Category: News

Caroline Wöstmann, winner of both the 2015 Comrades and Old Mutual Two Oceans ultra-races, has set herself a new challenge: She wants to qualify for next year’s Olympic Marathon.

She has been invited to compete in the New York Marathon in November and Lindsey Parry, head coach at the High Performance Centre (HPC), said much will depend on her performance in New York. “If Caroline manages to run a time close to or faster than 2 hours and 35 minutes, I think next year’s Olympic Marathon will be our next goal. I would then like her to run a second marathon round about April next year, where her goal should be to run a time as close as possible to 2 hours and 30 minutes. If she manages to do that, she will probably be one of South Africa’s top-three female marathon athletes.”

Wöstmann’s current best marathon time is 2 hours and 44 minutes, which means that the Nedbank runner will have to improve by nearly 14 minutes during the next 11 months, but if she has proven anything this year, it is that she is not one to shy away from a challenge, and she says she likes the challenge of setting herself a goal and then working hard towards achieving it. “Every time I thought about the Comrades I visualised winning, so nothing is impossible. The only limitations we have are the limitations we put on ourselves, and I will never limit myself by saying I am not capable of doing something. I strive to give it my best and if I don’t succeed it is OK. It is not the end of the world. All that matters is that I enjoy what I am doing.”

“After winning the Comrades it feels as if I have achieved my ultimate goal. Obviously Comrades will still be there next year, but I feel I should challenge myself by doing something else, something new which I have not done before. I like the uncertainty of pushing the boundaries, not knowing whether it is possible to break through.”

Following his recent Comrades 2015 win, Gift Kehele has a new target in sight; to conquer South Africa's iconic Table Mountain by racing the 100km Ultra-trail Cape Town (UTCT) on 3 October. The route embraces various technical terrains and includes a total climb that is more than a Mt Everest ascent.

Trail running has seen major growth in the last decade, with notably increased interest in the 100km to 100-mile races, in which Europeans and Americans seem to dominate. “We are very excited from a South African perspective to see the likes of Gift wanting to run ultra trails,” says UTCT race director Nic Bornman. ”Beyond our own event, we want to find and launch South Africa's best talent into an ever more competitive international landscape. The word development springs to mind, but if you look at the South African performances at this year’s Comrades, it is clear that our runners need more exposure, rather than development. The talent pool runs deep.”

After winning last year’s UTCT in 10H41, Eric Ngubane said he believes it is possible to run the course in under 10 hours. “I just need to be pushed,” he added. Says Bornman: “To be honest, it’s hard to predict what the guys are capable of these days. Each year, mountain ultras are increasing in popularity and with the crossover from other running disciplines, the bar keeps being raised higher and higher. We are excited at the possibility of the elites going under the magical 10-hour mark.”

Kehele is quite aware of the difference between Comrades and a race like UTCT. “I have heard it’s a tough but beautiful course, so it will be a good challenge for me. Mountain running is quite different to the races I usually do, so I am excited about going to Cape Town and giving this one a shot.” His coach, John Hamlet, is confident that Gift will be ready. “Changing the game from road to trail makes for fresh thinking, and the training we do in Dulstroom is really trail running. Determination and commitment are a daily norm.”

This year Ngubane returns to defend his title as he toes the line with Kehele and Jordanian desert running specialist Salameh al Aqara. Some of the other men’s hopefuls are Andrew Hagan, Jock Green, Christiaan Greyling and Nic de Beer. The women’s field is also shaping up as one that will be too tight to call, with Sally Mcrae (USA) and Stephanie Case (Canada) set to line up with Landie Greyling and Linda Doke, both racing UTCT for the first time, along with last year’s first and second place finishers, Nicolette Griffioen and Chantel Nienaber.

For more information as well as race entries, please visit www.ultratrailcaptown.com or follow the event on Facebook and Twitter.

Defending champion Lebogang Phalula sprinted the last kilometre to win the Durban leg of the Spar Women’s Challenge in 33.36 minutes on Sunday morning.

Phalula ran much of the race alongside Nolene Conrad, who finished second in 33.39 minutes. Rutendo Nyahora was third in 33.53.

There was a lengthy delay at the start of the race because of a safety issue, and a number of athletes complained that they were concerned about running hard, because they were not properly warmed up. They said this was why times were not as fast as had been expected.

“It was a tough race,” said a beaming Phalula.

“I ran with Nolene for much of the way. She pulled away from me at about eight kilometres, but I knew that I had the speed to overtake her if she was still in sight. My body was feeling good, and so I sprinted the last bit to win. I was pleased it was Nolene and not Rutendo, because I don’t think I could have passed her. ”

Phalula, who won the race last year as well, said she was very happy with her win.
“I love the Durban race, and I also love the Johannesburg one, because that’s where I have won,” she said.

