Category: Event Update!

The KZN Midlands is once again gearing up to host over 1500 competitors and their families for the Midlands Ultra Triathlon on 29 November.

This biannual ultra-triathlon attracts amateur and professional athletes from across Africa and Europe to the beautiful KZN Midlands.

This exciting event is one of SA's biggest triathlon events and is part of the African National Triathlon Series, which staged the inaugural Sun City Ultra Triathlon in May 2015.

“We are very fortunate to have Midmar Dam in KZN, as it is known as one of the best venues in Africa to stage a multisport event like ours” says race director Damian Bradley from B-Active Sports.

Local professional triathlete Donovan van Gelder, who is a multiple winner of the Midlands Ultra ranks Midmar Dam as the best venue in the country for triathlon: “Midmar's water is always clean and never too cold, The surrounding KZN Midlands are breathtaking and the cycle and run are undulating and challenging, which makes finishing the Midlands Ultra a true achievement for everyone.” said Van Gelder.

“From a personal point of view, Midmar was the venue where I did my first standard (Olympic) distance race in 1988 and I did my first half iron distance race there as well, in 1991. The first time I crossed a finish line in first place overall was at Midmar in January 1991 so nearly a quarter of a century before this year’s Midlands Ultra.”

“I am getting towards the end of my competitive career, as far as winning races overall goes, I turn 45 a month after this year’s race, so it would be special for me to add one more win at the Midlands Ultra before I ease back and start racing in age-groups.”

“The distance of the Midlands Ultra is my favourite and it seems to suit me the best. I have never finished outside of the top three at any race over this distance in my thirty years of racing. So I definitely plan to be a factor again on 29 November. As it may be my last race where I compete for the overall title, I will make sure that I am prepared to the best of my ability. If the weather plays along, I would like to target the four hour barrier on the new route.”

On the international stage, the number of international athletes gets stronger each year, with over 16 foreign athletes already attending the November race , coming from Dubai, United Kingdom, Zimbabwe, Swaziland, Botswana, Germany and Spain.

“Past winners of the Midlands Ultra include James Cunnama, Kent Horner, Stuart Marias, Donovan van Gelder, Gerhard de Bruin, some of whom have already secured their place on the Ultra starting line. Other top athletes Ruan Naude, Freddie Lampret and Henri Schoeman have indicated that this event is on their training schedule for the end of the year.

The event on 29 November is the perfect race to end a successful 2015 year on. Sunday sees the Individual Sprint competitors’ event kicking off at 6:50am, with the Sprint Team Relay kicking off at 6:55am. At 7:20am the Ultra ½ iron distance Triathlon starts, taking the swimmers on a 1.9km swim course before they head out on their bikes into the meandering hills of the Midlands.

On Saturday and Sunday there will be sporting stands, displays and food and drinks available for the whole family the whole weekend.

Anyone looking for a quality exciting event, should give the Midlands Ultra or Sprint race a go. The Event can be done in Teams and Individually and there is something for everyone. To book you place at one of SA’s premier Triathlons, go to www.ultratri.co.za . Entries close on 4 November

Event program:
Saturday :
• Race Registration – 10am to 4pm
• Tri Expo – 10am until 4pm
Sunday Events:
• SPRINT Individuals – 6:50am / 600m swim / 22.5km Cycle / 5km Run
• CORPORATE Team Challenge – 6:55am / 600m swim / 22.5km Cycle / 5km Run
• ULTRA Individuals – 7:20am / 1.9km Swim / 88Km Cycle / 21km Run
• ULTRA Teams: 7:30am / 1.9km Swim / 88Km Cycle / 21km Run
• Tri Expo – 8m until 3pm

It’s time to lace up your takkies or line the streets of Soweto in support of the 2015 Old Mutual Soweto Marathon – this year all routes run closer to the richest heritage trail, celebrating the township’s legacy and dynamic identity like never before.

These streets are filled with ritage and the legacy of truly great South Africans. Alive with triumph, passion and tribute, this is a race every South African should do at least once in their life, to become part of a movement that is Greater than Yourself.

The People’s Race promises an experience inspired by some of South Africa’s greats, whether runners participate in the marathon (42.2 km), the half-marathon (21.1 km) or the 10 km race.

For the first time all three routes run through the heart of Soweto, challenging all participants to revel in the township’s rich history, taking on the baton and carrying out the vision of the greats that changed the course of South African history.

