Photos: Reg Caldecott

ONERUN named race of the year

The FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN was named “Race of the Year” at the Western Province Athletics Annual Awards function held in Cape Town this past weekend.

The WPA Awards evening was a prestigious event that that brought together athletes, clubs, race organisers, coaches, technical officials and administrators from across the Western Province to celebrate the athletic achievements of individuals and clubs committed to the sport.

Sue Forge, general manager for Western Province Athletics congratulated the team on their excellent achievement.

“The FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN was named the winner out of a pool of prominent road running events, some of which are the biggest in the country. We are extremely proud to play host an event of this stature and are confident that it will continue to grow in success,” said Forge.


The FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN took Cape Town by storm in May this year when it saw close to 10 000 runners line up at the start in Woodbridge Island on a perfect winter’s day. The race also took “Race of the Month” at the same function.


“We were over the moon when we heard we had won the awards, as they recognise the hard work that Stillwater Sports and Brackenfell Athletics Club has put into creating something special for runners,” said Sue Ullyett, event manager for the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN.


“This innovative, unique road running event has turned road running on its head and demonstrated that South Africa can deliver an event that equals those found overseas,” she added.


It is a fast, flat 12km route that attracts runners from all walks of life – from local and international running champions to fun-runners who join to dress up and enjoy the live music. The route starts in Milnerton, follows the coastline, past key landmarks, and finishes outside FNB offices at Portside building in Bree Street. The 2016 event takes place on Sunday 15 May.


Online entries for 2016 will open on Sunday, 15 November 2015 at 10:00.

Charity Support: When entering online, runners can choose to support either or both the FNB Cape Town ONERUN Charities: The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA and Die Burger Kersfonds.

Facebook: Ctown12 / CapeofGoodHopeSPCA
Twitter: @CTown12 / @SPCACape
Instagram: CapeTown_12 / CapeSPCA

For more information on: Die Burger Kersfonds email [email protected], Cape Of Good Hope SPCA visit www.spca-ct.co.za, FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN visit www.thecapetown12.com
 

Gauteng track and field in full swing

Central Gauteng Athletics hosted the third league meeting of the season on Saturday, 10 October 2015, at Germiston stadium.

The meeting was well attended by mostly the Sub Youth athletes who are preparing for the Inter Provincials Championships at the end of November 2015.

The race walking event in the morning was relatively quiet with most of the province’s elite walkers down in Cape Town for the South Africa Race Walk championships.

The Race Walk team did very well, they returned with the Trophy and most medals from these championships.

At the track, great performances continued throughout the day as Francois Pienaar maintained his consistency by winning the 1500m event.

The CGA Sub Youth Provincial Championships which were initially scheduled to take place on Saturday 07 November 2015 at Boksburg Stadium has been cancelled. The CGA Sub Youth Provincial Championships will now be held on the on Saturday 14 November 2015 at Germiston Stadium.

The Sub Youth category athletes are preparing for the Sub-Youth Inter Provincials Championships which will be taking place on the 21 November 2015.

Events to look out for include:

  • Sub Youth Championships for age groups seven, nine, 11 and 13, which will be held at Germiston Stadium on 14 November;
  • The interprovincial sub-sub youth championships for age groups of seven, nine, 11 and 13 which will take place at Germiston Stadium on 21 November;
  • The full day open program which will take place at Boksburg Stadium on 9 January;
  • Program One on 23 January at Ruimsig Stadium;
  • Program Two at Boksburg Stadium on 30 January;
  • Program One on 6 February at Boksburg Stadium;
  • Program Two on 13 February at Boksburg Stadium;
  • The primary school provincial championships on 25 and 26 February (venue to be announced);
  • The secondary school provincial championships on 4 and 5 March (venue to be announced);
  • The sub youth, youth, junior and under 23 championships at Germiston Stadium on 12 March;
  • The senior championships at Germiston Stadium on 26 March;
  • The ASA Sub-Youth, Junior and Under 23 championships will be held at a coastal venue on 1 and 2 April;
  • The ASA Senior and Combined Championships will be held at an inland venue on 15 and 16 April.

