTERN PROVINCE

Sunday 1 November
Landmarks Half Marathon & Move for Health 6km, WP Cricket Club Sports Centre, Avenue de Mist, Rondebosch, 6am & 6:45am, Ted Vickery 076 195 7289

Wednesday 4 November
Labourwise 10km & 4km CANCELLED

Saturday 7 November
West Coast AC Half Marathon & 6km, Eden on the Bay Shopping Centre, cnr Otto du Plessis & Sir David Baird Drive, Bloubergstrand, Cape Town, 6am & 6:45am, Lizelle Meyer 084 581 3713

Sunday 8 November
Discovery Cape Times Big Walk 80km, 50km, 30km, 25km, 20km, 13km, 12km, 11km, 10km & 5km, Various start points, all ending at Rhodes High School, Montreal Avenue, Mowbray, Cape Town, Various start times, Events Office 021 685 3333 (w)
Cape Point Nature Run 35km, 24km, 13km & 5km CANCELLED

Tuesday 10 November
Parliament 10km CANCELLED

Saturday 14 November
Vital Winelands Run Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Eikestad Laerskool, Doornbosch Road, Stellenbosch, 5:30am, 5:45am, 6am & 6:30am, Top Events 021 511 7130 (w)

Wednesday 18 November
Twilight Team Fun Walk 5km, Founder’s Garden, ArtsCape, Jan Smuts Street, Cape Town, 7:30pm, Top Events 021 511 7130 (W)

Saturday 21 November
Mitchells Plain Titans Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Rocklands Sports Complex, Mitchells Plain, 6am, 6:15am & 8am, Lance Scheepers 076 245 5872

Wednesday 25 November
Sanlam Niel Joubert Plaaswedloop 13km, Klein Simonsvlei Farm, Simondium Road, near Klapmuts, 6:15pm, Wynand Beukes 083 461 8614

Thursday 26 November
Tygerberg Nature Reserve Full Moon 6km Fun Run #10, Tygerberg Nature Reserve, 7pm, Wild Runner 021 821 9898 (w)

Saturday 28 November
Edgemead Classic 10km & 5km PLUS 10km Walk, Edgemead High School, 6:30am & 6:45am PLUS 6:35am, Francois Gouws 083 236 8265
Muizenberg Mountain Trail Run 12km – Spur Country Classic Series #6, Toad in the Road Pub, 20 Main Rd, Muizenberg, Cape Town, 7am, Quantum Adventures 021 789 0188 (W)

KWAZULU-NATAL

Saturday 7 November
Eston Tala Trail Run 12km & 5km, Beaumont Eston Farmers Club, near Tala Game Reserve, 7:30am, Wynne 031 785 1612 (W)

Sunday 8 November
Save Supermarket Orion Half Marathon, Protea Sports Centre, Khan Road, Raisethorpe, 7am, Ajith Deena 083 659 2732
Riverside Tafta 14km & 7km Trail Run, Virginia Bush Nature Reserve, Adelaide Tambo Drive, Durban, 7am, Riverside Trail 082 777 7073
Maqhwe Mfula Trail Race 25km & 6km, Mountain View lodge, District Road 389, Bishopstowe, near Pietermaritzburg, 6:30am, Michael Hay 082 922 8099

Wednesday 11 November
Giba Monthly Night Trail 10km & 5km, Giba Gorge Mountain Bike Park, Stockville Road, Pinetown 6.30pm, Lauren 082 791 7069

Saturday 14 November
King of Phezulu 20km, 10km & 5km Trail Run, Phezulu Safari Park, Outer West Durban, 7:30am, Lauren 082 791 7069

Sunday 15 November
Bluff Vets Half Marathon PLUS 15km Walk, Fynnlands Sports Complex, 55 Smith Drive, Bluff, Durban, 6am, Kevin Adams 083 310 1024
Greater Edendale 10km & 5km, FNB Wadley Stadium, Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, 7am, Thami Vilakazi 033 897 8650 (W)
Tinman 10km Beachfront Run, Suncoast Sundeck, Durban, 7am, B-Active Sports 031 764 1885 (W)