Conrad was delighted with her podium finish, which was only her second.

“It’s the first time I’ve been in contention to win,” she said.

“We didn’t start too fast, and Lebogang and I pulled away from the pack at about 4.5kms, and then I ran away from her. But she sprinted past me, and there was nothing I could do. But I’m very happy to have finished second.”

Nyahora was also very pleased with her run.

“Everything went according to plan. I love the course – it’s pretty flat, and really suits me.”
Phalula’s twin sister, Diana-Lebo, who won the Port Elizabeth leg of the Challenge series last month, finished in sixth position. Sisters Christine and Rene Kalmer, finished fifth and seventh respectively, while Cornelia Joubert came fourth.

Former Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl, who is expecting a baby in September, delighted everyone by coming ninth – her second top 10 finish this year.

There have been three different winners for each of the Spar races this year, with Mapaseka Makhanya winning in Cape Town. Makhanya finished 19th in Durban on Sunday. She said she had a left Achilles injury, and had only run the race because she wanted to earn Grand Prix points.

With different winners and podium finishers in the three races run so far, the battle for top spot on the Grand Prix ladder is still wide open. The next Challenge race is in Pretoria on August 29. The final race will be in Johannesburg in October.
 

Seagull Travel is proud to present the inaugural Jeffreys Bay Xtreme (JBayX) 2-day / 3-event Trail Run, which forms part of the 2015 Jeffreys Bay WinterFest

The JBayX is unique in concept, entailing 3 individual Trail Runs, all starting 12-hours apart, showcasing the best of the Jeffreys Bay area. The total distance covered will be just over 60km and will surely test the mettle and endurance of all participants.

Day 1 will kick off at 7:00am on Saturday 11 July 2015, with a 20Km Trail Run in the Kabeljous Lagoon / Nature Reserve area, followed at 7:00pm, by a 20Km Night Trail Run at Impala Ranch, with part of the route taking runners under the majestic wind turbines of the Jeffreys Bay Wind Farm.

Day 2 will get under way only 12 hours later at 7:00am on Sunday 12 July 2015, with a 20Km Trail Run in the Seekoeirivier / Aston Bay area. The days event will start and finish at the Happy Hippo Farm on the banks of the Seekoeiriver.

All event venues will have ample entertainment for family and supporters, as well as food and drinks.

Enter the JBayX Challenge, complete all 3 events and earn your coveted JBayX Finisher Shirt, or simply enter any or all of the 3 runs individually.

A 4Km ‘fun’ Night Trail Run/Walk will be presented on Saturday Night, 12 July 2015, starting at 7:20pm at Impala Ranch. This will be suitable for families, friends, supporters and 1st time Trail Runners.

This event is presented in aid of NSRI, with part of your entry fee donated to the local NSRI (Sea Rescue) Base in Jeffreys Bay. When purchasing your tickets, you will also have the option to make an additional donation to this worthy cause.

More information is available on our website www.jbayx.co.za and online entries are open via EntryTickets –

www.entrytickets.co.za/eventview/jbayx

Late entries will be accepted on Friday 10 July 2015 from 16:00 to 18:00 at NSRI Sea Rescue Station 37 MTN Tower on Diaz Road, as well as before each race, but will close 60 minutes before the start of the event, so get there early.

Any additional enquiries can be directed to Rieghard on 071 896 6831.

The JBay Winterfest is supported by Woodlands Dairy, RVCA, Oakley and the Kouga Municipality.

Wenda Nel opened her international campaign at the IAAF World Challenge in Beijing on Wednesday by winning the 400-hurdles in a new personal best time of 54.37s

The Tuks/hpc-athlete’s winning time was 0.45s faster than her previous best time of 54.82s which she ran in Marrakech, Morocco, last year. It is the fifth time that she has managed to run a time faster than 55 seconds. Myrtle Bothma (53.74s –1986) and Surita Febbraio (54.05s –2003) are the only other South African athletes who were able to run faster times.

Nel timed her race to perfection. Lashinda Demus (USA) led the race for the first 200 metres but Nel took the lead at the second last hurdle.

Tiffany Williams (USA), a former Olympian, finished second in 55.22s, with Demus third in 55.86s.
Just before she flew out to Beijing on Sunday, Nel was confident of running a fast time.

“My training went well and I can feel in my legs that I am capable of running a good race. But I am not going to pressurize myself by becoming obsessed with running fast times. I know that if I can stay focussed and do the small things right a fast time will happen.”

Nel, who was a finalist at last year’s Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, has set her sights on reaching the finals of the World Championships in Beijing as well.

