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The countdown has started to the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge (JMC), one of the highlights on the South African trail running calendar.
The fourth running of the JMC will take place on 4 May and will for the first time form part of the exciting Mountain Challenge Series (MCS) with a total prize purse of over R50 000. The main race on the day will be the 36km while there will also be shorter options – the JMC Lite 22km and the Jonkershoek Mountain Run (JMR) 10km.
The two shorter races ensure that there is something for everyone on race day, from the elites to those who are still new to trail running, but the main attraction will definitely be the “big daddy”, the 36km race between the top guns of South African trail running.
The race has gone from strength to strength since it first took place in 2011 with top runners such as AJ Calitz, Thabang Madiba, Michael Bailey, Iain Don-Wauchope, Bernard Rukadza, Katya Soggot, Landie Gryeling and Linda Doke all participating in previous years.
Last year the JMC served as the South African Long Distance Trail Running Championships and this year it will again be one of the qualifying races where the national trail running team that will compete in the USA later this year will be selected. For this reason, all the big names in trail running are once again expected to take part in this epic challenge.
Mountain Challenge Series launched
One of the most exciting aspects of this year’s race is the establishment of the Mountain Challenge Series – a three-race challenge taking place on some of the most beautiful mountains in the Western Cape with each event offering its own unique challenge.
The first race of the series, the Jonkershoek Mountain Challenge (JMC) will consist of 36km and more than 2000m of climbing. Two weeks later, on 18 May, runners will take on the Helderberg Mountain Challenge (HMC) in Somerset West. Though this race is considerably shorter than the JMC with a total distance of “only” 24km, it climbs just under 2000m in a shorter distance and many runners who have taken part in both have been known to say the HMC is actually harder. Last up in the Series is the new kid on the block, the Marloth Mountain Challenge (MMC) just outside Swellendam on 9 August. This epic race of 60km will take place for the first time this year on the closed-down Swellendam Hiking Trail and will climb almost 4000m in total.
The winner of the MCS will win R3 000 as well as prize money in every race and a Series Bonus of R5 000 if he/she wins every race in the Series. The winner of the Series can win as much as R15 000 if he/she takes top honours in every race and wins the King and Queen of the Mountain hot spot at every race.
For more information on the Mountain Challenge Series or any of the races in the Series visit the website at www.mountainchallenge.co.za
Former South African road-running star Frith van der Merwe believes the women’s record she set at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Ultra Marathon 25 years ago could be broken this weekend. The R1 million prize offered by Old Mutual could give the winners the extra push they need to fly across the finish line in record time.
Old Mutual is offering the lucrative cash bonus to both the male and female winners who break the marks held by Thompson Magawana (3:03:44 in 1988) in the men’s event and Van der Merwe (3:30:36 in 1989) in the women’s event of the 56km race in Cape Town on April 19.
Looking back on that day, Van der Merwe said she was surprised at how comfortable she felt, particularly in the latter stages of the race, and confirmed the bonus incentive of a new car had carried her to the record time.
“The car was enough to motivate me, so the R1 million bonus this year is an incredible incentive,” she said in the build-up to the annual race. “It’s going to attract very good marathon runners. It will take an athlete with natural speed to break the record.”
Van der Merwe smashed the South African standard marathon record just two months before her remarkable record performance in 1989, clocking 2:27:36 at the SA Championships in Port Elizabeth.
And she believed it would take an athlete who could dip well under two-and-a-half hours in a 42 km race to be able to challenge her Old Mutual Two Oceans mark.
Russian athletes have dominated the women’s race in recent years, led by twins Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva (who are running again this year), but nobody has come within three minutes of the record.
However, with the cash incentive on offer by Old Mutual attracting top East African runners to the race this year, Van der Merwe said this is likely to be the year her record is finally broken.
“There is a long recovery period needed after an ultra, so there hasn’t been enough money on offer in the past to motivate the top standard marathon athletes to take part every year, but this year should be different.”
Rene Kalmer, the only South African woman to have dipped under 2:30 over 42 km in the last 15 years, will line up at the Old Mutual Two Oceans Half Marathon again this year, but she has no plans of stepping up in distance to ultra-marathons in the foreseeable future.
“Unfortunately there aren’t any South African women who run ultra-marathons and have the necessary speed to break the record. I’ll be sad if the record is broken because it’s been 25 years and it’s dear to me,” adds Van der Merwe.