Saturday 21 November
McCarthy Inyanga Michaelis Challenge 20km, 10km & 5km Trail Run, Bloemveld Dam, Vryheid, 6:30am (20 & 10) & 8:45am (5), Astrid Vonkeman 083 759 5308
KZN Trail Running Summer Series #2 12km & 5km – Table Mountain, Table Mountain, Outside Pietermaritzburg, 7:30am, Lauren 082 791 7069

Sunday 22 November
Queensburgh Mineshaft 15km, Queensburgh Sports Association, Bowker Road, Escombe, 6am, Robin Archer 082 905 6005

Thursday 26 November
Funky Full Moon Trail Run 10km & 5km, Blue Lagoon, Durban, 6pm, Billy Harker 082 654 6542

Saturday 28 November
Sani Stagger Marathon, Sani Pass Hotel, Himeville, 6am, Heather Louise Parsons 076 951 7911
Sani Stagger Half Marathon (Down Run), Lesotho Border Post to Sani Pass Hotel, Himeville, 8:30am, Heather Louise Parsons 076 951 7911

FREE STATE

Friday 6 November
Engen Charity Run/Walk for Toys 10km & 5km, Clock Tower, Stateway, Welkom, 6pm, Christa Janse Van Vuuren 073 479 4254

Saturday 7 November
Vaal Toyota Sasolburg Summer 15km & 10km, DP De Villiers Stadium, Sasolburg, 8am, Dolf Binneman 073 339 6809
Engen to Engen 15km & 5km, Engen Curie Park, Bloemfontein, 7am, Jaco Grobbelaar 082 416 6779
APK Pretloop – Welkom 5km & 1km, Goudveld Multi Sport Club House, Disa Street, Welkom, 7am, Louise Burger 072 149 8753

Sunday 8 November
Deelfontein Dome Fest Mountain Trail Run 35km, 20km, 12km & 5km, Deelfontein, near Parys, 7am, 7:20am, 7:40am & 8am, Gerhard Benade 083 280 9784

Saturday 14 November
SCI Marathon & 10km, Bloemfontein Achilles, At Horak Avenue, Bloemfontein, 6am, Beverley Olivier 071 895 3183

Saturday 22 November
Andre’s Nissan Cherry Race 23km & 5km, Ficksburg Primary School, Imperani Street, Ficksburg, 6:30am, Audi Fourie 073 808 6189

Saturday 29 November
Vaal Dam 10km & 4km Fun Run, NG Church, Main Street, Deneysville, 7am, Race Organiser 084 392 2971

EASTERN CAPE: BORDER

Saturday 7 November
Twizza Bonkolo Marathon, Half Marathon & 5km, Bonkolo Dam, Queenstown, 5:30am, Theo Ferreira 082 873 4597

Sunday 8 November
Lightning Fast 10km, Johnson & Johnson, Rattray Road, East London, 8am, Stan Barbour 083 608 4353

Saturday 14 November
Gonubie Coastal Challenge 21.1km & 10km, Gonubie Sports Club, Recreation Road, Gonubie, 6:30am (walkers at 6am), Nico Sprong 084 508 4577 NEW DATE – WAS 15 NOVEMBER

Sunday 15 November
Cheetahs Challenge Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Ross Mission (21) & WSU (Unitra) Stadium, Mthatha (10 & 5), to Walter Sisulu University Stadium, Nelson Mandela Drive Campus, Mthatha, 6am, Zola Bulwana 072 344 7160

Saturday 21 November
National Port Authority Bank to Bank 10km & 5km, Hamilton Club House, Clevedon Road, Selborne, East London, 6pm, Bronek Urban 082 577 0932

Saturday 28 November
Kapaailand Half Marathon, Ugie Spar, 14 Main Road, Ugie, to Maclear Buildit, 7am, Christiaan Kotze, 084-5121808(cell)

EASTERN CAPE: EASTERN PROVINCE

Saturday 7 November
Charlo Tuff 10km & 5km CANCELLED

Saturday 14 November
Zuurberg Mountain Inn 15km, Zuurberg Mountain Inn, Addo, 8am, Bob Stedman 082 900 3556 NEW DATE – WAS 8 OCTOBER

Saturday 21 November
Two Views 10km Challenge & 5km, TBC, Port Elizabeth, 7am, Willie Lawson 083 783 2610

Friday 27 – Saturday 28 November
Salomon 2-day Skyrun 100km & Sky Run Lite 65km, Lady Grey to Wartrail Country Club, 4am, Michael de Haast 072 078 5278

