TUT Race
Our last AGN cross country event for athletes 14 years and older took place at TUT this weekend. It always looked like it was going to rain, but for most of the day, the weather seemed to play along. Half way into the final race, the weather changed suddenly and a Tsunami with hale stones and high winds resulted in the first ever cross country event I ever had to cut short on account of weather.

I hope no-one got ill as a result of running in the rain.
173 athletes took part. It was the first time that the TUT presented an event since Piet Helberg left a few years ago, but it seems that they still know how to do a good job. Thanks Jazz and your team. 

Tuine (Primary Schools event)
The second of our primary schools events took place on Friday afternoon. 1550 athletes took part in an event that was once again sponsored by New Balance and Run-away sport. It turned out to be a great success.

Fountains Valley (Friday, 7 August 2009) for athletes 13 years and younger

PEASE NOTE: THE EVENT TAKES PLACE AT FOUNTAINS VALLEY NOT SIMON BEKKER PRIMARY
Only athletes from ages 8 to 13 years will take part in this event.

§       If you registered as a school, you will receive an envelope with your entry tickets.
§       If you have not registered as part of a school, you will run as an individual (classified as AGN athletes). You have to pay your R 12.00 entry at the event and you will receive a ticket from the organizers.

§       Entries will be available from 13:00 (pm).
§       Guarded parking is available at R5.
§       Entry Fee: R 12.00
§       The event starts at 14:20 with a formal opening.
§       All athletes will receive medals.
§       The first 10 positions will receive certificates.
§       Refreshments will be on sale.
§       First Aid will be available on the terrain.
§       Athletes must have their name tags on their chest.

          
Program

1.      Girls 8 years - 14:30 - 1km
2.      Boys 8 years - 14:40 - 1km
3.      Girls 9 years - 14:50 - 2km
4.      Boys 9 years - 15:05 - 2km
5.      Girls 10 years 15:15 - 2km
6.      Boys 10 years - 15:25 - 2km
7.      Girls 11 years - 15:35 - 3km
8.      Boys 11 years - 15:55 - 3km
9.      Girls 12 years - 16:10 - 3km
10.     Boys 12 years - 16:30 - 3km
11.     Girls 13 years - 16:45 - 3km
12.     Boys 13 years - 17:05 - 4km

AGN Cross Country championships

The Gauteng North Cross Country championships takes place on 15 August 2009 at LC de Villiers, NOT Bronkhorstspruit.  
This year, AGN and schools cross country will be combined. We expect close to 4000 athletes at the event. It will be a great trial for the national championships; in fact, the event might even have more participants.

Please note that participation is compulsory if you would like to qualify for the Gauteng North team. However, if you would just like to come and run or jog, you are still welcome to come and join in the fun.

We would like to thank SPAR, New Balance and Run-Away Sport for their sponsorship.

Entry Fee: R 12:00
AGN provincial medals to the first three finishers in each age category.
Certificated to the first 10 finishers in each age category.
All athletes will receive badge as recognition for participation in the AGN championships.
§       First 10 positions will receive certificates.
§       Refreshments will be on sale.
§       First Aid will be available on the terrain.

Athletes must have their name tags on their chest.
Program attached
 
 
National Cross Country Championships (12 September 2009)

The South African Cross Country championships will take place on 12 September 2009 at LC de Villiers sports grounds. The event is hosted by Athletics Gauteng North and Athletics South Africa.

This year, more than 2500 athletes from 17 provinces will be represented while another 2000 runners and walkers are expected to take part in the "mob race" (fun run and walk) that marks the start of the championships.

Athletics Gauteng North finds it self at a defining moment, and we would like to present the best event possible. To do this, we desperately need sponsorship.

We do not have a title sponsor for cross country like we do for road running (Nedbank) and track and field (Yellow Pages). At the moments we can provide for the basics only.

The event will most probably have television coverage and we have also asked the executive mayor of the City of Tshwane metro council to officially open the event for us.

We have estimated that the event will bring close to R 2,000,000.00 into the Pretoria economy. It is the ideal platform to reach customers from all over South Africa and has the potential to secure a significant saving on an advertising budget.

If you know of (or work for) any company or business that could make use of this opportunity to reinforce loyalty to their brand, I would be grateful if you could forward me their contact detail. It need not be large amounts. We need all the help we can get.

General
Buks Meyer made me so happy on Saturday when he told me that he took part in all the Gauteng North cross country events so far this year. Buks, thank you very much for your commitment towards our sport! It inspires me to see how you make an effort to join us every Saturday (rain or shine), despite a busy work schedule. You are a true hero of the sport!!

Elarduspark primary school did our province proud by obtaining the second position at the Super 12 cross country event this weekend. Well done!! This is probably one of the toughest team competitions in South African Athletics!

Andre Gobey