Germiston attracts large tri field

The Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship takes place for the third time having become one of the most popular triathlons in South Africa. The event is the flagship race in the Standard Bank 5150 African Triathlon Series and one of sixteen 5150 races across the globe.

This year’s race will see a total of 1231 individual athletes from 17 countries competing including 16 professional athletes and 30 teams, the largest field for a non-drafting triathlon in Africa this year.

Germiston residents and spectators will be treated to a feast of world class racing with athletes such as Henri Schoeman and Wian Sullwald who are known for their exploits on the world stage. Schoeman was part of the mixed relay team that won silver at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Schoeman, who has dominated this race over the past two years, will defend his title for the second successive year with Sullwald once again offering the strongest challenge. Rudolf Naude has shown a lot of promise this year and will also be a contender for a podium finish.

Andrea Steyn, like Schoeman, has never been beaten at the Standard Bank 5150 Ekurhuleni African Championship and defends her title for the second time after wins in 2013 and 2014. The vastly experienced Lucie Zelenkova will be tough competition for Steyn.

“We are always encouraged by how many new athletes enter this race and the team category is another great way for people to get their first taste of what triathlons are all about,” says Paul Wolff, Operations Director of IRONMAN South Africa.

Event website: www.ironman.com/5150ekurhuleni Media Contact: [email protected] Facebook: www.facebook.com/5150TriAfrica Twitter: @5150TriSA Event hashtag: #5150AfricanChamps

Running for the SPCA

The organisers of the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN are excited to welcome the Cape Of Good Hope SPCA as an event charity for 2016.


According to Sue Ullyett, event manager of the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN, a recent Facebook poll concluded that followers would like the event to support children and animals.


“With Die Burger Kersfonds already a charity of ours, we jumped at the opportunity to adopt an animal charity as well. We approached various organisations in Cape Town with the SPCA coming out tops as they work tirelessly to help animals. We are proud to welcome them as our official charity for 2016 and look forward to working closely together with them.”


“Through FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN’s support we can continue to speak for, protect and care for all animals well into the future,” says Wanika Davids, public relations officer of the Cape of Good Hope SPCA.


“The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA is the oldest and largest animal welfare organisation in the Cape. The partnership will help us to educate more people about the rights of animals, while raising awareness of the fact that helping animals can be as easy as going for a run.”


Look out for the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN team at the Wiggle Waggle Walkathon in Firgrove Way, Tokai on Sunday, 1 November 2015 in support of the Cape Of Good Hope SPCA.


Entries for the 2016 FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN will open on Sunday, 15 November 2015.
Charity Support: When entering online, runners can choose to support either or both the FNB Cape Town ONERUN Charities: The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA and Die Burger Kersfonds.

Facebook: CapeofGoodHopeSPCA / Ctown12
Twitter: @SPCACape / @CTown12
Instagram: CapeSPCA / CapeTown_12

For more information on The Cape Of Good Hope SPCA visit www.spca-ct.co.za For more information on the FNB Cape Town 12 ONERUN visit www.thecapetown12.com

Soweto Marathon 10 km route description

Participants of the 10 kilometre route will have plenty to see while they make their way around this route.

After starting on the Golden Highway, runners will turn right at the slipway onto Rand Show Road. They will then cross the N1 and turn right into Martinus Smuts Drive.

They’ll then turn right into Tau Street, right again into Mamolaeng Street before turning left into Eagle Street.

Runners will then turn left into Owl Street, then right into Tau Street and immediately turn left into Gum Tree Street. This street becomes Eben Cuyler Drive. They’ll then turn right into Makhura Street and pass a number of intersections before turning left into Rustenburg Road.

They’ll then turn right into Martinus Smuts again before turning left into Rand Show Road. After turning right into Immink Street, they’ll pass a few more intersections before turning right into Soweto Highway facing on-coming traffic (which will be conned off).

After passing the Reya Vaya Station and going over the N3, runners will again turn right onto the Golden Highway with Soccer City on their left hand side.