FAR NORTH: LIMPOPO

Saturday 14 November
SuperSpar Bela-Bela Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Hoërskool Warmbad, Swanepoel Street, Bela-Bela, 5:30am, Neels Venter 082 652 3518

Wednesday 25 November
Jingle 10km & 5km Charity Run, Old Peter Mokaba Stadium, Dorp Street, Polokwane, 6:30pm, Kim Robbertse 071 218 9218

FAR NORTH: MPUMALANGA

Wednesday 4 November
Sasol Secunda Night 10km & 5km, Sasol Recreation Club, Nelson Mandela Drive, Secunda, 7pm, Abednego Sibanyoni 082 332 9448 NEW DATE – WAS 28 OCTOBER

Saturday 7 November
Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 Marathon, Half Marathon & 10km, The Pear Orchards, Kaapsehoop, to the New Mbombela Stadium, Bafana Road, Mataffin, Mbombela (Nelspruit), 5:30am, Winnie Uys 082 410 0170

Saturday 21 November
Movember Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Kees Taljaard Stadium, Middelburg, 7am, Theuns Luus 083 630 8729
Ilanga Trail Series – Berlin Trail Run 35km, 20km, 12km & 6km, Bohemian Groove Café, Watkins Street, Kaapsehoop, 6:30am, Clive Smart 082 894 0432

NORTH WEST: CENTRAL NORTH WEST

Wednesday 5 November
Supa Quick Nite 10km & 5km, Olenpark Rugby Stadium, Potchefstroom, 7pm, Theo Coetzee 083 538 3162

NORTH WEST: NORTH WEST NORTH

Sunday 1 November
Spur Gauteng Summer Trail Series #2, 13.2km & 7.4km, Segwati Game Lodge, near Broederstroom, 7am & 7:15am, Race Secretary 072 438 3242

Sunday 8 November
Spur Gauteng Summer Trail Series #3 13.4km & 6.7km, B’Sorah Tented Camp, near Broederstroom, 7am & 7:15am, Race Secretary 072 438 3242

NORTHERN CAPE: GRIQUALAND WEST

Saturday 7 November
Louis Jooste Memorial Blue Run 21.1km, 10km & 5km, Pirates Running Club, Jacobus Smith Street, Kimberley, 6am (21) & 7am (10 & 5), Mark Hunt 082 462 4066

NORTHERN CAPE: NORTH WEST CAPE
No races scheduled for this period

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES: LESOTHO

Saturday 28 November
Lesotho Ultra Trail 50km, Maliba Mountain Lodge, 5:30am, Lauren 082 791 7069

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES: NAMIBIA

Saturday 7 November
RKC Hardap Championship 21.1km & 10km, Rene Kids Centre, Block E, Rehoboth, Rene Kids Centre +264 (0)81 473 5987

Saturday 14 November
Run for Diabetes 5km Winshoek, St. George’s School, Windhoek, Maryke de Vos +264 (0)81 304 1298
Run for Diabetes 5km Swakopmund, Mole Parking, Swakopmund, Linda van Zyl +264 (0)81 247 4292
Run for Diabetes 5km Walvis Bay, Atlantis Sport Club, Walvis Bay, Lore Wormbacher +264 (0)81 847 4587
Run for Diabetes 5km Keetmanshoop, Keetmanshoop Stadium, Maryke de Vos +264 (0)81 304 1298

Saturday 21 November
Breakfast Run 21.1km, 10km & 5km, Jubber Hockey Field, Olympia, Windhoek, Time TBC, Susan +264 (0)81 212 4421

TRIATHLON & DUATHLON

Sunday 1 November
Ekurhuleni 5150 African Championships, 1.5km swim, 40km bike & 10km run, Germiston Lake, Ekurhuleni Metropolitan Municipality, 9:30am, Sharon Talbot 041 736 8509 (w)
Tribe Tri Juniors #2, TBA, Western Cape, WPTA Administrator 021 712 7417 (w)

Saturday 7 November
Bridgetown Off-road Triathlon, Moorreesburg, Western Cape, WPTA Administrator 021 712 7417 (w)

