It is with sadness that we received the news about the passing away of Adinda Kruger.

Adinda was a Comrades Gold medallist and a popular athlete and runner amongst all the Nedbank Running Club members as well as in the days when she was still running under the Harmony banner.
Our condolences are going out to her family and close friends.

Adinda was third in the 2012 Comrades and 5th in 2009.She finished 8th in the 2010 and 2011 Comrades marathon.

With husband Ben, they won the prize for first husband and wife in the 2010 OMTOM Marathon.

The funeral is Friday 11h00 in Wapadrand, Pretoria

Adinda will be missed!

Nick Bester-National Manager of the Nedbank Running Clubs.

A top-class field set to line up at this year's Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon

All last year's winners in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon have confirmed that they will be back to defend their titles in the 48th running of the event on Easter Saturday 15 April in the Mother City.

Zimbabwean athlete Mike Fokoroni of Nedbank Running Club, who took the men's ultramarathon title in 2016 in a time of 3:13:33, is planning to make it two wins in a row. He is currently at an altitude training camp in Bindura, 100 km north east of Harare, and said that his training is on track and that he is ready to compete.

Eight of the top 10 gold medallists from last year have confirmed their entries, as well as some top runners from Ethiopia and Kenya, so Fokoroni will have to work hard to claim his second win.

Crowd favourite Caroline Wöstmann, running for KPMG, is planning to use the 56 km ultramarathon as a training run in preparation for the Comrades Marathon later this year. However, she cannot be discounted to defend her title as last year she used it as a training run as well.

Wöstmann will have her work cut out for her with a top contingent of international and African athletes that include Belarussian Marina Damantsevich and Ethiopians Almtsehay Kakissa and Elisabeth Arsedo, who all boast personal bests of under 2:40 for the standard marathon.

'The quality and depth of the field entered this year is fantastic,' said Carol Vosloo, general manager for the Two Oceans Marathon NPC. 'We have worked hard on creating an event that attracts some of the top athletes in the world and this year is going to be an interesting race from start to finish as the athletes battle it out for first place, as well as attempt to break the record for an additional prize purse of R1 million courtesy of Old Mutual.'

The R1 million bonus for the ultramarathon was first introduced ahead of the 2014 event, which sparked new motivation among elite runners to break the records originally set by Thompson Magawana and Frith van der Merwe.

Magawana set the men's record of 3:03:44 in 1988, while Van der Merwe set the women's record a year later in 1989 when she ran 3:30:36. The closest any runner has come since then is Zimbabwean Marko Mambo, who ran 3:05:39 in 2005. Russian Olesya Nurgalieva ran the second-fastest women's time in 2008 when she crossed the finish line in 3:34:53.

In the half-marathon, the competition is just as stiff with last year's winner, Lesotho's Namakoe Nkhasi from Nedbank Running Club, back to defend the title he won in 1:03:36. Nkhasi represented his country at the 2016 Summer Olympics competing in the 5 000 m heats. He has personal bests of 13:21:68 for the 5 000 m and 28:06:33 for the 10 000 m.

Nkhasi is looking forward to running against his two teammates, David Manja and Joel Mmone, who were third and fourth in 2016. He is also looking forward to racing Elroy Gelant, who came second last year by a mere three seconds. Gelant said that his training has been going extremely well, with his main focus on the SA Track Championships that take place a week after the Easter weekend.

'They are all tough competitors and we tend to push each other very hard, which is great for me as I want to break the record this year,' added Nkhasi, who had to settle for second place in the 10 000 m at the recent ASA Speed Series in Gauteng when Gelant took line honours.

Irvette van Zyl, also from Nedbank Running Club, is hoping to make it two in a row. The 2016 half-marathon champion (71 minutes) says that her training is on track and that she is working off a good base with shorter track sessions to improve her speed.

'This year it is all about the best I can be and how fast I can run. This event is my favourite race in the year and winning in 2016 was a dream come true. My goal is to improve my time from last year as well as take the win,' said Van Zyl.

The women's half-marathon race sees five of the top 10 returning, with second-placed Onneile Dintwe and fifth-placed Christine Kalmer posing the biggest challenge to Van Zyl's title defence.

It is all systems go for the event, which attracts over 30 000 participants across the various distances and makes a significant contribution to the local economy.