“I know it will require much hard work and huge sacrifices to do so, but it can be done.”
According to Nel, her approach will be somewhat different if she should get another opportunity to represent South Africa at the World Championships or at next year’s Olympic Games in Rio.
“I have learned that it is important not to allow people’s great expectations to get the better of you.”
Nel is going to be quite busy over the next 25 days. She is planning to compete in Ostrava on 26 May, which will be followed by meetings in Prague (8 June) and Rabat (14 June). However, there is a possibility that everything could change because she is shortlisted to compete at the Oslo Diamond League Meeting (11 June). She is also playing with the idea of maybe competing in one 400m race while she is based in Germany.

“It will be a good way to keep my legs going,” said Nel. At the SA Open in Potchefstroom she won the 400m in a time of 52.09s

Khotso Mokoena finished second in the triple jump with a distance of 16.67m. Cuba’s Alexis Copello won with a jump of 16.70m.

I use to watch Comrades on TV and never dreamed to run it, as we were told that you need to train 1000 kilometers before you can attempt to run.
I 2012 I missed the qualifying by 16 seconds at Sarens marathons and never looked back. I immediately started training for 2013 comrades on my own.
I qualified with a C- seeding but failed to run a good time, I finished in 11:43. 2014 I received my back-to-back medal and finished 11:53.
It was only then I realized that what I was told was correct and I met one of the Comrades champ, Ludwick Mamabolo. He inspired me and believed in me. He gave me information to meet Khotso to assist me with coaching. Since November 2014, I have been training smart and will be running a sub 8 hours comrades this year.
I am running to establish a road running club in Taung, where I come from, if I achieve this goal, I will be sending runners to comrades marathon in 2017.

I can safely say I am living my comrades dream. Thanks to all the volunteers and CMA for making this possible in my lifetime.

WORDS: Barry Tanner

The third fitCal Night Trail Run was held on Monday 18 May at the picturesque Country Club Johannesburg in Woodmead. Runners could choose between a gentle 5km route and a more grueling 10km.

With cash prizes up for grabs for the first three men and ladies in both distances, racing up front was pretty serious with some remarkable times being produced. Most notable was young Daniel Ellis who destroyed the 5km field winning in a very impressive time of 20:32, a full minute and 17 seconds ahead of the 2nd placed runner.

First in the 10km race was Sello Ramaloko in a time of 40:39. Sello and Daniel were both defending their crown having won their respective race at the previous fitCal night run in March.

The majority of the field was out there to enjoy themselves and that certainly seemed to be the case judging by the smiles caught on camera along the route and especially at the finish. Although that might have been relief at the sight of the Energade arch and thoughts of the free Energade.

The fitCal Night Trail Run is going from strength to strength with a great mix of competitive running and fun. Keep your eye on the fitCal Facebook page for details of the next event. They are certainly worth entering!

Runners can find their results here. 

A provisional SA squad has been announced to compete at the World Champs in Beijing this August. Athletes will still be able to qualify until 10 August 2015. 

SA senior squad for the IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China (22-23 August, 2015):

Men: Akani Simbine (100m/200m), Roscoe Engel (100m), Henrico Bruintjies (100m), Gideon Trotter (100m), Anaso Jobodwana (200m), Wayde van Niekerk (200m/400m), Lebogang Moeng (200m), Berend Koekemoer (400m), Ofentse Mogawane (400m), Jon Seeliger (400m), Andre Olivier (800m), Rynardt van Rensburg (800m), Johan Cronje (1 500m), Dumisane Hlaselo (1 500m), Jerry Motsau (1 500m), Stephen Mokoka (5 000m/10 000m/marathon), Dikotsi Lekopa (3 000m steeplechase), Tumisang Monnatlala (3 000m steeplechase), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Ruan de Vries (110m hurdles), Cornel Fredericks (400m hurdles), LJ van Zyl (400m hurdles), Wouter le Roux (400m hurdles), Mpho Links (high jump), Chris Moleya (high jump), Cheyne Rahme (pole vault), Eben Beukes (pole vault), Heinrich Smit (pole vault), Zarck Visser (long jump) Ruswahl Samaai (long jump), Khotso Mokoena (triple jump), Orazio Cremona (shot put), Jaco Engelbrecht (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus throw), Russell Tucker (discus throw), Willem Coertzen (decathlon), Fredriech Pretorius (decathlon), Lebogang Shange (20km walk), Wayne Snyman (20km walk), Marc Mundell (50km walk), Lusapho April (marathon), Benedict Moeng (marathon)

Women: Carina Horn (100m), Justine Palframan (200m/400m), Rorisang Ramonnye (400m), Caster Semenya (800m), Rikenette Steenkamp (100m hurdles), Claudia Heunis (100m hurdles), Wenda Nel (400m hurdles), Anneri Ebersohn (400m hurdles), Lynique Prinsloo (long jump), Carla Marais (long jump), Patience Ntshingila (triple Jump), Matsie Dikotla (triple jump), Zinzi Chabangu (triple jump), Sunette Viljoen (javelin throw), Anel Oosthuizen (20km walk), Rene Kalmer (marathon), Mapaseka Makhanya (marathon), Christine Kalmer (marathon), Tanith Maxwell (marathon), Jenna Challenor (marathon), Zintle Xiniwe (marathon)

Bouncy Mapaseka Makhanya has retained her position at the top of the SPAR Grand Prix ladder, despite finishing eighth in the second Spar Women’s 10km Challenger in Port Elizabeth on Saturday.