Sunday 8 November
11 Global Triathlon Sun City, Sprint: 750m swim, 20km bike & 5km run, Olympic: 1.5km swim, 40km bike & 10km run, Sun City Water World Complex Cabana Lawns, North West Province, More info on www.11global.com
Trinity Green #2 Cross Triathlon & Duathlon, Johannesburg, Gauteng, Japie Boonzaaier 084 501 2712
Buffalo City Tri, Orient Beach, Amathole, Buffalo City, Jen Petzer 082 821 6036
Maqhwe Mfula Multisport Event, Challenge: 25km trail run, 55km MTB, 8km paddle; Adventure: 25km trail run, 55km MTB, 8km dam run; Mountain View lodge, District Road 389, Bishopstowe, near Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal, 6:30am, Michael Hay 082 922 8099

Sunday 15 November
Tinman Triathlon #3, TinMan Challenge & Relay (7:30am): 1km/30km/10km; TinMan Sprint Tri (7:15am): 600m/20km/5km; TinMan Mini Tri (7am): 200m/5km/2.5km; Suncoast Sundeck, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, B-Active Sports 031 764 1885 (W)
WP Triathlon Champs, Sports & Leisure Centre, Val de Vie Estate, Klip Rug Road, Paarl, Western Cape, WPTA Administrator 021 712 7417 (w)

Saturday 21 November
Free State Triathlon/Duathlon, Maselspoort, Free State, Free State Triathlon 073 718 5427
Xtri Off-road #1, Robertson, Western Cape, WPTA Administrator 021 712 7417 (w)

Sunday 22 November
GNT Provincial Tri Champs, Olympic: 1.5km swim, 40km bike & 10km run, Buffelspoort Dam, Pretoria, 8am, Assie 082 453 0096
Xtri Off-road #2, Robertson, Western Cape, WPTA Administrator 021 712 7417 (w)

Sunday 29 November
Midlands Ultra Triathlon, Ultra: 1.9km swim, 90km cycle & 21km run, Sprint: 600m swim, 20km cycle & 5km run, Midmar Dam Resort, KwaZulu-Natal Midlands, B-Active Sports 031 764 1885 (W)
Tribe Tri Juniors #3, Western Cape, WPTA Administrator 021 712 7417 (w)

ORIENTEERING

Sunday 8 November
Gauteng Sprint Relay #2, TBC, Johannesburg, Rand Orienteering Club: Nick Cooper 074 188 9250

Sunday 22 November
Gauteng Mountain Bike #6, Groenkloof Nature Reserve, Pretoria, Rand Orienteering Club: Nick Cooper 074 188 9250

ADVENTURE RACING

Sunday 8 November
Spur Adventure Series #2, Duo (individual): 20-25km MTB & 6km run; Sprint (teams of 2 or 3): 12km MTB, 3km run & water obstacles; Spur Eco Warrior (3-7 years): 2km MTB & 500m run; Banhoek Conservancy, Stellenbosch, Western Cape, 8am & 9am, Quantum Adventures 021 789 0188 (W)

Friday 13 – Sunday 15 November
Franschhoek Adventure Race 150km & 100km, Trekking/trail running, mountain biking, paddling & navigation, Teams of 2 or 4, Berg River Dam, near Franschhoek, 6am, Caeli Manuel 021 424 4579 (w)

OBSTACLE RACING

Saturday 21 – Sunday 22 November
Jeep Warrior #8, Black Ops 15km (30 obstacles), Commando 10km (22), Rookie 5km (15) & Warrior Bratz 500m (8, unlimited laps); Zebra Country Lodge, on R573, Leeuwkloof, Pretoria, Gauteng, From 8am, Race Office 012 803 1387 (W)

TRACK AND FIELD

Saturday 7 November
KZNA Youth, Junior, Senior & Masters League ‘A’, Kings Park Athletics Stadium, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 7:30am, KZN Athletics 031 312 9374
Tygerberg NLC Primary Schools Meeting, Parow Track, Western Province, 9am, Mariana Meyer 082 777 4050

