Since its inception in 2019, For The Long Run in Fisantekraal, just outside Durbanville in the Western Cape, has been on a remarkable journey to help individuals become better humans, friends, parents, family members and colleagues, all through running. Christine Le Roux, who founded the non-profit organisation and running crew with husband Gerhard, explains how it all works.
The third edition of the annual Spartan Baby Badass Ultra (SBBU) will take place in Johannesburg towards the end of April, with runners attempting this incredible challenge in order to raise funds for CHOC Childhood Cancer Foundation SA. Rob Riccardi, who has already earned two of the coveted SBBU finisher’s belt buckles, explains what the challenge is all about… and be warned, this story involves really hot chillis, fly-fishing snares, bagpipes and many, many cups of cement!
The SA Athletics Championships came to an end in Pietermaritzburg on Sunday with four athletes having added their names to the list of automatic qualifiers for the Olympic Games later this year. They were Zeney Geldenhuys and Rogail Joseph in the 400m hurdles, Benjamin Richardson in the 200m and Lythe Pillay in the 400m, while Zakithi Nene achieved his second qualifying time over 400m at these championships.
The final day’s action saw Marione Fourie claiming a fourth straight national title in the 100m hurdles, winning in a time of 13.01 seconds with Kayla van der Bergh second in 13.40 and former SA record holder Taylon Bieldt third in 13.46.
Fourie admitted afterwards: “Before the race, my brain didn’t want to get the steps in before the first hurdle so I was a little bit stressed but the time wasn’t too bad for my second race [of the season].”
Eight-time champion in the 110m hurdles Antonio Alkana withdrew from the final after overstretching his calf muscle in the warm-up. In his absence, SW Nel claimed his first ever title in 13.73 seconds, so emulating his father and coach, Wimpie, who won the SA title twice, in 1992 and 1993.
“It feels amazing. I didn’t expect it at all. All the hard work is paying off so I’m glad. I have a good coach who I trust so I’m very happy at the moment,” said Nel junior afterwards.
As for being coached by his dad, he joked: “It’s a bit of a pain in the butt because he says: ‘My time was faster,’ or ‘I did it twice.’ So I have to win it two times more and beat his time so I’m almost on his level.”
Speaking about Alkana withdrawing from the final, Nel added: “I was a bit disappointed. If he had run, I think I would have run a better time but I’m happy with the position.”
Also thrilled was his proud dad: “Words can’t describe it. It’s a very humbling feeling,” he beamed.
Meanwhile, after her second place in the 5000m earlier in the competition, Prudence Sekgodiso comfortably defended her 1500m title, pulling away from the pack just before the bell, and cruising to victory in a time of 4:13.09. Charne Swart was second in 4:16.89 and Carina Viljoen third in 4:19.29.
“The race was something else. I have a calf problem, I felt it in the 5k and I wanted to come out in the 5k but I thought – let me just finish it – but the 1500 is my event so I had to show who I am and chase for that gold medal and that’s what I did. It was nice,” she said.
“I regret running that 5k to be honest. Honestly, that was my last,” added Sekgodiso who has set her sights on breaking the SA 1500m record.
Jerry Motsau had a tougher fight on his hands to claim the men’s 1500m title 10 years after winning his first. He fended off his challengers in the final 200m finishing in 3:38.82 with Nkosinathi Sibiya second in 3:39.02 and Niel van der Merwe third in 3:39.78.
“It was a bit of a challenge but if you’re strong in your head, you pull through. I told myself I mustn’t give up, I should run through the tape, so that’s what I did,” he said.
In the field events, Kyle Blignaut defended his shot put title with a best throw of 20.36m, while Mire Reinstorf took women’s pole vault gold with a clearance of 4.15m.
Benjamin Richardson produced the largest upset of the SA Athletics Championships so far by outgunning Wayde van Niekerk to win the 200m title in a steamy Pietermaritzburg on Saturday. By Karien Jonckheere, Picture Cecilia van Bers
Van Niekerk chose to focus his efforts on the 200m event in Maritzburg rather than the 400m, in which he won Olympic gold in 2016 in world record time. But Richardson produced a speedy 20.16-second performance to outshine the veteran and take the title while also securing an Olympic qualifying mark. Van Niekerk settled for silver in 20.31.
