Category: News

With two races to go in the SPAR Grand Prix Series, Diana-Lebo Phalula still appears to have the title in her grasp, with a commanding 27 point lead over her nearest rival.

Phalula finished fourth in the Durban SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge on Sunday, but her dominant performance in the first two races of the year, in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth, where she achieved maximum Grand Prix points by winning both in record times, mean that she has collected a total of 77 points.

Phalula’s twin sister, Lebogang, won the Durban race after she and Diana-Lebo had led for most of the way. With about two kilometres to go, Diana-Lebo, who had a hamstring strain, told her sister to go without her and Lebogang raced away to win her first Challenge title since 2008. She broke down in tears as she crossed the line, sobbing that she had won the race for her sister.

While Diana-Lebo Phalula appears to have at least one hand on the key to the Nissan Micra that will be presented to the Grand Prix winner, the race for second place is hotting up. Three times Grand Prix winner, Rene Kalmer, who came third in Durban, is currently in second place, with 50 points, just one point ahead of last year’s Grand Prix winner, Mapaseka Makhanya, who finished sixth in Durban.

Lebogang Phalula’s win on Sunday has moved her from sixth to fourth position on the log, with 39 points, nine ahead of Nolene Conrad and Christine Kalmer, who have 30 points each.
Saturday’s Challenge race in Pretoria appears likely to be as much of a thriller as the Durban race. The top runners will all be in action, and with just one race after that, they will be going all out to accumulate as many points as possible. Irvette van Zyl, two-times Grand Prix winner, had a disappointing run in Durban, finishing in fifth place after a scintillating run in Stellenbosch earlier in August, where she won the Totalsports women’s 10km in 32.20 minutes. She has won the Pretoria race on several occasions, and she has let it be known that she intends to win this one. The Phalula twins are also both determined to win, and Rene Kalmer can never be ruled out, while last year’s winner, Makhanya, has a point to prove.

In the club competition, Boxer are well in the lead with 165 points, followed by Maxed Elite, with 78. Nedbank and Transnet are in joint third position, with 77 points each.

Transnet runner Lebogang Phalula registered her first SPAR Women’s 10km victory since 2008 when she beat a very strong field to win the 25th Durban Challenge in 33.06 minutes on Sunday.
Rutendo Nyahora (Nedbank) was second in 33.41, followed closely by Rene Kalmer (Modern Athlete) in 33.49.

The race started at a very fast pace, with Irvette van Zyl, who recently ran the third fastest time by a South African woman, taking the early lead. She was in a pack that included Phalula, her twin sister, Diana-Lebo, and the defending champion, Mapaseka Makhanya.

They ran in a group for the first three kilometres, when the Phalula sisters broke away. By five kilometres, they were well ahead of the pack, with Lebogang taking the lead over Diana-Lebo, who is the front-runner in the SPAR Grand Prix series.

“I could see my sister was struggling. She has a bit of a hamstring injury and eventually she told me to go and win the race for her,” said Lebogang, who broke down in tears after crossing the finish line. “I needed to win this race to prove myself,” she said. “I’ve had problems after I tested positive for a banned stimulant in Pretoria, but I’m now running clean and proud.”

Nyahora and Kalmer started slower than the leading pack, but gradually began to reel them in. Van Zyl dropped back, as did Makhanya. “I had a good race,” said Nyahora. “Rene (Kalmer) and I ran together from about three kilometres. She was pushing me, and I felt stronger as the race went on. The others started too fast for me, but Rene and I worked well together. We caught Irvette (Van Zyl) first, then Mapaseka (Makhanya) and then we passed Lebo.

“I passed Rene with about 800 metres to go.” Kalmer said she was very happy with her podium finish. “It was a very strong field, and I knew it was going to be a very fast start. I just stuck to my own game plan, and it worked. “I knew there would be a lot of pressure on Irvette because of her very fast time two weeks ago, and the Phalula sisters were also under pressure. But there was no pressure on me.”

