Hendrick recently competed in the Nedbank Matha Series event in Port Elizabeth which incorporated the SA Half Marathon Championship, and agreed to share his experience with us.

`The race was held in Motherwell, PE on the 4th of July and I was there representing the Nedbank Running Club instead of my province, Central Gauteng Athletics. The day of the championship started well as the wind was down and the weather was cool. We travelled well from our hotel in PE to Motherwell and arrived an hour before the start of the race; which gave us enough time to warm up.

Everything went well at the start .The provincial runners were all seeded and we lined up behind them as club runners. I was lucky as there was no pushing and it was not a big field. The pace was good from the start, under three minutes a kilometre. Around 15 guys were still in contention after half way. It was only after 15km that the pack was broken.

Steven Mokoka surged late in the race and took the honours in 61.26. Hoff closed the top 10 with 62.05. Nine guys broke 62 minutes, a respected barrier in half marathon running. Even the top three ladies ran respectable times.

It was a good day for runners as the majority of them ran personal best times. One has to mention that for the first time in these championships, time bonuses were on offer for the local runners. I think that contributed a lot to the fast times on the day. The first three guys and the first lady made it for those incentives.

The Nedbank Running Club was well represented in the top positions, with Mokoka, myself, Mbongeni, Lusapo and Coolboy doing well. I was also impressed with the guys who train with the Kenyan coach in the national training camp in Potchefstroom. They did very well and were mostly rewarded with personal records. This shows that training camps work.

Lastly, I would like to thank Nedbank for putting those prizes and incentives, it can only motivate our runners work harder in training and achieve good results.

Take care and see you at the next event.

Hendrick Ramaala
Nedbank Brand Ambassador for Road Running

For more Results go to: http://www.raceresults.co.za; www.athletics.org.za

For Time Trail Results Click Here

Time: 07h30
Organisers: Voortrekker Monument Atletiek Klub
Distance: 23.3, 10.5; 5; ; 10.5; 5

Start: Voortrekker Monument
Eeufees Road
Pretoria
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Alexander Hattingh
(C) 083-4158016
(Email) hattingha@dwaf.gov.za

Contact 2: Leon Bezuidenhout
(F) 012-3860893
(C) 082-3260405 A/H
(Email)leonbez@lantic.net
 
 
Entry Details:
Entries are also taken at local sports stores. Late entries are accepted at the start from 06h00.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
 

Time: 13h30
Organisers: uMhlathuze Athletic Club
Distance: 15; ; 

Start: Mfuli Game Ranch
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Brian Goddard
(F) 035-7922559
(C) 083-2701976
(Email) empangeni@eraunique.co.za

Contact 2: Charleen Hingle
(C) 083-3144046
(Email)empangeni@eraunique.co.za
 
 
Entry Details:
Pre-entries are taken online at www.enteronline.co.za or www.umhlathuze-ac.co.za until Tuesday 7th July 2009. You can also enter on the day before the race at Addison Park between 17h00 and 18h30, or at the start from 12h00.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
 

Time: 07h00
Organisers: Rhodes Trail Run
Distance: 52; ; 

Start: Rhodes Farmers Hall
Rhodes
North-Eastern Cape
 
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Evie Raubenheimer
(H) 041-5816307
(F) 086-6617686
(Email) evie@rhodesrun.za.net
 
Entry Details:
Entry to this race is by invitation only, with a substitution facility. The field is limited to 325 runners for reasons of safety and logistics. Runners can go onto the waiting list at www.rhodesrun.za.net.
 
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
 

Time: 14h00
Organisers: Bluewater Bay Road Runners
Distance: 7; ; 

Start: The Scout Hall
at the bottom of Tippers Creek
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Colin Parkins
(W) 041-4075035
(H) 041-4662179
(F) 041-4075119
(C) 083-6513836
(Email) colin.parkins@schaeffler.com

Contact 2: Leon Kilian
(W) 041-4663010
(H) 041-4663010
(C) 082-6517520
(Email)leonkilian@gmail.com
 
 
Entry Details:
Entry forms are available from local sports stores. Late entries are taken at the start from 13h00, and each entry includes a book of tickets for the refreshments at the "watering points".
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
 

Time: 
Organisers: New Balance Athletic Club - EP
Distance: 10; 5; 

Start: Aberdare Sports Fields
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Annelize Jerling
(C) 082-3234251
 
  
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
 

Time: 08h00
Organisers: Worcester Athletic Club
Distance: 21.1; 10; 5; 

Start: Worcester Voorsieners
Durban Street
Worcester
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Kosie Koopman
(W) 023-3477622
(C) 082-6141027

Contact 2: Mr R Abbas
(C) 082-8560105
 
 
Entry Details:
Enter at the start from 07h00.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
This race is fast, flat and easy.

Time: 08h00
Organisers: Run/Walk for Life Athletic Club (SWD)
Distance: 21.1; ; 

Start: Ebenharts Restaurant
Calitzdorp
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Sanet Wentzel
(C) 082-8526378
 
 
Entry Details:
Pre-entries are taken at King Pie, Queens Mall up to 17 July 2009. Late entries are taken the day before the race at the Ebenharts Restaurant from 18h00 to 20h00 and on the morning of the race between 06h30 to 07h45.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
This is a moderate and scenic race.
 

Time: 08h00
Organisers: Midack Athletic Club
Distance: 20; 10; 

Start: Midack Clubhouse
Asalia Street
Middelburg
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Conrad van den Berg
(W) 013-2472770
(H) 013-2821191
(C) 082-9081228
(Email) vandenberg.conrad@columbus.co.za
 
Entry Details:
Enter at the start from 06h30. Grand Masters enjoy free entry.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Lap
This course is scenic and relatively easy.
 

Time: 08h00
Organisers: Breakthru Midrand Striders
Distance: 15; 5; 

Start: Midrand High School
3rd Road Midway Gardens
Midrand
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Penny Visser
(H) 011-4682975
(C) 083-2664232
(Email) scottpen@netlab.co.za
 
Entry Details:
Late entries are also taken at the start from 05h30. Grand Masters qualify for a reduced entry fee.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
Any course in the Midrand area is testing and this one is no exception. You will enjoy a tough run through the agricultural holdings in the area but be warned, Heartbreak Hill provides the final, stern test in the closing three kilometres. This course provides a scenic and challenging workout.
 

Time: 07h00
Organisers: Forest Hills Athletic Club
Distance: 10; ; 

Start: Forest Hills Sports Club
Forest Drive
Forest Hills
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Lin Kayton
(C) 083-7999520
(Email) kayton@zamail.co.za
 
Entry Details:
Entries are taken at the start on the day before the race between 10h00 and 15h00, and on the morning of the race from 05h00.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Lap
A fast undulating course, with no noteworthy hills, run over two laps in the lovely Forest Hills area.
 

Time: 07h00
Organisers: Elsies River Athletic Club
Distance: 10; ; 
 
Start: Cape Peninsula University of Technology
Sports Gounds Bellville Campus
Symphony Way
 
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Betram Windvogel
(W) 021-5087170
(H) 021-5087170
(F) 021-5087125
(C) 082-3987148
(Email) parlab@mcgind.co.za

Contact 2: Willem Fransman
(W) 021-9373045
(F) 021-9317810
(C) 082-7296684
(Email)wfransman@uwc.ac.za
 
 
Entry Details:
 
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
This fast and flat course is good for a PB.