“I could have [gone faster] but I’m more happy about the moment and the fact that I did my qualifier,” said a thrilled Richardson. “I was happy in the moment with what I did because it took so much effort and I’m just happy right now.”
As for beating Van Niekerk, the 20-year-old said he remembered the exact date he raced against him for the first time back in 2021.
“It shows that through time, things can change and three years later, I’m now first and so now I’m happy and I’m grateful for everything that’s happened – the trials and tribulations.”
Meanwhile, Lythe Pillay surprised even himself on his way to the 400m title in a new personal best time of 44.31 seconds, with Zakithi Nene also achieving his second Olympic qualifying time in the event, taking silver in 44.80.
“We’re still on cloud nine, or rather on cloud 44 right now, but I’m grateful and blessed,” said an amazed Pillay afterwards.
“Being in a very competitive lineup like that, even with Wayde [van Niekerk] not being present, I knew it was going to be a tough race. I was just here to execute and do what I had to do today.
“The plan was just to go, so from the gun have a good reaction, stay controlled, not spilling energy unnecessarily, sticking to my normal tactics, sticking to my normal strength… and everything clicked today,” added the 21-year-old who will be hoping everything also clicks tomorrow when he is writing an accounting exam.
It was a busy day for Shirley Nekhubui who doubled up in the 200 and 400m, successfully securing both titles on the same day.
Nekhubui claimed the 200m victory in 23.28 and followed that up by edging out defending champion Miranda Coetzee for the 400m title as well, winning in a time of 51.77 seconds.
Nekhubui said afterwards she is till hoping to qualify for the Paris Olympic Games in the 400m and will be aiming to do that in Europe in the coming weeks.
Glenrose Xaba completed a double of her own. She overcame the steamy KZN conditions to add the 10,000m title to the 5000m gold she won on Thursday.
In a race that saw several athletes either collapsing or dropping out, Xaba held on to win in a time of 32:56.29 for her seventh national 10,000m title.
Adriaan Wildschutt took the men’s 5000m title in a time of 13:30.38 to make it a double for the family with his brother Nadeel having claimed the 10,000m title on Thursday.
The SA Athletics Championships conclude tomorrow.
The recent SA 10km Championships delivered some fantastic performances, but also produced yet another case where our sport appeared to shoot itself in the foot! – By Norrie Williamson
The women’s 400m hurdles provided one of the highlights of day two of the SA Athletics Championships in Pietermaritzburg on Friday.
Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Zeney Geldenhuys was pushed all the way to the final hurdle by Rogail Joseph, just pulling away in the final metres to take her fourth national title in a time of 54.72 seconds with Joseph second in 54.84. Both times were below the automatic qualification mark for the Olympic Games later this year in Paris.
Claiming the bronze medal was 16-year-old star Tumi Ramokgopa who set a new South African youth record with a time of 57.04.
Geldenhuys said afterwards she was pleased to be pushed by her young rivals.
“You can’t always just go into a race and think I’m going to run and win by 100 metres so it is very exciting to know that there are girls pushing me because without them it’s difficult to run great times,” she said.
“I’m ecstatic [about the time] and I’m truly blessed to know I could run the Olympic qualifying time… but from here it’s much harder work to get the times done because if I want to run a final [at the Olympics] it need to be a 53.”
Joseph reckoned: “It was a really tough race and I’m really proud of myself because it’s the first time I was so close to the winner at SA Seniors, so I can see I’m on the right road and I’m so excited to see what more is in store for me.”
Meanwhile, Lindukuhle Gora was thrilled to get his hands on a first senior national title, winning the men’s 400m hurdles in 49.45 seconds.
Also claiming her first senior title was teenage sprinter Viwe Jingqi. The 19-year-old blitzed to the women’s 100m title in a time of 11.23, just one hundredth of a second off her PB.
“Fantastic! I thought it went great. I don’t know how to explain it but as you can see, the smile and how I’m talking… everything went well,” said a thrilled Jingqi afterwards.