“Initially, all the routes did not run into the heart of Soweto due to congestion on the route, but this year we are treating each of the races to the best Soweto has to offer,” says Sello Khunou, chairperson of the Soweto Marathon Trust (SMT).

True to tradition, The Old Mutual Soweto Marathon will connect 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. This year the 10km route will also take runners into Diepkloof, while the 21.1km route will run past the Orlando Stadium and through Orlando.

The routes were selected to offer a memorable experience and a personal challenge, with the 42.2km selected as a qualifier for the Comrades and Two Oceans Ultra Marathons.

“We understand the value and power of investing in people in order to enable a brighter future for everyone in our country,” says Bandile Mngoma, Sponsorships Manager at Old Mutual Emerging Markets. “Our partnership with Soweto Marathon is our commitment to support local initiatives that gives us the opportunity to help the local economies and businesses within our communities, coming to life.”

The marathon will start and end at the Expo Centre Johannesburg (NASREC) on 01 November 2015, and promises to be even bigger and better than last year’s successful event.

Registration for the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon closes on Tuesday, 06 October 2015.

Runners can register at www.sowetomarathon.com or manually at the following centres: Orlando Community Centre; The Sweat Shop, Dunkeld West Shopping Centre, Fourways Crossing, Bedford Arcade, and South Downs Shopping Centre; Run A Way Store in Lynwood Ridge; Central Gauteng Athletics in Germiston; The Runners Store, Transhed Shopping Centre in Pretoria; and Running – Inn in Brookline Centre in Pretoria.

Join the conversation on Twitter with #OMSowetoMarathon2015, #PeoplesRace and #GreaterThanYourself via @SowetoMarathon.

Entries for South Africa’s biggest standard distance triathlon, the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship closes in less than a month.

The flagship event in the Standard Bank 5150 African Triathlon Series, the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship takes place on Sunday 1 November 2015 at Germiston Lake.

This race has seen some of South Africa’s brightest young prospects and some seasoned professionals take to the stage along with hundreds of first-timers who have entered the triathlon arena – many of whom have gone on to compete at longer distance events such as IRONMAN 70.3 and the full IRONMAN distance.

In 2014, the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship introduced a brand new bike course which created a fair and enjoyable race for both professionals and amateurs. Germiston Lake has been host to the event for the past two years providing the ideal backdrop for a great race and family friendly setting within a bustling urban area.

The 1.5km swim is a single out and back swim in Germiston Lake while the 40km bike course which starts at Germiston Lake Park taking athletes onto the N17, is now one of the most enjoyable around. The 10km run takes place in and around the Germiston Lake Park.

The distances involved make the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship ideal for first-time athletes and anyone looking to get into the growing sport of triathlon. Relay team entries are welcome for those who would prefer to enter as a team.

The increasing popularity of the event has seen a new addition to the team category this year with the King of the Corporates category now included. The King of the Corporates category is aimed at companies who can enter teams into a separate category and compete for their own trophy and bragging rights. The King of the Corporates category is ideal for company team building.

Entries close at midnight, 2 October 2015. For more information and to enter visit www.ironman.com/5150ekurhuleni.

Online entries for the 2016 XTERRA SA Season have opened so get your entry in as soon as possible and you could win an overseas trip or a bicycle.

Renowned as South Africa’s premier off-road triathlon, the Fedhealth XTERRA presented by Rehidrat® Sport will return to Buffelspoort (North West Province) the weekend of 22 – 24 January 2016. The following weekend XTERRA will make its debut in Port Elizabeth (29 – 31 January 2016), before culminating in Grabouw (Western Cape) the weekend of 19 – 21 February 2016 in the form of the South African Championships.

“Each XTERRA event will follow the exact same format in 2016,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “Event weekends will start as follows: the XTERRA kids on the Friday, followed by the XTERRA Full on the Saturday and finally the XTERRA Lite on the Sunday. We are really looking forward to our Port Elizabeth introduction. The venue lends itself to becoming one of the most exciting events on the calendar, not forgetting that XTERRA Port Elizabeth will be the only XTERRA SA event to feature an ocean swim.”