Saturday 14 November
KZNA Youth, Junior, Senior & Masters League ‘B’, Kings Park Athletics Stadium, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, 7:30am, KZN Athletics 031 312 9374
Free State Masters Athletic Championship, Bloemfontein, Free State, 7:30am, Kitty Van Der Merwe 083 444 7205
SPAAC Relay Meeting, Vygieskraal Stadium, Cape Town, Western Province, 8am, Cedric Van Wyk 078 651 4895
Leo Benning Masters Challenge No 2 & Weight Pentathlon, Green Point Stadium, Cape Town, Western Province, 12:30pm, Elize Engelbrecht 021 699 0615 (w)

Friday 20 November
WPA Open & Combined Events, Parow Track, Western Province, 6pm, Elize Engelbrecht 021 699 0615 (w)

Saturday 21 November
Little Athletics, Vygieskraal Stadium, Cape Town, Western Province, 8am, Waleed Donough 082 396 6504
WPA Open & Combined Events, Parow Track, Western Province, 1pm, Elize Engelbrecht 021 699 0615 (w)

Saturday 28 November
WPA Senior Open Meeting, Parow Track, Western Province, 12pm, Elize Engelbrecht 021 699 0615 (w)

Long Run Specialist

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He has 38 consecutive Comrades finishes to his name as well as 29 Two Oceans medals, making him one of the most ‘decorated’ ultra runners in South Africa, and he is also a former SA 50km Race Walking Champion, but Wietsche van der Westhuizen prefers to be known for his popular long training runs on Saturday mornings and for helping other runners achieve their endurance goals. – BY SEAN FALCONER

Most Friday afternoons you’ll find Wiets (58) taking about three hours off work at his security installation business in the northern suburbs of Cape Town to drive around fetching water, Coke and ice for the next ‘Wietse Run’ 28km training run. Then on Saturday mornings he’s up at 4am to get everything ready for the 5:30am start from Willowbridge Mall in Tyger Valley, where he is normally joined by around 200 runners, and up to 360 in peak ultra season. The runners pay a voluntary R20 fee and can choose to do 6, 12, 20 or 28km, there are three water tables and six cars to support the runners, various businesses in the mall support the runners with products, and once a month there are even valuable lucky draw prizes worth up to R5000. It’s an incredible operation, which Wiets has been running for close on a decade now.

“18 years ago we moved down to Cape Town and I joined a group of guys from Bellville Athletic Club doing a 28km training run along the Big Mama route most Saturdays. They used to put Coke and water out on the road, hidden in the grass, and we did that for about 10 years,” says Wiets. “Then four of the main guys stopped running and I decided to take over. We made the seconding more formal, with a car driving on the route to give us drinks, usually driven by my wife Wilna – she’s not a runner, but I can wake her up at 4am and she’ll put on her tracksuit and be there for me. What an incredible woman! Today we have six cars, and the whole shopping centre is involved, especially Dis-Chem and Pick n Pay.”

Doing this most Saturday mornings is quite some undertaking, but Wiets says it is all about giving back to his fellow athletes. “A few years ago I realised there were a lot of people battling to get under five hours for the marathon to qualify for Oceans and Comrades, so I helped them, and over the years I have promised so many guys to help them train for and run the Comrades… that’s what keeps me coming back, training all these youngsters and getting guys off the couch and running. But what they don’t realise is that they are actually helping me: You won’t find me even doing a 5km run on my own, but I usually have at least 20 youngsters running with me in the week, and then 200-plus on the weekend. That’s why I organise these long runs… people think I am helping them, but they are actually helping me!” he laughs

Bug Bit in Beaufort
Wiets grew up in Beaufort West, where his father worked on the railways, and one family friend from Cape Town that visited quite often was a good runner and race walker. “When I was in standard four, he said I should come join him on a run – I didn’t realise he wanted to run about 15 to 20 kays, out of town to the airfield and back!” However, the bug bit and Wiets began doing athletics, cross-country and race walking at school. His father was transferred to Johannesburg two years later, and Wiets went on to study teaching at Pukke in Potchefstroom, where he also became a regular road runner. Then in 1978 a friend at varsity entered him for the Two Oceans down in Cape Town. “Luckily my dad worked for the railways, so I got a free ticket, and I pitched up and just did a 56km run in five hours 44 minutes. I was almost dead! In those days you didn’t need to qualify, so I had gone from nowhere to my first ultra.”