While it was a first for Jingqi, it was title number six for Akani Simbine in the men’s 100m. The SA record holder powered to victory in a time of 10.01 seconds, holding off teenagers Bayanda Walaza (10.27) and Bradley Nkoana (10.29) for the gold.
“I’m just also happy to retain my title,” said Simbine, who admitted he was targeting a sub-10 second time but was unsure of the cool, slightly breezy conditions.
“For us it was trying to finish off on a sub-10 but I’m happy with a 10.01 – I can’t complain about that, I can’t complain about finishing the race healthy and now that sets me up for my next race in China next week,” he said.
Earlier in the day, 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk ran the opening race of his campaign of the SA Championships, finishing first in his 200m heat in a time of 20.57 seconds.
“It was comfortable. It felt a little bit rusty in some areas of the race, but I think once you get your legs exposed to that, those things start freeing up and the fact that I ran quite a solid time, feeling the way I did, hopefully the next two will be better,” he said afterwards.
“I think [nerves are] always there. Nerves are something that’s part of the game I guess. My wife told me – if I feel this way, how do the rest fo the guys feel? So I’m trying to use that mentally in my head. But we all have a bit of nerves, a bit of restlessness because we want to do well and be competitive so it’s very much part of the game. It’s really just about managing it and putting your best foot forward.
In other events on Friday, Cheswill Johnson claimed the men’s long jump title with a leap of 8.22m, while Brian Raats cleared 2.25m to take gold in the men’s high jump on countback.
Glenrose Xaba finally has her hands on a national 5000m title. The 29-year-old has claimed gold six times before in the 10,000m but never in the shorter of the distance events on the track. On day one of the SA Athletics Championships in Pietermaritzburg, Xaba ensured that record would finally change as she staved off the challenge of middle distance star Prudence Sekgodiso to win in a time of 15:48.44 with Sekgodiso second in 16:02.04. By Karien Jonckheere
“I’m not the [type of] person that when I’m running I’m looking back,” said Xaba of taking on Sekgodiso. “I was expecting that I would see Prudence passing me, but I was going to challenge her to the finish line because I was looking forward to achieving this gold medal. For so many years I tried to win gold in the 5000 and I did not. I just came second or got bronze so I am very excited to achieve this.”
In the only other track final of the day, national 10,000m record holder Adriaan Wildschutt’s older brother, Nadeel, claimed the gold in a time of 29:15.93. The 27-year-old was locked in battle with Puseletso Mofokeng over the final lap, eventually sprinting down the home straight to take the title with Mofokeng second in 29:19.01.
In the field events, Michelle Ngozo took gold in the high jump with a clearance of 1.76m and Rocco van Rooyen claimed the men’s javelin title (74.58m), while there was gold for Ashley Erasmus in the women’s shot put (17.27m) and Yolandi Stander in the discus (55m).
Earlier in the day, Akani Simbine continued his quest for a sixth national title in the 100m, cruising through his heat in 10.07 seconds and then slowing down slightly as the wind picked up in the early afternoon but still comfortably winning his semifinal in 10.27.
“The plan was to go sub-10 now because it’s hot and it’s the middle of the day, the track has been prepared and everything but the wind didn’t play with us,” said the two-time Olympic finalist after his semi. “As soon as they blew the whistle there was a big gust and it just kept going, it didn’t stop so it was literally changing the game plan at the line,” he added.
Meanwhile, 19-year-old Viwe Jingqi is in search of her first senior national title over 100m. She won her semifinal in 11.51 and was pleased with how her body felt, having recovered from appendix surgery and other complications last year.
“Yoh, you can see I’m very small, and that wind – I could feel it. The whole time it was just pushing me behind but honestly, I’m OK,” said Jingqi afterwards. “My body is responding now. Obviously in the morning you have to cruise when it’s heats – you cannot go full-out, and I tried to get the extra gear this time but the wind was just doing whatever. But to be honest, I feel OK. My body is getting there. It’s exactly where I want it to be actually.”
Athletics action continues at Msunduzi Stadium on Friday, with both 100m finals scheduled for the afternoon.