2016 EVENT DATES:

Buffelspoort (North West Province)

Date: Event:
Friday, 22 January 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA Kids
Saturday, 23 January 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA Full
Sunday, 24 January 2016 Fedheatlh XTERRA Lite

Port Elizabeth

Date: Event:
Friday, 29 January 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA Kids
Saturday, 30 January 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA Full
Sunday, 31 January 2016 Fedheatlh XTERRA Lite

Grabouw (Western Cape)

Date: Event:
Friday, 19 February 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA Kids
Saturday, 20 February 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA Full
Sunday, 21 February 2016 Fedheatlh XTERRA Lite

Fedhealth XTERRA Grabouw presented by Rehidrat® Sport forms part of the XTERRA World Tour. Athletes competing at this event stand the chance to qualify for the world championship final in Hawaii later in the year.

WIN in the 2016 Fedhealth XTERRA South Africa Champions Challenge:

Fedhealth XTERRA Full entrants will stand a chance to win an all-expenses paid trip to the XTERRA World Championships. To qualify for this competition, XTERRA Warriors must enter and complete all three Fedhealth XTERRA Full Races (Buffelspoort, Port Elizabeth and Grabouw).

There’s a competition for XTERRA Lite Warriors too. Enter and complete all three Fedhealth XTERRA Lite Races (Buffelspoort, Port Elizabeth and Grabouw) and stand a chance to win a spectacular TREK Mountain Bike.

Follow us on Twitter: @XTERRASA / @Fedhealthmed
Like our FaceBook page: XTERRA South Africa / Fedhealth Medical Aid

For further information on the Fedhealth XTERRA and/or to read through the Terms and Conditions of the Fedhealth XTERRA South Africa Champions Challenge visit www.stillwatersports.com or www.Fedhealth.co.za

With another year of preparation and hard work behind them, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon organisers are ready to celebrate the second edition of the relaunched race, and there are festivities, events and entertainment on offer for everyone at the annual weekend festival taking place from this Friday to Sunday (18 to 20 September).

Centred around Africa's only Silver Label road race, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon is geared up to host a record field of runners and visitors, and organisers have ensured that spectators and local residents will be able to join in the festivities.

One of the key focus points for this year's race is the tremendous spectator value on offer, with marathon weekend expected to bring the Mother City to a halt.

Race ambassador Elana Meyer says: “The marathons in New York, London, Boston and others involve the communities in their respective cities, and we're hoping to achieve the same impact here. We call on all Capetonians and visitors to the city to join us in celebration of elite sport and healthy living.”

Free Sanlam Spectator Buses will be available for spectators who would like to follow the race, hopping on and off while experiencing the emotional battle faced by the runners.

The Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Expo, to be held at The Lookout at V&A Waterfront (Grainger Bay Parking Area) on 18 and 19 September, offers a variety of food and drink stalls in a market-like atmosphere, as well as festivities to keep people of all ages entertained. The marathon finish, at Green Point A Track, promises to be equally festive.

There are multiple other points of interest for spectators and runners along the route: Tsogo Sun Newlands Best Dressed Red Carpet – Main Road Newlands; District Six – just below CPUT; City Activation on the Grand Parade Cape Town; Community Chest Bree Street Takeover – Bree Street Cape Town; Over 30 activations and music stations, including bands and DJs and Cape carnival artists in Bree Street.

For those who are unable to join in the weekend festival, there is the additional opportunity to experience the event on live SABC broadcasts. Festivities at the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Expo will be broadcast live for two hour on Saturday, 19 September from 10:00 to 12:00, and marathon race day will be televised live from 06:30 to 12:00 on Sunday, 20 September.

The race will also be showcased live on the race website www.sanlamcapetownmarathon.com

The IMPI Challenge will head to the picturesque Van Gaalens Cheese Farm near Hartbeespoort, North West Province one last time in 2015.

It will take place on Thursday, 24 September and elite entrants Claude Eksteen and Greg Avierinos will be vying for the coveted title of IMPI Elite Champion.

“The atmosphere at every IMPI race is amazing,” says Eksteen. “I really enjoy the way in which Pieter Du Plessis puts the course together. He makes good use of each venue and incorporates a lot of natural obstacles and amazing trails. The obstacles are always great fun. They are challenging, but manageable for all entrants irrespective of their fitness levels. I would recommend the IMPI Challenge because of the variation and challenges that you have to overcome out on the course. It keeps things fresh and exciting.”

According to Avierinos, IMPI challenges you in multiple ways. “The running in the IMPI Elite Race is particularly tough compared to other obstacles course races (OCR). There is a bit of swimming, while trees and other obstacles make the route extra exciting. The IMPI Elite Race GP#2 will be my last proper chance to race hard before I head to the USA for the OCR World Champs. As I am not a swimmer, I find swimming to be the hardest obstacle. It’s a nice element though as it cools you down and loosens up the legs for the upcoming run. Although it’s always a challenge especially if you’re trying to race hard, IMPI is also a great day out with friends and a good introduction into the sport of obstacle course racing.”