And more was to follow… “At Oceans they handed out a small A5 flyer for Comrades, entry was something like R5, but because I was still under-age, I had to get my dad to sign it, so I waited till he was reading the newspaper and just slipped it in front of him. The week before the race I went to ask him for some money and he said, ‘Over my dead body will you run Comrades!’ So I traded in all my empty cooldrink bottles and off I went to Comrades with R10 in my pocket – that was enough to pay for petrol, food and accommodation for myself and my friend Ferdi Botha, who went with to second me!”

Many Highlights
Today Wiets has run over 530 standard marathons and over 200 ultras – he only keeps a log of the long ones, because everything shorter than 42km is just a training run – and he can also look back on some great race walking memories. “I was organising a club trip to PE for the Train Race in the early 90s, and at the same time was organising the Transvaal Race Walking Champs in Krugersdorp. About 10 minutes before the start, I decided to take part, and I didn’t realise it but I qualified for the SA Race Walking Champs. The Monday night before we were supposed to leave for PE, the province phoned to say I had been selected to represent Transvaal that coming Saturday at the SA Champs. I said no ways, I’m going to PE, but they said if I go, they will ban me for two years from all athletics, so I had to drop the train trip and go to SA’s. I decided to show them, by taking it slow, and for the first 30-plus kays I was just having a relaxed walk. But then I started catching the guys and in the last few kays I realised something was happening. I was regularly doing ultras up to 100km back then, so I had an endurance advantage, and that year I won the SA 50km race walking title!”

While that win is one of his fond memories of his athletic career, Wiets says there are three main highlights that really stand out: Running his first sub-three-hour marathon at the Winelands in Stellenbosch, and his first Two Oceans and Comrades silver medals, both achieved in 1983. However, he says those highlights are nothing compared to the four emotional highlights of his life: Marrying Wilna, the birth of his two daughters, Louise and Wilandie, and then finishing the 2014 Comrades with both daughters by his side. “We played through it in 2014, just having fun and finishing in 11:46. My daughters grew up with running, so it was an incredible moment for me to finish their first Comrades with them.”

Going for 50…
There are currently nine runners in the 40 Comrades Club, with a further four set to join in 2016, and another five, including Wiets, set to join in 2017, if everything goes to plan, and he believes he could even get to 50. “I will be 69 when I get there, as will Alan Robb, but from 40 onwards, who can tell what will happen? You always have to remember that being able to run is a blessing, and it gets tougher by the year as you get older… but what I do know is that my 40th is going to be one big party. My daughters and my two brothers, Marius and Hendrik will be running with me, plus my niece, as well as many running friends, some of whom are coming out of retirement for it. Now that’s a party I am looking forward to!”

Soweto Champ Repeats

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Over 19 000 runners took to the streets of Soweto in the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon on Sunday morning, 1 November. The race started and finished at the Expo Centre in Johannesburg (NASREC), connecting runners from all over the world to six significant heritage sites dotted along the 42.2km marathon route, including Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, Walter Sisulu Square, Regina Mundi Catholic Church, Morris Isaacson High School, Vilakazi Street and Hector Pieterson Memorial.

The marathon men’s race was won by defending champion, Sintayehu Legese Yinesu from Ethiopia, who crossed the finish line in a time of 2:23:20. Zimbabwean Mike Fokoroni took second place in 2:24:12, followed by John Kirui from Kenya (2:24:42). “I feel so blessed to have been given the opportunity by Old Mutual, Soweto Marathon and the support from Nedbank Sport Athlete Development Initiative through their development of Ethiopian as well as South African runners,” said Yinesu. “Without their support it would not have been possible for me to defend my title.”

In the women’s race, Kenyan Harriet Jepchumba Chebore led the marathon field home in a time of 2:50:15. Second place went to Amelework Fikadu Bosho in 2:50:15 and in third place, Selam Abere Alebachew ofthiopia completed the marathon in 2:52:03. The two marathon winners each take home R200,000 in prize money.

In the half marathon, Akopo Africa showed fine form to win the women’s title in 1:19:34, while Elroy Gelant took line honours in the men’s race in 1:06:33. Meanwhile, the 10km men’s title went to Namakoe Lucky Nkasi, and Rutendo Nyahora took the women’s title.