Diana-Lebo finished fourth, Van Zyl fifth and Makhanya sixth. The top runners will all be in action again in a week’s time, when they run the Pretoria leg of the SPAR Challenge series, which will be run at SuperSport Park in Centurion on Saturday afternoon. More than 14 000 women took part in the 10km Challenge and the 5km Fun Run.

With preparation for the People’s Race in full swing, Soweto and South Africa’s athletics community at large eagerly await race day set for November 2nd. Following the official announcement on 29th July, the Nike Soweto Marathon steering community is confident that the actions and procedures put into place will ensure a smooth and enjoyable experience for all those attending.

This year’s introduction of international sports brand, Nike means the Soweto Marathon and its planning committee now have the support and access to the brands wealth of experience as they take the helm of title sponsor.

The Gauteng Provincial Government will also play an important role given their expertise in hosting large scale sporting events, showcasing Gauteng as a world class sporting hub of the country.

“We support the Gauteng Provincial Governments strategy to become a race destination of choice for local and international events. With the right partners on-board we are well on our way to making the Nike Soweto Marathon a highlight on the Gauteng race calendar for years to come,” says. Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) General Manager, Mandla Radebe.

All measures have been put in place to ensure runners have an enjoyable experience, from start to finish as partners have placed high priority on the logistical components of the race. Stringent safety and security processes along with a truly inspiring route will take the event experience to new heights and restore the Soweto Marathon to its flagship status. Race day will see trained Marshalls along the route to keep runners safe as well as rapid response vehicles with a skilled supporting first aid teams on hand to help athletes along the route.

“Runners should register early to avoid disappointment as there are only 7000 spots per category, with spots anticipated to fill up quickly for the 10km, 21km and 42km marathon as registration is not available on race day. Race updates will be shared with all runners via our website, but also via Twitter @sowetomarathon,” Explains Banele Sindani, Chief Executive of the Soweto Marathon Trust.

Routes selected for the three race categories will showcase Soweto in all its beauty and rich heritage, with the start and finish based at the Nasrec Expo Centre for ease of access for participants and supporters. There will be ample parking for all runners with a dedicated team assisting to point runners to the start line on arrival and hydration stations situated every 3kms of each of the three routes.

With registration currently open for the race, running clubs registered with Athletics South Africa (ASA) are able to register for the race by simply visiting the official race website: www.sowetomarathon.com.

Athletes can also register at Nike Stores at The Zone @ Rosebank and Sandton City Mall as well as the Orlando Community Centre in Soweto, Run-aWay Store in Pretoria and The Sweat Shops in both Johannesburg and Pretoria.

After a break of nearly four months, the SPAR Women’s Grand Prix gets under way again over the next two weekends, with the Durban and Pretoria Challenge races in quick succession, and the race to the Grand Prix title is hotting up with the return to form of two-time Grand Prix winner, Irvette van Zyl.

The Durban race will be run from Kingsmead on Sunday August 24 and the Pretoria Challenge takes place on Saturday August 30 at Supersport Park in Centurion.

Maxed Elite runner Diana-Lebo Phalula has a headstart after winning the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth races. With bonus points for beating the previous years’ time in both races, she now has a massive 60 points on the leaderboard – 26 ahead of her nearest rival, Mapaseka Makhanya.
Boxer’s Makhanya, who was last year’s Grand Prix winner, finished fifth in Cape Town and third in Port Elizabeth and has a total of 34 points. She is just two points ahead of three times Grand Prix winner, Rene Kalmer of Modern Athlete. Kalmer finished eighth in Cape Town and second in Port Elizabeth. Two points behind her, with 30 points, is Nolene Conrad (Boxer), who finished third in Cape Town and ninth in Port Elizabeth.