Makhanya’s record-breaking win in Cape Town gave her a head start in this year’s Grand Prix series. Her 10 bonus points for breaking the Cape Town record means she earned 30 points in the first race, and 13 in Port Elizabeth, for a total of 43 points. She is six points ahead of her nearest rival, Lebogang Phalula, who finished third in Cape Town and second in Port Elizabeth, for a total of 37 points.

Phalula’s twin sister, Diana-Lebo, won the Port Elizabeth Challenge, but she was unable to run in Cape Town, because she was representing South Africa in the world cross-country championships in China that weekend. She is in sixth position with a total of 20 points, and has some way to catch up with runners who competed in both races. Last year’s Grand Prix champion will be ruing her failure to break the record, which would have earned her bonus points that would have pushed her up the ladder.

The Kalmer sisters, Rene and Christine, are in third and fourth position, with 33 and 30 points respectively, while Cornelia Joubert is in fifth position with 29 points.

Two times winner of the Grand Prix, Irvette van Zyl, who is in joint eighth position with Thembi Baloyi, on 18 points, will be particularly delighted with her position. Van Zyl is expecting a baby in September, but says she wants to run as long as is possible.

Makhanya won the Grand Prix in 2013, but had a quiet year in 2014. However, she made it know that she wanted to reclaim the title this year, and will make every effort to run all five races.

The Grand Prix series was introduced in 2007, and has become South Africa’s biggest and most prestigious women’s road-running series. The top runners in the five Challenge races held around the country earn Grand Prix points from each race. The 2015 winner will pocket a cheque for a whopping R150 000. The second prize has been increased by R20 000 to R50 000, and the third prize is now worth R30 000. There are cash prizes for the top 15 runners on the points table, making it worthwhile for runners to compete in all five races.

The next Challenge race is in Durban on June 7.

WORDS: SARAH HEARN

“This is a big one” nodded Richard Ayres with wild eyes, 40km and 10 hours into the Merrell Hobbit 100.

The trail lends itself to superlatives and exaggerations but his understated affirmation captures the essence of this legendary race. It is a passage up and across the Amathole mountains, through waterfalls and indigenous forests, over magic mushrooms and under massive yellow woods. More than that, it a trek deep into one’s own self, searching for the spirit and strength to move relentlessly onward and upward, to resist the temptation to sit down and curse with the goblins this treacherous way.

27 brave souls set off and just 17 completed the full course of this ultra-tough two day traverse. From Maden Dam at dawn – to long after dusk for some of them – they ran, stumbled and trudged to arrive at Cata Hut and lay claim to a bed after a hot shower and very welcome dinner. The next morning promised the descent into the village of Hogsback and the finish line at Arminel Hotel, but with the Hog standing firmly in their path they still had a further 2100m to climb up and over.

On their way back they were joined by competitors tackling the shorter, but no less technical, 38km and 16km routes, possibly the most difficult for their distance races in the country and in the words of one seasoned athlete “The best value per kilometre” in terms of terrain, views and overall experience.

The Merrell Hobbit weekend, presented by Nikwax, in this magical pocket of the Eastern Cape attracts runners who aspire to Live the Adventure. The event organisers, Tatum Prins and Graham Bird of Mountain Runner Events are both accomplished adventure racers and ardent advocates of an outdoor, active lifestyle. They designed the 5km fun run specifically to introduce and encourage new feet onto the trails. Local resident Landile Malamlela quickly sourced an alternative to his flip flops when Graham offered him a free entry after he showed interest during the set up and came flying into first place with a time of 23:27 followed by several speedy and sure footed juniors from all over, signalling an exciting future for the sport in our country.

Beyond PBs, each route in this event inspires a person to give their best and by that, be their best.

Congratulations to everyone who made it past the start, and the winners of the 100km; Steven Erasmus and Christine Coppinger. Jade Muller and Lizani Grant won the 38km and Rory Scheffer and Alexia Loizou headed the 16km. All results and superb photographs from Bruce Viaene are on “MountainRunnerEvents” Facebook page and www.mountainrunner.co.za