A trail run that features obstacles, the IMPI Challenge has five fun categories to choose from and is ideal for entrants of all ages. These categories are: Impi Challenge (10 kilometres with 18 obstacles for athletes of 18 years or older), Impi Dash (five kilometres with 12 obstacles for athletes 10 or older – adults are welcome), Impi Mini (one kilometre with smaller supervised obstacles for ages six to 10 years), Impi Elite (18 to 20 kilometres with 25 rough obstacles for athletes of 18 years or older and it is a timed event for prize money) and the Impi Corporate (10 kilometre challenge with extra benefits, participants need to be 18 or older).

Prize money will be allocated to the top three finishers in the men’s and women’s IMPI Elite Race, R10 000 for first place, R5 000 for second place and R2 500 for third place. The first male and female IMPI Elite finisher of 45 years of age and/or older will take home a whopping R2000 prize.

Entrants are invited to enter the best dressed competition. Pull out all the stops! There are awesome sponsor prizes up for grabs.

Family and friends are invited to relax in the Festival Area while loved ones conquer their fears out on route.

Like our Facebook page: Impi Challenge
Follow us on Twitter: @impichallenge

For more information on the IMPI Challenge contact 076 772 3735, email [email protected] or visit www.impichallenge.co.za

If you haven’t entered the City2City Ultra-Marathon yet, you’ve still got a few days.

Set to take place on 27 September, this race is organised by Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), Athletics Gauteng North (AGN), the City of Johannesburg and City of Tshwane.

Online entries for the 50 kilometre, 21 kilometre and 10 kilometre distances close on 17 September.

And if you miss that cut off, entries for the 21 kilometre and 10 kilometre distances will be taken at registration on 23, 25 and 26 September.

The route is the same as the 2013 event, with the City2City 50 kilometre Ultra marathon starting at the Gautrain station, Centurion heading to James & Ethel Grey Park, Melrose. The other two race distances, 21 kilometres and 10 kilometres, will start and finish at James and Ethel Grey Park.
For further information contact CGA office at 011 873 2726 or visit www.entrytime.com

With only one race left in the SPAR Women’s 10 kilometre Challenge series, Lebogang Phalula appears to have all but wrapped up the Grand Prix title.

She has finished in the top three in all four races so far, winning the Durban leg, coming second in Port Elizabeth and third in both Cape Town and Pretoria, and her consistency has earned her a total of 75 points – 14 more than her nearest rival.

Although Phalula could still be beaten, particularly if one of her rivals wins the Johannesburg race on 11 October in record time, she appears the likeliest candidate to take home a substantial cheque for R150 000.

Cornelia Joubert is currently in second position, with 61 points from four top 10 finishes, while 2013 Grand Prix winner Mapaseka Makhanya, who topped the log for the first two races after winning in record time in Cape Town, has bounced back from fifth place to third, on 57 points.

Lebogang’s twin sister, the 2014 Grand Prix winner Diana-Lebo, has moved up from seventh to fourth place, with 54 points, as a result of finishing second in Pretoria.

Christine Kalmer and Nolene Conrad are still neck and neck, although they have dropped from joint third to joint fifth place, on 53 points, while Rene Kalmer, who was lying in second position after the first three races, has dropped down to seventh place after failing to finish the Pretoria race because of a hip injury that has plagued her since the Vienna Marathon in April.

Irvette van Zyl remains in ninth position on the log (30 points), but she opted to run just the five kilometre fun run at the Pretoria race, as she was due to give birth a few weeks later, with her baby son emerging on 8 September.

The Nedbank club, which was ousted from top spot on the club ladder by Boxer last year, is comfortably in the lead with 302 points. Boxer is in second place on 282 points, followed by Transnet (96).

Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) will kick off the 2015/2016 Track and Field season in the province on Saturday 26 September at Germiston Stadium.

“After a great season last year, which saw a number of our athletes representing our province on national and international stages,” reads a press release from CGA, “we look forward to seeing more short distance athletes do their best. We also hope that the middle- and long-distance athletes aim to excel.”