Mokaedi Dilotsotlhe, General Manager of Marketing at Old Mutual, says, “This is the 15th year that we are sponsoring the world’s most beautiful marathon and there’s no better way of celebrating this milestone. We can’t wait to see how the bonus R1 million prize money will push the top runners beyond boundaries in an effort to grab the big prize.”
Francois Jacobs (43) of Centurion will be competing in the Discovery World Triathlon Cape Town from 26 to 27 April at the V&A Waterfront. This is the first time that a leg of the ITU World Triathlon Series will be hosted on the continent and the first time Jacobs, who has been blind from birth, will be competing with his guide Mike Fannin. The International Triathlon Union made the announcement in November 2013 that Cape Town and Chicago in the United States of America would make their debut at the 2014 series.
Jacobs, a successful business analyst at a leading financial services company, enjoys competing in triathlon events, accomplishing an impressive list of sporting achievements. Jacobs says: “Cycling used to be my strongest discipline, but I’m enjoying the swim more and more. Nothing quite gets to the vitality of an open water sea swim!” Jacobs has finished five Ironman events, including the 70.3 Ironman and Ironman Western Australia, the Comrades Marathon and several other Olympic distance events.
Jacobs will be guided by Mike Fannin (41) of Cape Town, who runs a division of an investment advisory business. Born in Durban and raised in Port Elizabeth, Fannin has been actively participating in triathlon since August 2013. This will be their first triathlon that they tackle as a team. “I was asked by coach Steve Attwel of Embark Training to help Francois. I enjoy the swimming part the most and have done about five standard triathlons, one half Ironman and one Ironman. Sporting wise, I’m proudest of completing the Ironman.”
Jacobs continues: “I do recreational cycling, and two months ago I took up kick-boxing to increase my overall fitness. When a friend pitched the kickboxing idea, I told her that she’s mad, but after my personal trainer at Virgin Active Centurion said yes, I had my first session and I was totally hooked.” Fannin adds: “I lift weights occasionally, and am starting mountain biking. I also do some surfski paddling.”
While Jacobs often participates to raise support for the Sabona Sonke Foundation, the organisation that works to avert preventable blindness in the Eastern Cape, he will be competing at the Cape Town World Triathlon to thank Virgin Active Health Clubs for their backing. “I’m doing it in appreciation for their tremendous support getting me in my current state of fitness. My goals for 2014 is to lose another stubborn 7 kilograms,” says Jacobs. “I want to have a good finish at the Momentum 94.7 Cycle Challenge and pursue a personal best at the Eleven Global Sun City. I hope to find a guide to make Ironman 2015 my best ever.”
Fannin would like to do more of the same during this year. “I love doing triathlon and multisport. I just want to keep doing as many events as possible whilst having fun.”
Jacobs considers Bruce Fordyce, multiple Comrades Marathon titleholder and motivational speaker as well as Natascha Badmann, Triathlete champion, as his sources of inspiration. Says Jacobs: “I was very disappointed by my finish time at the 2012 SA Ironman. I worked so hard towards my personal best time. During the awards night Badmann shared how she overcome serious injury by making a conscious decision to try, and try again, until she came out on top. It was exactly what I needed at the time, and those powerful words will stay with me forever”.
Fannin concludes that Lewis Pugh is a big hero of his. “I’ve been privileged to hear him speak a few times. My family also inspire me, as they’ve always been so supportive, as well as my faith.”
The FNB Platinum Trail Run presented by ISUZU celebrates its second anniversary this year. Taking place at ATKV Buffelspoort (North West Province) on Sunday, 25 May 2014 participants can choose between a 24km, 12km and 8km route.
According to Nicola Collins, Event Manager, the exclusivity and terrain of the Platinum Trail Run are what define this event. “Runners can expect to run on some of the best trails that the area has to offer, which consist of a wide variety of terrain and spectacular views. With FNB on board as the title sponsor we have been able to raise the bar in the overall event experience. FNB’s strong client focus has allowed us to create a truly memorable experience both on the route and back at the race village. Runners can look forward to relaxing and recovering in style once they have completed their race. Each entrant will receive an awesome goody bag that will include an event t-shirt. This combined with a pristine running environment and a festive race village is what makes the FNB Platinum Trail Run presented by ISUZU an event not to be missed”.