While Phalula may feel she has one hand on the key to the Nissan Micra which will be presented to the overall Grand Prix winner, she may be casting a nervous eye over her shoulder at Van Zyl, who has come storming back into contention after struggling with injuries for nearly two years.
Nedbank’s Van Zyl gave notice on August 9 that she was once again a force to be reckoned with when she won the Totalsports Women’s race in 32.20 minutes – the third fastest 10km by a South African woman. Van Zyl’s time equaled that set up by 17-year old Zola Budd in Bloemfontein in 1983.
Van Zyl recently changed coaches and says the training programme devised by Lindsey Parry has brought her back to where she was before she was injured.

“For the first time in 15 months, I’m running pain free. Lindsey had me swimming and cycling during my rehab period, and this kept me fit. Now I’m faster than I was before my injury.
“I am feeling very good, and I am over the moon about my time in Stellenbosch. It came as a bit of a surprise – I’ve been preparing for the Cape Town Marathon in September and didn’t think I had the speed for a time like that.”

Phalula won the Port Elizabeth Challenge in 32.27, so there could be a great tussle for line honours in Durban between Phalula and Van Zyl, while Makhanya and Kalmer can be expected to give them a good run for their money in both races. “I think it’s going to be a very fast race,” said Van Zyl.
“Lebo, Mapaseka, Rene and I will all be giving it our all.”

Going up the Mountain

LAST Saturday was National Women’s Day, and members of the fairer sex played a significant role in the organisation of, and participation in, the Oak Cottage KwikSpar Mountain Drive half-marathon held in Grahamstown – even the sponsors’ Jill White was an ever present figure at the start and finish venue.
Of the 320 runners and 24 walkers who conquered the mountain in what many described as a challenging 21,1-kilometre race, no less than 133 were women.
The highly-successful event was organised by Grahamstown Run/Walk for Life Athletics Club, having taken over that duty from Albany Road Runners who had organised it for more than ten years.
Also undergoing changes were the start and finish venues, as well as portions of the route. This year’s event started and finished at Rhodes University’s Prospect sports fields, moving across town from the Albany Sports Club.
Most of the entries received were from Port Elizabeth, Uitenhage and Despatch club members, mainly because it was a participation league event held under the auspices of Eastern Province Athletics, and league points were at stake.
There were also runners from Queenstown, Somerset East, Port Alfred and East London, while a good number of Rhodes students also entered and enjoyed the tour of the city and its surrounds.
Each finisher received a very smart medal and ribbon which drew very favourable comments from participants. The medals were sponsored by the Eastern Cape Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture.
Generous cash prizes went the way of the leading finishers in the overall finishing positions as well as the various categories, while a host of spot prizes were handed out liberally.
A member of Port Elizabeth-based club Nedbank said she loved her medal, “and it was all worth it”, while a Charlo runner commented: “It’s a very nice medal – I’m proud to display it.”
Overall winner on the day was 35-year-old Lungile Gongqa with no club affiliation – he finished in 1 hour 09 minutes 01 second to set a new course record, while Mthandazo Qhna of Nedbank was runner-up in 1:10:52. In third place was Melikhaya Frans, also of Nedbank, in 1:12:11.
Basie Bonaparte of Albany Road Runners showed a clean pair of heels to many runners half his age – the 48-year-old was the first member of a Grahamstown club to finish. He finished in 1:19:29.
First woman over the finish line on what is normally a soccer ground was Ntombesintu Mfunzi of Nedbank in 1:26:50, with clubmate Babalwa Ngcoko next in 1:38:48, and Siphokazi Nojoko of Motherwell placed third in 1:39:24.
First Grahamstown woman to finish was Christine Coppinger – the former Rhodian was 74th overall in 1:43:51. Next local woman was Mandy Jackson, 87th in 1:48:41, while the third-placed was Jade de Sousa, 107th in 1:53:19.
The King and Queen of the Mountain titles went to Port Elizabeth runners – Lungile Gongqa and Ntombesintu Mfunzi respectively.
Held in conjunction with the run was a race over the same course for walkers. Overall winner was Richard Alexander of Albany in 2 hrs 22 mins 25 secs, with Andre Pienaar of Bluewater Bay runner-up eleven minutes later. Karen Davies of Grahamstown was third overall, and first woman, finishing in 2:47:49.
Organising club, Run/Walk for Life Athletics Club, extended its sincere thanks to all the sponsors of the race, and those who assisted in one form or another – Oak Cottage KwikSpar (title sponsor and sponsor of the bottles of Spar spring water handed to finishers); Tops Bottle Store; CM Heunis Building Contractors; Department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture; Health & Sport Inc (offered free massages to tired and sore muscles at the finish); Rhodes University Sports Administration for the facilities; Coca-Cola; 6SAI Battalion for providing marshals and sweep vehicle; Cameron Smailes for providing the sound system and music; Thackers Photography; plus VGHS, Round Table, Rotary, CrossFit, 6SAI Battalion and Rhodes Athletics Club for manning refreshment stations.
A group of Port Elizabeth athletes, who compete in races in that city almost every weekend, said they enjoyed the race, though they found the last four kilometres a bit tough after “climbing the mountain”. They said the refreshment stations were excellently run, the marshals did a fine job, and the medals were outstanding.