For more information visit the website www.twooceansmarathon.org.za and join the online conversation on social media platforms and follow the #RunAsOne hashtag:

Instagram    www.instagram.com/2oceansmarathon
Facebook    www.facebook.com/TwoOceansMarathon or
Twitter     www.twitter.com/2oceansmarathon

TWO OCEANS AND NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB TEAM T-SHIRTS

Good news-This year our OMTOM and COMRADES Team Half Zip Long sleeve tops will be a genuine NIKE fabric of a high quality.

Please see below design and please place your orders for the OMTOM t-shirts by not later than Thurday 30 March 2017 and your COMRADES shirts by 15 April 2017. Please place your order directly with your Nedbank Running Club

The prize is R395-00  Inclusive of Vat. Per long sleeve top.

Two Oceans 2017

Comrades 2017

Strong Nedbank Running Club team to compete in the 2017 Spar Grand Prix Series

Nedbank Running Club Athletes to compete in the Spar Woman’s Cape Town race include, Irvette van Zyl, Louisa Leballo, Rutendo Nyahora, Onneile Dintwe, Patience Murowe, Rhudo Monderwa, Fortunate Chidzivo and Bulelwa Simae

CAPE TOWN READY TO HOST 25th SPAR WOMEN’S CHALLENGE

There is an air of excitement ahead of Cape Town’s SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge happening this Sunday morning, 2 April. This is the 25th year that the race is being run in Cape Town, the first one having been in 1993. Elana Meyer won that year in a time of 34:05. It seems fitting that this well loved former long distance runner, who won silver in the 10,000m at the 1992 Summer Olympics, will shoot the start gun 25 years later.

Most of South Africa’s top female runners will be taking part in Sunday’s race, the first leg of the national 2017 new look SPAR Grand Prix series, which starts near the Cape Town Stadium with a full field of 21 000 participants.

For the first time, non-South Africans are eligible to accumulate Grand Prix points, which is very good news for Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora, who has been one of the most consistent top ten runners in the series for the past few years.

Two of South Africa’s most popular road runners, Mapaseka Makhanya and Rene Kalmer, have been named patrons of the Grand Prix this year. Both are former Grand Prix winners.

Makhanya said she was very excited about the changes that had been made to the Grand Prix. These include the addition of the Pietermaritzburg race 20 August 2017 , which joins Cape Town 2 April 2017, Nelson Mandela Bay 6 May 2017 , Durban 11 June 2017, Pretoria 05 August 2017and Johannesburg 08 October 2017 as races where elite runners are able to acquire Grand Prix points. Prix money has also been increased substantially, with the winner taking home R173 000. There will also be cash incentives for winners who meet target times.

“The atmosphere of the SPAR races is very special. I can’t wait to get going with this year’s chase,” said Makhanya.

Makhanya said it was particularly fulfilling to run in races designed specifically for women.

“I am particularly excited that the Grand Prix is now open to non-South Africans, and I am so happy for Rutendo. She is going to make life tough for the rest of us who are trying to win Grand Prix points,” said Makhanya.

Runners of the calibre of Irvette van Zyl, last year’s Cape Town winner and overall Grand Prix winner, Rutendo Nyahora, Lebogang Phalula, Onneile Dintwe and Kalmer’s sister Christine will once again be fighting it out for top honours on Sunday. They will certainly be chased by up and coming Juniors Simonay Weitsz and Ashleigh Simonis.

The 10km runners start at 07h00, the walkers at 07h30 and the 5km at 08h00. Besides position prizes, there will be plenty of lucky draw prizes and entertainment for those that stay for the prize-giving after the race.

Old Mutual makes the Comrades Marathon Underprivileged Runners’ Project dream come true

To ensure that the Ultimate Human Race is an inclusive event, major sponsor Old Mutual will be sponsoring the Old Mutual Comrades Underprivileged Runners Project over the Comrades weekend.

The project has been a part of the world’s greatest footrace for the past 16 years. Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) General Manager, Chris Fisher says, “This has been a project very close to the heart of the CMA. Through this initiative, we have been able to accommodate runners across the socio-economic spectrum and afford them an opportunity to experience the race. It has given them an opportunity to dream.”

Fisher continues, “Through the Underprivileged Runners Project, Old Mutual will demonstrate its spirit of humanity by providing support to hundreds of less fortunate runners wishing to participate in the 2017 Comrades Marathon.”

Up to 800 runners will be provided with accommodation, a comfortable mattress and blankets for a good night’s rest, ablution facilities as well substantial meals on the evenings prior to and after the race.