For the first time all three routes took runners through the heart of Soweto, allowing all participants to revel in the township’s rich history. “True to tradition, The People’s Race attracted widespread support, with Soweto residents lining the streets, which added a unique spirit and atmosphere to this occasion,” said Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, Chief Marketing Officer of Old Mutual Emerging Markets. “With Soweto’s rich history and diverse culture as backdrop to the race, we believe that it’s a race every South African should do at least once in their life, and we’re looking forward to returning next year for the 2016 Old Mutual Soweto Marathon, to give the rest of South Africa the opportunity to experience it for themselves.”

Hilly Soweto

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The 42 kilometre Marathon

The 42 kilometre marathon has a total gain of 458 metres, which means that there are plenty of hills for the hill climbers to enjoy.


The route starts out downhill but there are a number of nasty climbs before the half-way mark.


Unfortunately, the half way mark heralds the point at which the marathon starts climbing so you definitely should leave plenty of energy in your tank for the last half of the race.


For more information on the actual route, click here (https://modernathlete.co.za/stories/soweto-marathon-route-description)

The 21 kilometre half marathon

With its total gain of 188 metres, the half marathon certainly isn’t short of hills.


However, like its longer cousin, this race distance starts with downhills.


Runners shouldn’t be fooled as the second half of the race includes most of the uphills.


For more information on the actual route, click here (https://modernathlete.co.za/stories/soweto-half-marathon-route-description)

The 10 kilometre run

Although it is way shorter than either the marathon or the half marathon, the 10 km route also has its fair share of hills.


However, the route is mostly downhill until around the seven kilometre mark, where it starts climbing.


This climbing takes up most of the remainder of the race, so it is definitely advised that runners keep energy for this section.


For more information on the actual route, click here (https://modernathlete.co.za/stories/soweto-marathon-10-km-route-description)

Running for PinkDrive

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The 2015 Totalsports Women’s Race series saw just under 13 000 runners and walkers join forces in Durban, Johannesburg and Stellenbosch where they ran their city in support of PinkDrive.

As a result of the tremendous support received from entrants, event organisers were able to donate a generous sum of R67 432 to this deserving beneficiary.

PinkDrive is a Non-Profit Company (NPC) that is committed to improving breast cancer awareness, education, and providing and offering breast health services to women across South Africa.

“We love the Totalsports Women’s Race,” says Noelene Kotschan, PinkDrive Founder and CEO.

“The series is a highlight on our events calendar. Runners were treated to superb routes, awesome on route entertainment and an overall fun vibe. Each event offered us a unique platform to reach out to thousands of women (and men), in so doing allowing us to bring home the message that “early detection” really does save lives. All monies raised will go towards keeping our mobile mammography units on the road. We also aim to build more mobile units. The funding received from these events will definitely make a difference in our PINK lives.”

According to Carmen Garzouzie, Head of Totalsports, the Totalsports Women’s Race is a token of recognition to all women.

“Through the Totalsports ‘Women Run This City’ movement we acknowledged that female athletes cannot be ignored. We are committed to inspiring and empowering women, through sport, to take control of their lives and of their health. In staying true to our cause, it was vital that we raised awareness for breast cancer as it affects one out of 26 women in South Africa. We are therefore extremely proud to support PinkDrive and are even more proud to associate our event with the superb work that they do.”

Online entries for the 2016 Totalsports Women’s Race (Durban, Johannesburg and Cape Town) will open on Monday, 1 February 2016.

Make sure you get your race pack

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In spite of only opening at 09:00 this morning, hundreds of athletes registered for the Soweto Marathon have already collected their race packs.

Race pack collection is currently taking place at Johannesburg Stadium, corner of Currie and Staib streets, New Doornfontein.

So, if you are on your way there today, or plan to go there either tomorrow or Saturday, make sure you’ve got the following:
• Your ChampionChip (unless you are hiring or purchasing one, in which case it’ll be in your race pack);
• Your ID, driver’s licence or passport;
• Your confirmation of registration slip;
• Your student card or a letter from your school (if you are a school pupil);

If you are unable to pick up your race pack yourself, print out a letter of authorisation (as found on the website www.sowetomarathon.com/racepacks ) and give it to someone else to collect it for you. However, they would need to take with them your confirmation slip, a copy of your ID/passport/driver’s licence and your ChampionChip.

Race pack collection takes place from 09:00 to 18:00 on Thursday 29 October, Friday on 30 October and Saturday 31 October.