EVENT INFORMATION:
DATE: Sunday, 25 May 2014
VENUE: ATKV Buffelspoort (North West Province)
DISTANCE:24km
12km
8km
START TIMES: 09h15 – 24km
09h30 – 12km
09h30 – 8km
For more information on the FNB Platinum Trail Run presented by ISUZU contact Stillwater Sport & Entertainment on 086 138 3591, email [email protected] or visit www.stillwatersports.com.
If Auckland is anything to go by the Cape Town race of the ITU World Triathlon Series is going be a thriller with the top triathletes in the world all gunning for glory.
Current World Champion Javier Gomez from Spain kept his undefeated streak at the Auckland World Triathlon Series intact, recording a comprehensive win over Jonathan Brownlee in the first WTS event of the 2014 season. While Brownlee pushed him for most of the run, Gomez proved too strong on the tough, hilly course and won by some 20 seconds after running away from the Brit with a few kilometers remaining. This race added another battle to Gomez’s war with the Brownlees – Alistair and Jonathan – for world supremacy.
“It was another great race in New Zealand,” said Gomez. “I felt really good all the time, the water felt good, the bike was really hard, some of us worked pretty hard to keep the gap between the second group and during the run I tried many times to drop Jonathan, he was pretty strong, but on the last lap I had something left and I just gave everything and didn’t look back. It was a pretty good race.”
The Brownlees and Gomez have been dominating the World Triathlon Series for pretty much the past two seasons. If you look for a race winner other than Alistair, Jonathan or Gomez when one of these three were in the race, you have to go back to July 2012 when South African Richard Murray got the better of Gomez in the sprint in the World Triathlon Series in Hamburg. In the past 17 WTS events there have been only six winners and only Gomez, Alistair and Jonathan have won more than one race in this time. Jonathan has won 6, Gomez 5 and Alistair 3. The other winners were Joao Silva, Steffen Justus and Murray.
Alistair, Jonathan and Gomez have dominated by taking the top 3 places three times. Alistair podiumed five times, Jonathan eight and Gomez finished an astonishing 11 times on the podium.
With both Brownlees and Gomez entered for the ITU World Triathlon Series in Cape Town, the stage is set for the next battle in the Brits’ war with the Spaniard.
South African Skyrunning Series kicks off with successful Ingeli Skymarathon®
The South African Skyrunner® Series 2014 blasted off to an exciting start with the successful staging of the Ingeli Skymarathon® this weekend.
Dubbed “the green mamba of trail running” for the several nasty “bites” of ascent the route delivered, the 42km course through the Ingeli mountain range in Kwa-Zulu Natal covered 2 100m of vertical gain, making it one of the toughest races of this distance in the province.
The race was won in 3:37:19 by one of South Africa’s up and coming trail stars Lucky Miya (Saucony), who dominated the race after overtaking early leader Jock Green (Salomon) after the 9km mark. Prodigal Khumalo (Mr Price) finished in a close 2nd place (3:42:05), followed by Lesotho Ultra Trail winner Andrew Hagan (Vibram Fivefingers) just six minutes later.
“My race strategy was to start conservatively and then pick up the pace as I needed to, depending on the competition. I realised on the first climb that I was stronger than the other guys so I pushed hard and opened a gap. The course had a good mix of steep climbs and descents, and long runnable forest sections. It’s been a dream of mine for a long time to win a skyrunning race, so I’m very excited,” said Miya.
Ladies winner Su Don-Wauchope (The North Face) ran a very strong race, leading the women’s field from the start and finishing in an impressive 5th position overall in 4:16:29. South African ultra-distance trail running champion in 2013 Tracy Zunckel (Salomon/Race Food) finished in 2nd place (4:35:42), followed by Erika Walker in 3rd position, almost a full hour behind Don-Wauchope.
The ladies race was always going to be between Don-Wauchope and Zunckel, both strong climbers and both living at fairly high altitude in the foothills of the Berg region.
“I knew Tracy was going to be strong, she always is, particularly over longer distances. I was worried I had started out too fast, but I’ve been doing a lot of hill training, and felt very strong on the ups. I approached the long descent cautiously, and once I got into the forest I tried to relax and stride out. I had a great day and had legs all the way to the finish!” said an elated Don-Wauchope.
