Category: News

The Modern Athlete Running Club is already up and running in Central Gauteng, and today we got the go-ahead to launch our second branch. (And more are coming soon!)

The light blue vest of the Modern Athlete running club is going to be seen more and more on the roads of Pretoria and surrounds now that the Gauteng North branch of the club has been approved by the Athletics Gauteng North provincial body. The virtual club with a real presence was launched earlier this year with the initial branch in Central Gauteng, and some of our athletes were already in action in their new colours in the recent Comrades Marathon. Now the second branch will start signing up members, and plans are in place to get branches up and running in other provinces soon.

Olympian and multiple SA Champ René Kalmer is heading up the club in Central Gauteng as our club chairperson and brand ambassador, and in Gauteng North the go-to person will be top trail runner and Comrades silver medallist Bennie Roux. But the club is by no means just for elite athletes – anybody can join, whether you are a regular ultra-marathoner or a beginner just getting into racing. The club will cater for all, and provide a great social vibe at events.

For the rest of this year new members of either branch of the club will pay just R500 – that’s a 50% discount – which will give them a club vest, provincial licence number and postal subscription to Modern Athlete magazine, plus they will qualify for a number of extra benefits, including
• Individualised training programmes focused on selected events.
• Personalised nutritional programme based on your activity levels and nutrition requirements.
• Free entry to the Modern Athlete Chill Zones at partnered events.
• Great discounts and rewards from our partners on running gear, travel, entry fees and more.
• Free Access to Modern Athlete Seminars, featuring leading personalities and experts.

To sign up or get more info, go to www.modernathlete.co.za/page/the-modern-athlete-club or mail [email protected].

PS: Meet Bennie at Old Eds!
All prospective new members of the club as well as Modern Athlete readers are invited to stop by the Modern Athete Chill Zone at the Old Eds Half Marathon on 10 August in Johannesburg to meet Bennie and get more info on the club.

Running in her Modern Athlete colours, Rene Kalmer ran away with the win in the popular Momentum Cape Times Knysna Forest Half Marathon on 11 July). She clocked 1:19:09 to win comfortably from Andre Steyn (1:23:44), who was gunning for the win in the Big Five Challenge that encompassed five different events in the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival, while third place went to recent Comrades Marathon runner-up Charne Bosman (1:24:23).

The men’s half marathon title went to Tshepo Ramonene of Lesotho in 1:06:06, who outkicked Etienne Plaatjies (Nedbank) in the final kays to win by a clear minute. Third place went to top trail runner Michael Bailey, now running in RAC colours, who crossed the line in 1:12:24. The next two positions went to more Big Five contenders, Travis Johnston and Stuart Marais.

The Knysna Forest Marathon is one of the toughest on the SA calendar, but Lesotho’s Tsepang Ramonene made light work of it to win in 2:25:28, well ahead of Eric Sigxashe (2:34:55), who was followed home by former Two Oceans Ultra-marathon winner George Ntshiliza (2:37:41) and local hero Lindile Tokota (2:42:34). The women’s race was a considerably tighter affair, with Candice-Lee Davison of Harfield Harriers taking the win in 3:23:05 and being followed home by Nedbank’s Ursula Frans (3:23:27) and Helen Squirrell (3:23:36).

On Wednesday night sprinter Akani Simbine became only the second South African to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m sprint when he clocked 9.99 seconds to win the event at the 20th European Athletics Classics Meeting in Slovenia. He was followed home by Pretoria-based Tuks High Performance Centre teammate Henricho Bruintjies, who was second in 10.15.

If the statistics on Wikipedia are correct, Simbine is only the 103rd sprinter ever to run under 10 seconds, and only the second after Simon Magakwe clocked 9.98 at last year’s South African Championships in Pretoria. The first ever sub-10 was run by Jim Hines of the USA in 1968 in Mexico.

Before Simbine departed to compete internationally, the Tuks/hpc athlete at first said his main goal for the season was to break 10 seconds. “However, when I started competing I had second thoughts and changed my goal to focusing on running the perfect race instead. I reckoned that if I managed to run the perfect race, sub-10 seconds would happen automatically.”

“For me being a good sprinter is all about consistency. This means that I do not chase fast times any longer, but rather focus on making sure that I do the small things right. This means that I focus on running the perfect race. I am still under pressure, but I do not allow it to ‘sit on my shoulders’,” said Simbine, who ran a time of 10.02s at last year’s national championships.

At the same meet, SA’s Rynhardt van Rensburg finished second in the 800 metres in a time of 1:45.40, while Justine Palframan finished second in the 200 metres in a time of 23.36s.

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.
 

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.

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.

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.