The Soweto Marathon has been revived by multiple partners led by Central Gauteng Athletics and Soweto Marathon Trust, with global sports brand, Nike, as the new title sponsor and partner of what is undoubtedly the people’s race.

The race, confirmed for November 2, 2014, will see the organisers, Central Gauteng Athletics and Soweto Marathon Trust, supported by its partners Gauteng Provincial Government, City of Joburg, Schneider Electric and the National Lottery hosting 21,000 runners on the streets of Soweto, as the race traverses past iconic landmarks and heritage sites.

“The Soweto Marathon started in 1992, and has since become a historical race and premier event on the race calendar, and with our new title sponsor and partners, we want to collectively restore the race to its former flagship status,” said Aleck Skhosana, President of Athletics South Africa.

“We are committed to delivering a running event that will re-ignite a sense of community, and continue a legacy, and are proud to welcome Nike on board as this year’s title sponsor. Our race partners share in the vision to deliver an event that is based on a structure that is credible and mirrors the manner of governance and management of other events of this magnitude.”

Nike continues to inspire and enable athletes around the world, to run faster and longer to achieve their personal best, and the brand’s partnership with the Soweto Marathon provides the perfect platform for runners to Just Do It.

Says Nike Running Brand Manager, Simi Adeagbo: “we’re excited to bring a new challenge to runners with the introduction of the 21.1 kilometer race in what was traditionally a 10 and 42.2 kilometer event. Nike is enabling the running movement and this experience is set to push runners, from novice to established, and we will be there with our Nike+ running app and run clubs to help our runners all the way to the finish line.”

The event this year has garnered the support of sport leaders, government and official media partner SABC.

Member of the Mayoral Committee for Community Development Clr Chris Vondo, says the City of Johannesburg- is ready to deliver another world class event, with the start and finish lines pegged at NASREC Expo Centre.

“The Nike Soweto Marathon is the most spectator supported marathon in the country and is an event which stimulates the socio-economic benefit within the community of Soweto, and we are committed to creating an experience for the community at large. This is the only marathon in the country that runs across a township touching key historic sites, and this is exciting for Joburg. Some of these sites play a significant role in preserving and showcasing our City’s heritage, diversity of cultures and most of all it talks to the dynamic identity of this City.”

The support of the partners is recognized by Gauteng Provincial Government, who is thrilled to have the race back.

“We are confident that the Nike Soweto Marathon will once again be acknowledged as a premium sporting event showcasing Gauteng as the home of champions as well as cultural, sporting and entertainment hub of South Africa,” said MEC of Sports; Arts; Culture and Recreation, Honourable, Ms Malebatsi Bopape.