Miya’s and Don-Wauchope’s wins secure both runners entries for the 2014 Skyrunning World Championships to be held in June in Chamonix, France.
“I’m so excited to have the chance to compete in an international Skyrunning race and be able to show the world how capable I am as a runner,” said Miya.
Being part of the South African Skyrunner® Series, points were allocated to the first 40 men and 15 women finishers of the Ingeli Skymarathon® by the South African Skyrunning Association (SASA). Next up in the Skyrunner® Series 2014 will be the Matroosberg Skymarathon® in October.
Ingeli Skymarathon® race organiser Andrew Booth says the Ingeli Skymarathon® is unique.
“The Ingeli mountain has huge allure – it’s an uninhabited wilderness of grasslands, wetlands, rocks and trails, where proteas grow, and antelope and caracal roam wild. The race was an enormous success. The front end of the men’s field was particularly competitive – there was no room to slack for Lucky and he had to push hard the whole way.”
“Intriguing mountains, enchanted forests, running streams and cascading waterfalls – The Hobbit Trail Run in the Amatola Mountains. It is a mystical and magical place that will awaken your imagination and heighten your love for the trails”. These are the words used to describe the Merrell Hobbit Trail Runs presented by Nikwax. The event, which includes the two-day 100km and one-day 38km, 16km and 5km distances, is like no other. Scheduled for the 28/29th November 2014, entries for these magical races open today.
The 100km event takes runners on a magical journey along the Amatola Hiking trail, with over 5000m of ascent, making this is one of the toughest multi-day trail running events on the calendar. The “rustic” overnight at Cata Hut makes this truly a unique experience. The two days are long, with average finishing times of 8-12 hours each day, giving the runners plenty of time to reflect on life’s subtleties, as they experience the physical, mental and emotional highs and lows that come with covering the extreme route. Entries for this unique trail run are limited to 45 runners.
While the 100km runners make their journey from the overnight hut on Saturday, 29th November, three shorter one-day events are offered around the mystical town of Hogsback in the Eastern Cape. A 38km event takes runners on a loop out and over the famous “Hogsback Mountain”, while the 16km runners do a loop in the forests surrounding Hogsback, both enjoying magical views of Hogsback. A far tamer 5km loop gives families and kids a taste of single-track trail running at its best.
Arminel Hotel provides the perfect venue for the event, with discounted accommodation on offer.
Entries for all events open at 12h00, 14th April 2014. There are limited entries available for the two-day Merrell Hobbit 100km.
Check out the www.mountainrunner.co.za for full details.
It has been just over a week since Ironman South Africa and as the body recovers, the mind starts looking for the next challenge. A handful of people complete Ironman South Africa every year and then go on to run the Comrades Marathon. Is it physically possible? The short answer is yes. Is it wise? Well, that is a whole different debate.
Comrades Marathon substitutions close at the end of April and if you’re considering doing the double then you need to listen to today’s episode of the Ask Coach Parry Podcast
The professional field at Sunday’s Ironman South Africa in Port Elizabeth put on an impressive showing in the warm and blustery conditions on the Sunshine Coast.
In the Men’s race, from the start there were only four real contenders for the title on race day. 2005 Ironman World Champion Faris Al-Sultan, Germany’s Nils Frommhold, Bas Diederen and South Africa’s rising star Kyle Buckingham were out of the water first and the rest of the field never came close to challenging them for the rest of the day. In the end it was Nils Frommhold who led from start to finish with the best swim, bike and run splits on the day that crossed the finish line first. Kyle Buckingham, who dropped down to third on his final lap of the run put in an impressive surge in the final stages to reclaim second place while the veteran Faris Al-Sultan was relegated to third with Bas Diederen claiming fourth.
The ladies race was equally spectacular with Britain’s Jodie Swallow exiting the water with the leading pack of men and once again, just like she did in 2013, put in an impressive performance on the bike. With more than an eight minute advantage heading onto the run it was fascinating to watch as the chasing pair of Lucy Gossage and Simone Brandli slowly reeled the former Ironman 70.3 World Champion in. The last lap of the run once again proved crucial as the two chasers made their move. It was Switzerland’s Simone Brandli who broke the tape first, followed by the two Brits Lucy Gossage and Jodie Swallow. You can access the full race report here but on Tri Talk SA this week Brad Brown caught up with most of the stars from Sunday’s race.