Tatjana Smith is in a happy place. The former Tatjana Schoenmaker is newly married, swimming fast again, and on top of the world – literally. That’s after rising to the top of the world 200m breaststroke rankings at the SA Swimming Championships in Gqeberha last week.
Image credit Anton Geyser/SA Sports Images
Her time of 2 minutes19.92 seconds in the heats placed her third in the world, and she bettered that in the evening final, swimming 2:19.01 to not only take top spot but achieve her fastest time since that memorable day back in 2021 when she clinched the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo.
Speaking on the pool deck at the end of the meet in Gqeberha, the 26-year-old explained that she was still recovering from a grade two groin tear. But even that couldn’t hold her back.
“I’m very grateful that it hasn’t flared up and I’m still feeling strong and my times are looking insane for what the past three weeks have looked like in my life,” she said, adding that she was advised not to compete in the national championships.
Meanwhile, explaining her thinking behind her name change, Smith said: “I have this slogan… ‘Swimming is what I do, it’s not who I am.’ And that’s why I changed my surname because I don’t want my identity to lie in swimming.
“People know me as Tatjana Schoenmaker and I really felt like that’s not who I am, that’s just a surname and I’ve grown into a different person, I’m not the person I was in 2021 and I just want to embrace it.”
After the highs of Tokyo where Smith won her 200m breaststroke gold in a then-world record time and also claimed silver in the 100m breaststroke, her form dropped off slightly, beaten by her teenage rival, Lara van Niekerk, at the next year’s national championships in the 100m breaststroke.
“I obviously reached the highest thing in swimming and after that I really, really did struggle coming out.
“Being beaten the next year at nationals was not the greatest, but those are the things that you come out of and it’s not about the achievement it’s about finding the joy in the sport.”
Smith said even at her lowest, she did not feel completely lost.
“I am very much about my faith, and I think in those times where I felt hopeless there was always light, I never really gave up, and I knew it might take some time, and everyone’s roads aren’t straight, there are always obstacles, and I just had to push through and know that there’s a reason for those obstacles.”
Smith admitted that things in her life look very different now, with husband Joel (Springbok captain Siya Kolisi’s brother-in -law) by her side.
“A lot of things in my personal life have also changed, I met my husband, so I think all those things build up, it’s that comfort of home. With my parents leaving after the Olympics, and emigrating [to the Netherlands], that was also a massive adjustment, so I’ve finally found home. I think it’s just those times when I’m out of the pool where do I find my comfort, and I think that’s what made the difference.
“It doesn’t mean that I’m going to swim amazing times and break records again but for me, it’s just knowing that I’m improving and that it’s going better, I feel happier, and ja, I think that’s all that matters, that you’re actually enjoying the sport. I don’t want to do it and be miserable, so I’m finding that joy in swimming again.”
Gqeberha, 4 April 2024 – PUMA is introducing a NITRO™ VAN to enable runners to engage with the brand’s comprehensive range of NITRO™ running shoes at Absa Run Your City 10km races and at a series of 5km warm-ups.
The NITRO™ VAN, which houses about 200 pairs of running shoes, will be unveiled at the Gqeberha 10km on 7 April and will also attend future Absa Run Your City races in Cape Town (12 May), Durban (7 July), Tshwane (25 August) and Johannesburg (24 September), as well as at PUMA NITRO™ RUNS.
The PUMA NITRO™ RUNS, which take place in the lead up to the Absa RUN YOUR CITY Series 10km races, provide a platform for runners and walkers to test out PUMA’s latest range which includes the Magnify, Liberate, Velocity, Deviate and Fast-R2 NITRO™ running shoes.
PUMA’s dedicated technical team will be on-site, offering guidance to ensure every participant identifies the shoe that aligns with their unique running style and requirements. Participants in these fun 5km run/walks can also win prizes including a pair of PUMA Velocity NITRO™ 3 running shoes.
The NITRO™ VAN will also facilitate engagement with PUMA retail partners across the country.