"Running events like the Comrades Marathon showcase South Africa at its very best," says Karen Thomas, Old Mutual Head of Brand. "Many runners dream of competing in the Comrades Marathon, but for a variety of reasons can't always get to the start line. By sponsoring the Comrades Underprivileged Runners Project, Old Mutual is ensuring that those runners who might not be able to afford the weekend in KwaZulu-Natal now have the chance to be a part of this special day on the South African running calendar."

There is no charge to the runners for this facility; however for planning and logistic purposes, runners who benefit from this programme are asked to apply early in the year. Due to space limitations, only underprivileged runners will be accommodated.

Fisher adds, “We would like to thank Old Mutual for their commitment to these athletes participating in the Comrades Marathon. Initiatives such as these provide life-changing opportunities for such runners and we are proud to be associated with this leading financial services provider.”

Transportation will be provided for runners collecting their race packs at the Durban Exhibition Centre on Saturday, 3 June to the venue in Pietermaritzburg where they will be accommodated and served a hearty dinner.

On race day, runners will be provided with breakfast before being transported to the start in Durban and back to the accommodation facility after the race.  

After the event, the CMA will donate the blankets and mattresses to various charity organisations in Pietermaritzburg and surrounding areas. For more information, please email Nonkululeko: nonkululeko@comrades.com

WINGS FOR LIFE WORLD RUN 2017

Nedbank Running Club adopts the Starfish Greathearts Foundation as its official charity to support for the Comrades Marathon 2017

David Manja and Louisa Lebalo lead the South African senior teams at the IAAF World Cross-country Championships

Three South Africans finished in the top thirty in their respective races at the IAAF World
Cross-country Championships in Kampala on Sunday, 26 March. In the team competitions the
South Africans did considerably better than two years ago in China.

The two best juniors, Kabelo Seboko and Simonay Weitsz, achieved the higstest individual positions for South Africa: 24th and 26th respectively. Pakiso Mthembu finished 30th in the junior men's race.

Nedbank Running Club's David Manja and Louisa Leballo were 34th and 33rd respectively in the senior events. Elroy Gelant, who was 20th in 2013, was 43rd this time.

The SA senior men finished 9th (they were also 9th in 2015 and 12th in 2013), the senior women 9th (12th and 14th), the junior men 8th (12th and 14th) and the junior women also 8th (14th and 12th).

Senior champion Geoffrey Kamworor (Kenya) retained his title with a comfortable victory over compatriot Leonard Barsoton. In the junior women's race Ethiopian Letensebet Gidey managed an even easier win. In the junior men's race Jacob Kiplimo won Uganda's first ever gold medal at the World Championships. Kenya and Ethiopia again dominated the meeting, winning the gold and silver medals in all four races, with Ethiopia taking three golds. Kenya's senior women scored an unprecedented top-six positions, with Irene Cheptai, Alice Aprot and Lilian Kasait Rengeruk bagging the medals. The Kenyans' score of ten points is the lowest ever.

Results – South African Athletes (Nedbank Running Club Athletes in green)

Senior men – 10 km
34 David Manja, RSA, 30:16
37 Joel Mmone, RSA, 30:28
43 Elroy Gelant, RSA, 30:45
46 Thabang Mosiako, RSA, 30:49
56 Lesiba Mashele, RSA, 31:17

Senior women – 10 km
33 Louisa Leballo, RSA, 35:22
36 Kesaoleboga Molotsane, RSA, 35:47
63 Glenrose Xaba, RSA, 37:16
69 Sherilene Gelderblom, RSA, 37:35
DNF Andrea Steyn, RSA

International Athletes who also represent the Nedbank Running Club

Senior women – 10 km
73 Rudo Mhonderwa, ZIM, 37:57

Sundberg could surprise in the Comrades women’s race

The name Sophia Sundberg might not mean anything when people talk about ultraracing in South Africa, but that could change on 4 June when she lines up to race the Comrades for a third time.

In 2014 she was placed 11th and in 2015 she finished 19th but, as the saying goes, practice makes perfect. The Swedish runner, who will represent Nedbank Running Club, took up running only in 2009. She ran her first marathon in 2011, so it has been a case of improving stride by stride over the past nine years.

A few weeks back she improved the Swedish six-hour distance-running record, running a total of 80 099 km. She also won overall. The previous record was held by Kajsa Berg, who finished third in last year’s Comrades.

It was Jonas Buud with his second-place finish in 2013 that inspired her to take up the Comrades challenge.

