What a week it’s been for the Nedbank Running Club (NRC). The tragic death of Comrades gold medallist Siphiwe Ndlela dominated the thoughts of the running community, with many runners dedicating their races and runs to him.
But despite the tragedy, athletes from the NRC still managed to achieve great results across the board. One of the biggest prizes over the weekend was awarded to Ntsindiso Mphakathi when he won the Harry Gwala District Marathon in Ixhopo in a time of 2:29, winning himself a brand new car! Mphakathi has been talking about winning this car for the past two years, and Sunday his dream finally came true.
Nedbank Running Club’s two leading ladies Charné Bosman and Gerda Steyn paved the way for the ladies at two of the country’s biggest road races. Charné won the very tough Sunrise Monster 32km in Pretoria while teammate Gerda Steyn walked away as winner at the Cape Gate Vaal Half Marathon. Both women have been very consistent with their training and have been on the podium at various races over the last couple of weeks.
Two Oceans top contender Ntombesinthu Mfunzi showed that she is in top form for the upcoming Oceans when her 30km ‘training run’ at the Uitenhage Human Race 30km landed her first place on the podium. Just a day earlier she competed at the Bay Ultra 50km where she walked away with another win. Clearly someone to watch at the upcoming Two Oceans in about three weeks.
The Uitenhage Human Race 30km was without a doubt a Green Dream Team affair with no less than 17 podium finishes across the different categories for NRC athletes. Junior Anele Voorman continued with his consistent strong performances winning his category while senior teammates George Ntshiliza won the Men’s 35-39 Category and Bulelwa Simae the 40-49 Women’s Category.
More domination from the NRC came at the Bay Ultra 50km, especially in the Senior Men’s Category with 2nd to 5th place finshes all going to NRC athletes.
At the inaugural 91.9FM Hot Legs 15/32KM in Jhb two NRC athletes performed well with Sibusiso Nzima taking first place in the Men’s Open Category and Veterans Philip Phakwayo first position in the Veterans Category.
NRC athletes showed off their speed at the Century City 10km Express in Century City. A total of 6 NRC female athletes took podium positions.
Onwards and Upwards!
RESULTS
CAPE GATE VAAL MARATHON, VAAL, 4 MARCH
Marathon
MEN
Open
4. Sampie Mokgatla (NRC) 2:43:38
Veterans
6. Mthetheleli Mhoko (NRC) 2:57:01
WOMEN
Open
10. Boipelo Orekeng (NRC) 3:44:48
Masters
6. Annelie Herbst (NRC) 4:08:05
Half Marathon
MEN
Open
7. Fussi Nkutha (NRC) 1:17:36
Grandmasters
1. Joseph Dzhuvha (NRC) 1:50:17
WOMEN
Open
1. Gerda Steyn (NRC) 1:19:18
10KM
WOMEN
Masters
3. Heather Kappmeier (NRC) 52:08
5-IN-1 UNIWISP FAST RACE, NELSPRUIT, 3 MARCH
50KM
MEN
Open
8. Martin Van Gass (NRC) 3:55:53
Half Marathon
MEN
Junior
1. Daniel Greef (NRC) 1:41:35
Veterans
3. Johan Eksteen (NRC) 1:36:37
5. Jose Ferreira (NRC) 1:40:57
WOMEN
Grandmasters
2. Isabel Pienaar (NRC) 2:26:27