They’ll then turn left into Nasrec 2, then right into Landbou Street and then turn left into gate two. The finish is only 157 metres from gate two.

Marianne and Cathy taking on the trails together.

Soweto Half Marathon route description

Everyone who knows the route advises that you should keep something in reserve for the last part of the Soweto Half Marathon. And this year’s 21.098 km route is no exception.

After starting at Nasrec, the half marathon runners will turn right onto Rand Show Road and cross the N1.

Runners will then turn left into Masupha Street, followed by another left turn into Madhlala Street. After passing a number of intersections, runners will then turn right into Mosaka Street, then left into Kuse Street and right again into Tema Street.

After crossing over a number of intersections, runners then turn right into Madhlala Street and then turn left into Kinsley Sethole Street. After turning right into Mbambisa Street, runners will again pass a number of intersections before turning right into Moroka Nancefield Road.

They will then turn right into Klipspruit Valley Road and then right again into Sofasonke Street, followed by a left turn into Mooki Street. This road will take the runners past the Orlando Stadium before turning left into Senaone Street and then left again into Jolobe Street. Shortly after that, another left into Thibeng Street will take the runners to a right turn into Mofokeng Street.

Runners will then turn right into Madhlala Street and then left into Masupha Street. This will lead them through a number of intersections until they find themselves on the Golden Highway. They will then turn right into Exhibtion Road, then left into Landbou Street and right towards Nasrec’s Gate Two for the finish.

No mountains keep this Galloping Granny down.

Two more for 2016 XTERRA

Stillwater Sports, the organisers of South Africa’s leading off-road triathlon, the Fedhealth XTERRA presented by Rehidrat® Sport, are excited to introduce two fun and exciting competitions, the Fedhealth Champions Challenge and the Fedhealth Ultimate Warrior Challenge.

The Fedhealth Champions Challenge will run for the duration of the 2016 series, with the winners being announced after XTERRA Grabouw. XTERRA Full Warriors that partake in all three races (Buffelspoort, Port Elizabeth and Grabouw) stand the chance to win an all-expenses-paid trip to the XTERRA World Championships, while XTERRA Lite Warriors that partake in all three races stand a chance to win a spectacular TREK Mountain Bike.

The Fedhealth Ultimate Warrior Challenge will be event specific. XTERRA Warriors taking part in both the XTERRA Full and the XTERRA Lite races over one weekend will stand a chance to take home spectacular sponsor prizes.

“We’ve come across a number of XTERRA diehards that participate in either all three regions, or in both the XTERRA Full and XTERRA Lite races over one weekend,” says Michael Meyer, Managing Director of Stillwater Sports. “It is for these Warriors that we introduce the Fedhealth Champions Challenge and the Fedhealth Ultimate Warrior Challenge. We appreciate their unwavering support and look forward to seeing these Warriors in action at XTERRA Buffelspoort in January.”

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


The 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.

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

Soweto Marathon route description

There are a few changes from last year, but the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon promises to have the same amazing atmosphere as it had last year.

After starting at Nasrec, runners will then turn right onto Rand Show Road and cross the N1.

After crossing the N1, runners will pass landmarks that include Fons Luminis School, the Diepkloof Hostel, the Chris Hani Baragwanath Hospital, the University of Johannesburg’s Soweto Campus, the Soweto Teachers’ Training College, Pimville Shopping Centre, St Peter Clover School, the Soweto Golf Course, the Soweto Hotel, the Regina Mondi Catholic Church, the Moroka Police Station, Jabulani Mall, the famous Morris Isaacson High School, Molofo Park, South West Gauteng College, Ubuntu Kraal, the famous Vilakazi Street, the Mandela Museum, the Hector Pieterson Memorial, the Orlando Stadium, the FNB Soccer City and eventually back to Nasrec.

There will be hot spots at Klipspruit Valley Circle, on Chris Hani Road and at Chris Hani circle.

Look out for detailed routes of the half marathon and the 10 kilometre fun run on this page.