The eagerly awaited fixtures for the news season in Central Gauteng have now been released, and the programme includes the following events:
• Saturday 26 September – Sub-youth and Youth Meeting, Germiston Stadium
• Saturday 3 October – Open Programme (full day), Ruimsig Stadium
• Saturday 10 October – Open Programme (full day), Germiston Stadium
• Saturday 17 October – Open Programme (full day), Boksburg Stadium
• Saturday 7 November – Sub-youth Championships, Boksburg Stadium
• Saturday 14 November – Sub-youth Meeting, Germiston Stadium
• Saturday 21 November – Inter-provincial Sub-youth Meeting, Germiston Stadium
• Saturday 9 January – Open Programme (full day), Boksburg Stadium
• Saturday 23 January – Programme One, Ruimsig Stadium
• Saturday 30 January – Programme Two, Boksburg Stadium
• Saturday 6 February – Programme One, Boksburg Stadium
• Saturday 13 February – Programme Two, Boksburg Stadium
• Thursday 25 to Friday 26 February – Primary School Provincial Championships, venue TBA
• Tuesday 1 to Wednesday 2 March – Secondary School Provincial Championships, venue TBA
• Saturday 12 March – CGA Sub-youth/Youth/Junior/Under-23 Championships, Germiston Stadium
• Saturday 26 March – GCA Senior Championships, Germiston Stadium

Also make a note of the major national SA Championship meets coming up:
• Thursday 31 March to Saturday 2 April – ASA Sub-youth/Youth/Junior/Under-23 Championships, Coastal venue TBA
• Friday 15 to Saturday 16 April – ASA Senior and Combined Championships, Inland, venue TBA

“We anticipate a very competitive season, especially with the Olympic Games later in 2016,” concludes the CGA press release. “The Track and Field Commission is ready for the gun to fire and let the athletic season begin!”

For more information, contact Central Gauteng Athletics on 011 873 2726 or [email protected].

Spring is here, which means it is time for the women of Johannesburg to take to the roads to prepare for the SPAR Women’s 10 kilometre Challenge at the Wanderers Sporting Club on Sunday 11 October.

The 10 kilometre Challenge and the five kilometre Fun Run have become an important part of the Johannesburg’s social running calendar, with thousands of women of all ages, and from all walks of life, taking part.

While Johannesburg cannot boast sparkling sea views, the Sonja Laxton-designed course winds its way through some of the City of Gold’s most beautiful suburbs. The 10 kilometre route takes the runners along Corlett Drive and Oxford Road as far as Riviera Road in Killarney, before zig-zagging back through some of Joburg’s leafiest suburbs. The five kilometre route meanders through the plush suburbs of Illovo, Melrose, Birdhaven and Atholl-Oaklands, giving runners and walkers a chance to peek at some of the most beautiful gardens in Johannesburg.

As always, there are some wonderful prizes on offer, in addition to the substantial cash prizes for the top 10 runners. There is a lucky draw for a SPAR voucher worth R15 000, the very popular Bring-a-Buddy competition, generous offers of computers and equipment for schools with the most entries, but the most exciting of all is that one lucky runner will win a brand new Suzuki Celerio motor car. But everyone is a winner on the day, with medals and goodie bags for the first 15 000 to cross the finish line. The first 15 000 to pre-register for the race will also receive a free race t-shirt.

“Our Women’s Challenge race is very important to us,” said SPAR South Rand marketing director Martin Webber. “We love our elite runners who are vying for Grand Prix points, and making sure that our races are truly competitive, but we believe the most important part of the races are the thousands of women of Joburg who take part just for fun.Women do the bulk of shopping at our stores, and we are very happy to be able to say thank you to them by providing them with a really enjoyable day out.”

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and proceeds from the Joburg Challenge will go to support awareness of cancers affecting women. Many women who have conquered breast cancer take part in the race every year, proudly sporting their pink ribbons.

The Joburg Challenge will be the final leg of the national five race SPAR Grand Prix series. Already this year races have been run in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth, Durban and Pretoria and the fight is on for the top season ending spot which will be finalized after the race in October.

Leading the Grand Prix is Lebogang Phalula who with a solid Joburg finish should walk away with the R150 000 top prize. However with a bunch of athletes challenging for second place on the Grand Prix leaderboard, nothing is guaranteed until after the Joburg race making the Joburg SPAR Women’s Challenge a race to watch.

There are just a few weeks before the race, but there’s still plenty of time to prepare for it. So jump out of bed, put on your training shoes, and get ready to take part in Joburg’s celebration of Spring.