UITENHAGE HUMAN RACE 10/30KM, UITENHAGE, 4 MARCH
10KM
MEN
Veterans
2. Thobile Xata (NRC) 40:32
3. Stephen Luvuyo (NRC) 40:34
Masters
3. Sidwel Roboshi (NRC) 46:59
70+
2. Andre Fourie (NRC) 1:14
Juniors
1. Lindokuhle Mavatha (NRC) 39:19
Walkers
1. Jongoxolo Mani (NRC) 1:10:23
WOMEN
Veterans
1. Priscilla Dyantyi (NRC) 50:35
70+
2. Dorothy Hart (NRC) 1:45:09
30KM
MEN
35-39
1. George Ntshiliza (NRC) 1:46:53
2. Sandile Ngunhuza (NRC) 1:47:15
3. Mzolisi Makhanda (NRC) 1:47:34
40-49
2. Anele Maliza (NRC) 1:46:01
3. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 1:46:54
50-59
3. Christopher Mabengeza (NRC) 1:58:05
70+
1. Tamsanqa Jusayi (NRC) 2:46:46
2. David O’Reilly (NRC) 3:22:56
Juniors
1. Anele Voorman (NRC) 1:57:36
WOMEN
Open
1. Ntombesinthu Mfunzi (NRC) 2:00:03
3. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 2:05:14
35-39
1. Ntombesinthu Mfunzi (NRC) 2:00:03
40-49
1. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 2:05:14
2. Davera Magson (NRC) 2:17:26
3. Terri-Lynn Penney (NRC) 2:27:47
50-59
2. Buyelwa Kobokana (NRC) 2:44:17
70+
2. Ronelle Steyn (NRC) 3:45:13
BAY ULTRA 50KM, PORT ELIZABETH, 2 MARCH
MEN
Open
2. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 3:01:34
3. George Ntshiliza (NRC) 3:09:42
4. Sandile Ngunuza (NRC) 3:10:18
5. Anele Maliza (NRC) 3:13:55
35-39
1. George Ntshiliza (NRC) 3:09:42
2. Sandile Ngunuza (NRC) 3:10:18
40-49
1. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 3:01:34
2. Anele Maliza (NRC) 3:13:55
50-59
2. Christopher Mabengeza (NRC) 3:21:56
60-69
1. Clifford Hicken (NRC) 4:20:12
WOMEN
Open
1. Ntombesinthu Mfunzi (NRC) 3:55:36
2. Davera Magson (NRC) 4:01:09
4. Thembela Van der Berg (NRC) 4:45:06
35-39
1. Ntombesinthu Mfunzi (NRC) 3:55:36
2. Thembela Van Der Berg (NRC) 4:45:06
40-49
1. Davera Magson (NRC) 4:01:09
50-59
2. Buyelwa Kobokana (NRC) 4:50:52
MEDIHELP SUNRISE MONSTER 10/32KM
32KM
WOMEN
Open
1. Charné Bosman (NRC)
MARAKELE MARATHON / HALF MARATHON & 10KM, LIMPOPO, 3 MARCH
Marathon
MEN
Open
1. Kagiso Motyale (NRC) 2:39
4. Eliya Mogoboya (NRC) 2:43
Veterans
1. Jameson Mabapa (NRC) 2:50
Half Marathon
WOMEN
Masters
2. Carin Richter (NRC) 2:06
KEMPSTON LADIES NITE RACE, EAST LONDON, 3 MARCH
WOMEN
35-39
3. Thembela Van Der Berg
HARRY GWALA DISTRICT MARATHON, IXHOPO, KZN, 4 MARCH
Marathon
MEN
Open
1.Ntsindiso Mphakathi (NRC) 2:29:07 (winner of a brand new car)
WOMEN
Open
8. Andronica Mokgotla (NRC) 3:24
91.9FM HOT LEGS 15/32KM (INAUGURAL), JOHANNESBURG, 4 MARCH
32km
MEN
Open
1. Sibusiso Nzima (NRC) 1:48:15
Veterans
1. Philip Phakwayo (NRC) 1:58:35
CENTURY CITY 10KM EXPRESS, CENTURY CITY, 3 MARCH
MEN
Open
5. Siyabanya Sakwe (NRC) 32:39
Veterans
2. Vakalisa Kopola (NRC) 33:51
5. Mapukata Sihle (NRC) 36:39
Masters
5. Friedl Van der Merwe (NRC) 40:09
WOMEN
Open
2. Kyla Van Graan (NRC) 37:23
3. Vuyiseka Nkumenge (NRC) 38:14
6. Obertina Kanyango (NRC) 40:59 (1st Master)
Veterans
2. Coriaan de Villiers (NRC) 42:05
3. Buisiwe Matiwane (NRC) 43:05
Masters
1. Obertina Kanyango (NRC) 40:59
3. Olga Howard (NRC) 44:37