With a large winning purse for top finishers in each category, the Nike Soweto Marathon is one of the richest races in the country. More importantly is the confirmation that the race is a qualifying event for the major ultra-marathons in South Africa.

Says race organizer, Banele Sindani of the Soweto Marathon Trust: “It is invigorating to have the resources and support of all our partners and sponsors, who understand the importance of this race to the elite runners, while putting on a great showcase for the community at large.”

Reflecting on the significance of the race, South African road runner champions, Ludwick Mamabolo, Charne Bosman and Mapaseka Makhanya, echo the sentiments of the people’s race being revived and look forward to lining up on the start on race day.

Registration for the Nike Soweto Marathon is open via the official race website: www.sowetomarathon.com

Runners can also register in store at Nike Stores at The Zone @ Rosebank and Sandton City Mall, the Orlando Community Centre in Soweto, Run-aWay Store in Pretoria, and The Sweat Shops in Johannesburg and Pretoria.

The Nike Soweto Marathon 10 kilometer race is open to runners aged 15 years and older, with the race fee pegged at R100.00 for the Open category, and R75.00 for students and grand masters. Race start is 07h00.

The 21.1 kilometer event, which starts at 06h30, is open to runners aged 16 years and older, with the race fee pegged at R130.00 for the Open Category, and R90.00 for students and grand masters.

The main event, which starts at 06h00, will be open to all runners over the age of 20 years, with the Open category race fee set at R170.00 and R125.00 for students and grand masters.

Runners will receive a race pack including their race number and a commemorative t-shirt.

You’ve heard the stories, you’ve seen them training, you’ve been inspired and you’ve been confused. We take a closer look at some insights behind this motivated group of normal people who aspire to something extraordinary.

Early mornings are for sleeping; lying in bed, snoozing or just gradually waking from a good night’s sleep – well that’s normal in most households but if you are a triathlete then it is significantly different. Early mornings for triathletes are the time to get a run in, to do a session on the stationary trainer or churn out a few extra laps of the pool all before the start of the day. This is follow by a recovery drink, a stretching session or, on some occasions, a massage from your personal sports massage therapist. And that’s just before 7am when it’s time to get the kids to school and get ready for work.

If the workday is full, then the afternoons are carefully managed to ensure that there is time for an afternoon session possibly at the running track for some quality speed work, or a “brick” session, which includes a cycle, followed immediately by a run session. For some, it is intense intervals in the pool with the local swim squad where 12 year olds are swimming faster than most sea creatures. After one of these mentally and physically taxing sessions it’s time to hit the showers (after a recovery drink) so that there is time to inhale a plate of food (low fat, high protein) meal before doing a late evening session watching videos or re-runs of last years Top 10 races.

The common question as to “why” this is the standard practice for triathletes is yet to be answered and even those who do this on a daily basis don’t and can’t give consistent and rational answers. One must assume that the answer to this question is irrelevant as more and more people are adopting and embracing this new lifestyle in order to complete the personal quest know as a triathlon. In most cases, the elation of crossing the finish line has been what has inspired most to take up this challenge. For some, it has been a desire to make a change in their life habits but for most it is about finding out more about themselves while pushing themselves to their own limits.

Triathletes are young at heart, regardless of their age, because they are letting their inner-child free when they are swimming, cycling or running. There is no limit to the amount of fun you can have while enjoying these activities and if you throw a few good friends into the mix to join you in this adventure, then you have the perfect mix to appeal to each and every one of us. The cherry on the cake, however, has to be “the race” and the hurdle that lies in front of each triathlete. They aim to go further, faster or be better than they were last time. This strong motivation inspires them to train harder, learn more, spend more on products which will help them go faster, hire coaches, massage therapists or whatever it takes to conquer the course.

So who is the typical triathlete? They range from all ages, from all backgrounds and from all walks of life for the simple reason that no one was born proficient and efficient at all three sports implying that the playing field is relatively equal for all who are prepared to sacrifice some niceties in life to achieve. It could be your neighbour, your closest friend or the next sporting superstar who are attracted to this challenge. The desire to achieve seems to consume them all and motivates them to invest time and energy into their next challenge.