For more information, go to www.sowetomarathon.com/racepacks

Emmanuel Bett and Daniel Salel

Run cycle RUN!

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More than 2000 athletes took to the streets at the inaugural Discovery Duathlon, held in Sandton over the weekend of 24 and 25 October.

In spite of the scorching Johannesburg weather, fitness enthusiasts, aspiring athletes and novices took to the streets with the aim to complete a RunCycleRun.

Get your bicycles out and running shoes tied in preparation for the next Discovery Duathlon. Discovery looks forward to hosting you next year!

However, what took place on Saturday was probably more significant as the future of South African sport did battle on the Sandton streets.

The littlest Duathletes took over the streets as they participated in the inaugural Kids Discovery Duathlon with Disney.

Kids as young as five years old ran, cycled, and ran again as many of them competed in their first race.

Kids were treated to a magical race through their favourite Disney landscapes, including Frozen and Finding Nemo.

Congratulations to all participants who did so well!

Train the Brain to Run Better

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Acclaimed sports coach Matt Fitzgerald has a simple motto, “Train the brain and the rest will follow.” And we’ve all heard the Comrades experts say that the race is 40% physical and 60% mental, and that your physical training will only get you to the 60km mark – after that, your mind has to take you the rest of the way. But is the mind really that important when it comes to running?

The answer is a definite yes. In his book Psycho-Cybernetics, Maxwell Maltz writes about the power of our self-image and how we limit and restrict ourselves based on our self-image. The truth is that most us achieve far less than we are capable of, simply because our self-image doesn’t allow us to.

I realised for the first time the power of the mind in October 2011, when I took part in the Munich Marathon. I lined up at the start aiming for a PB, but instead ended up tearing my Soleus muscle around the 14km mark. By the 16km mark I was ready to throw in the towel, because every step was excruciating, but at that moment I learnt an invaluable life and running lesson, about the power of the mind. I said to myself, “I have not come all this way to feel pain.” I literally switched off the pain and continued to run at the best possible pace I could manage. I ended up missing my PB, but still managed to cross the line in 2:57:29 – at which point the pain flooded my calf and I could hardly walk.

HOW TO TRAIN YOUR BRAIN
The training we do is not purely about the physical aspect, but also has a huge impact on our mental state. For example, every time we drag ourselves out of bed and head out the door to train, despite not wanting to, it makes us that much stronger mentally. Every time we push through a tough session, despite our bodies begging us to stop, makes us stronger mentally. While it is important to listen to our bodies and not overdo it, we need to learn when it’s our body calling for a time-out and warning us of looming injury, or when it’s just our mind giving in and wanting us to quit. When it’s the mind, never give in. You can conquer it, and if you’ve done so once, you can conquer it again. The bottom line is that if we quit in training, we will quit at one point or another in the race.

Another aspect of training your brain is mentally preparing ourselves for our next big goal. This process is called visualisation and should not be underestimated. There’s a true story about a prisoner of war who was locked up in solitary confinement for seven years. To stop himself from going insane, he would visually play a full round of golf every day in his mind. He would see himself lining up the ball, feel the club swinging through the air and making contact with the ball, then see the ball landing on the fairway and ultimately putting it into the hole. Before being locked up he was a very average golfer, shooting in the mid 90’s, but after he was released from prison he shot a 74 on his first round.

When building up to a race, visualise it in your mind. Feel your nerves as you line up at the start. See the start banner, hear the gun as your heart rate jumps a notch. Feel your feet hitting the ground and your lungs expanding with every breath. In your mind, run the route as you plan to run it on race day, then see yourself crossing the finish line and feel the emotions of achieving your goal. If we spend a few minutes each day for one to two weeks before race day visualising our race in this way, we will find that on race day we are mentally prepared for what’s coming. We’ve already ‘run’ up Polly Shortts. We’ve already conquered the route. We’ve already crossed the line.

SET YOURSELF GOALS
Lastly, set yourself challenging and achievable goals, ones that you really want. If you don’t really desire that Bill Rowan, or you don’t really want that sub-80 half marathon, or you’re not really sure why you’re tackling 160km, then it’s going to be very hard to achieve your goal. Part of the mental battle is already won if you’ll do almost anything to achieve what you’re aiming for. And always remember, it’s all in the mind!