South Africa, April 5, 2024: Today, adidas Running announces an all-star line-up of athletes, new race distances and speed-focused course updates for the fourth iteration of its annual Adizero: Road to Records event, held at the brand’s headquarters in Herzogenaurach, Germany on April 27, 2024
Renowned for attracting top-tier athletes from across the globe, this year’s line-up brings 120 world class adidas athletes from 26 countries to compete in the newly-established 800m and 1 mile races, as well as the 5K and 10K. The races will take place on a specially designed course around the adidas World of Sports campus, with the aim of pushing the limits of speed. Among the confirmed participants is the current 10KM world record holder Agnes Ngetich of Kenya, former 5KM world record holder Senbere Teferi of Ethiopia, Yomif Kejelcha of Ethiopia, Jacob Krop of Kenya and 1-mile WR holder Hobbs Kessler of United States.
Gauteng-based middle-distance sensations, Ryan Mphahlele, and KZN-based rising star, Tayla Kavanagh, will represent South Africa in Herzogenaurach.
Ryan is force to be reckoned with in the realm of athletics, showcasing remarkable prowess across track, Cross-Country, and road racing, particularly excelling in the 5km distance. Mphahlele’s relentless pursuit of excellence sees him setting his sights firmly on the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics. Familiar with breaking barriers, Mphahlele made a significant mark at the Adizero Road to Records event in 2023, clinching 5th place while shattering the South African record in the 5km.
Tayla Kavanagh has already carved a notable niche for herself in the realm of middle-distance running, clinching two national road running titles by the tender age of 22. Not one to shy away from breaking barriers, Kavanagh made her mark at the 2022 Adizero Road to Records event, finishing in a notable 15th place.
For the first time, the elite race course has been updated to be entirely run on tarmac and asphalt – removing the artificial grass sections from previous years – to make it even faster for the athletes. With each lap spanning just over 1.3km in distance around iconic adidas campus buildings, including Arena, Laces and Halftime, the course is set to be a visual spectacle for both athletes and spectators alike. Viewers from around the world will be able to watch the action unfold via the live stream on the adidas Running YouTube channel – last year’s event live stream generated over 75,000 views to date.
On race day, there will be a number of special guest appearances, including adidas legend Haile Gebrselassie, adidas athlete Joan Chelimo, football legend Alessandro Del Piero and the German Paralympic Athletics team. Following the conclusion of the elite races, there will be an Adizero: Road to Records 5k Run available for public participation, welcoming adidas employees, partners, adidas Runners and members of the public.
“For athletes, runners, running fans, employees, media, influencers, sport and business partners, Adizero: Road to Records means so much more than just a day of racing; it’s a celebration of athletes and sport at its best. It honors the top performances in the elite races, and the unyielding competitive spirit at the heart of our brand, while celebrating all types of runners in the 5km run, from PBs-seekers to beginners,” said Alberto Uncini Manganelli, General Manager Running & Credibility Sports at adidas. “This event shows our relentless commitment to drive sport and performance to new, unseen and unexpected levels, to make the best products for all runners – it unites us, our teams, athletes and partners to the same mission. I’m very honored to be a part of it.”
This year, for the first time, adidas has created a limited-edition Adizero: Road to Records race pack which all athletes will be wearing on race day in honor of Agnes Tirop of Kenya. The race kit includes 8-pieces of Adizero apparel and footwear – special editions of the Adizero Takumi Sen 10 and Adizero Adios Pro 3, as well as crop-tops, shorts and singlets. The leopard print designs and bright colorways are inspired by the race kit Agnes wore at Adizero: Road to Records in 2021, when she broke the women-only 10K world record.
The late Agnes Tirop pictured winning the women’s 10K race and breaking the women-only world record at Adizero: Road to Records in 2021
The race pack was designed with the ambition to raise awareness for the issue of gender-based violence against women and to keep Agnes’ legacy alive, with a portion of the proceeds going to Tirop’s Angels – an organization set up by family members, fellow athletes and friends of Agnes following her tragic death in 2021.
Experience fast with the Adizero franchise available from March 28, 2024 via the adidas app, online at www.adidas.co.za and selected retailers. Follow the conversation on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter using #RoadToRecords and @adidasrunning.