If you are considering becoming part of this sub-culture then prepare for a life changing experience. You will be fitter, healthier, happier and make a greater sense of self worth. People will admire you and respect your determination and courage. You will be richer in life but poorer in money as the costs escalate in direct proportion to triathlon gadgets you wish to acquire. Prepare for an amazing experience that will take you to places you didn’t dream of going, you will meet people you never knew existed, in the strangest places but you will all speak a common language, the language of “triathlon”. The stories will be bountiful and the opportunities to learn will never end. Prepare yourself for something special. Prepare to be a triathlete.

TriRock Durban will satisfy your race needs as an athlete and provide the ultimate race experience, from beginner to Pro. Visit www.trirock-durban.com for full details.

A little mud has never scared trail runners and the more than 800 runners who showed up for the second race of the Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™ certainly proved their mettle. Those brave souls who weren’t put of by the conditions were treated to a cold, wet and windy run and got to enjoy a muddy and slippery but, most of all, fun day on the trails.

Defending champion, Bernard Rukadza and local Durbanville resident, Liandi van der Westhuyzen both claimed their second victory in the Long Course Championship. Both have made their intentions in the Series clear and it’s going to take a massive effort from their closest rivals to take the Series from them after the halfway mark.

In the Short Course Challenge 13-year-old Mia Doyle from Somerset West continued to impress and claimed her second overall win of the Series. 16-year-old Dawood Goeieman from Brackenfell improved his third place at the first race of the Series and crossed the line first to set up an interesting duel in the rest of the Series between him, Riaan Wildskut and André Afrika.

A big thanks to sponsors, Spur Steak Ranches, adidas, Protea Hotels and BOS Ice Tea for making the Series possible and to all the runners who joined us for a memorable and muddy day out!

For a full report on the event click here. Full results can be found here and more photos here.

The Series moves on to the Taal Monument and Paarl Nature Reserve this weekend and with sunny skies predicted and entries sold out already it’s bound to be another great day for trail running!

The Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™ kicked off with a bang at the Paul Cluver Estate as more than 1000 runners came out to take on the epic trailS of Paul Cluver Estate during the weekend.

Robinson takes the GLB46 Ultra
On Saturday almost 100 runners took on this magnificent ultra that makes its way up and around the Groenlandberg. Will Robinson led throughout and won the 46km race in a time of 3:51:04 while Mags Haacke won the ladies race comfortably in a time of 4:52:29.

Rukadza stamps his authority
Things most definitely picked up speed on Sunday as more than 900 runners descended on the Paul Cluver Estate to take part in the first race of the Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™.
Bernard Rukadza picked up where he left off in the summer Series and started strong in his bid to win his fifth straight Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™. He blitzed the 16km course in 1:08:59. Liandi van der Westhuyzen showed her class and took top spot in 1:27:47, almost four minutes ahead of her closest rival.

Exciting talent in the short course
It was business as usual for Riaan Wildskut as he wrapped up yet another short course victory with a blistering run. He came charging down the hill to finish the 9.1km course in only 34:07. One of the most exciting performances of the day had to have been that of 13-year-old, Mia Doyle who won the ladies’ short course in a magnificent time of 44:19.

The second race in the Series this Sunday at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve has also sold out and runners can expect another huge turnout and a fun day out.

A big thanks to all the runners who came out to Grabouw and of course to our sponsors, Spur Steak Ranches, adidas, BOS and Protea Hotels for their continued support. And a special thanks must go to the Paul Cluver Estate for opening their gates to the masses and hosting us at this beautiful property – such a privilege!

For the full race report, visit the website at www.trailseries.co.za. Follow us on Twitter @WildrunnerZA and like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/trailseries for any updates on this and other Spur Trail Series™ races.

For full results click here and for more photos click here.