Sundberg said she prefers the up run (Durban to Pietermaritzburg).

'I love to run up hills. In Sweden it is easier for me to train uphill than downhill as I feel stronger when challenged by steep climbs. Therefore, it should be really fun to run the Comrades this year. Hopefully, I will achieve what I set out to do and that is to at least finish in the top 10.'

The freedom and the simplicity of running is what attracted Sundberg to the sport.

'I am sort of a loner so I really enjoy being out there on some road, clocking kilometres. I am also an avid outdoors person, which is another reason why I cannot wait to go running. The nice thing when out training is that it clears your mind. Often when I am on a training run I am able to find solutions to problems or get some new ideas of what I want to do or should do.

'I am also coaching runners, which is a very rewarding experience, especially when they achieve the goals they set themselves.

'I am fascinated by ultraracing, especially about the changes that happens in your body when racing and the mental up and downs you experience during a race. I tend to learn something new about myself after each race.'

Sundberg considers her 2015 debut in the Old Mutual Two Oceans ultrarace as a definite highlight.

'I did not get a good result. I only managed a 15th place finish, but from a purely running perspective it was a wonderful experience. The Two Oceans is definitely one of my favourite races. I was slightly worried at the start of the race as I was not sure whether I would be able to finish as I had a slight injury, but the whole atmosphere and my fellow runners made me forget about it.

'Running a time of seven hours and 54 minutes last year at the Winschoten 100 km race in the Netherlands was also special. The race turned out into a battle for survival as the temperature soared to 30 degrees celsius while we were running.

'I also consider the Comrades as a special race, but I still need to master the art of running to the best of my ability.'

Magson makes a habit of winning ultra-races

Davera Magson from the Nedbank Running Club (NRC) raced to her second consecutive victory over the weekend when she won the Bruintjieshoogte 50 km (Pearston to Somerset East) in a time of 4:11:11.

At the end of February she won the Moll: E Bay 50 km ultra-race in a time of 3:55:31, proving that there is truth in the saying that life starts at 40.

Anele Maliza (NRC) raced to a third-place finish in the men's race, running a time of 3:17:27. Saziphi Blaai (NRC) was fourth in 3:21:05, and Charles Segalo (Charlo AC) won in 3:12:49.

George Ntshiliza (NRC) and Andre Ketchem (Xcel AC) made a race of it in the 25 km race, with Ketchem outlasting his rival to win in a time of 1:21:59. Ntshiliza was second in 1:22:55.

Terri-Lynn Penney (RWFL) won the women's 25 km race in 1:53:42, with Grizelda Pietersen (NRC) second in 1:57:26 and Priscilla Dyantyi (NRC) third in 2:03:58.

The men's 15 km race was won by Masixole Xayiya (Temp) in a time 55:14. Bonakele Ntshangase (NRC) raced to a second place finish in 58:47, with Lesley Koeseba (NRC) third in 59:29.

The NRC athletes certainly made their presence felt at the 56 km Zululand Ultra Marathon.

The women's race was an 'all-green affair', with the club's athletes taking first, second, third and fourth place. Tjoka Mamorallo won in 4:21:09, Tsatsa Thabitha was second in 4:22:10, Monica Kativhu third in 4:29:39 and Fikile Mbuthuma fourth in 4:37:09.

Lyno Muchena won the men's race in 03:30:02. Edwin Chimbobo was fourth, running a time of 3:37:12.

Siviwe Nkombi (NRC) was second in the Ravenshead 15 km. He clocked a time of 47:53.

Sithembele Fanekho (NRC) finished third in the Stella Royal 25 km in Durban. His time was 1:27:29.

Lucky Mtshali (NRC) was third in 49:02 at the K-Way Gallopers 15 km in Johannesburg. It was quite a tightly contested race, with only 12 seconds separating the first three athletes. Lucky Mohale (Boxer) won in 48:50, with Johannes Kekana (Maxed Elite) being the second athlete to cross the finish line with a time of 48:58.

Lekhotla Kantoor Nkoane, manager of Nedbank Fast Legs Club, is quite excited about his athletes' performance at the Free State Athletics Championships in Bloemfontein.

Motlatsi Ntsasa, 18, ran 15:03 in the 5 000 m to qualify for next week's South African High School Championships in Durban. He has also qualified for the SA Junior and Youth Championships in Cape Town.

Fifteen-year-old Mopeli Mopeli qualified in the 800 m for both championships.

Paseka Khalienyane, 16, won a silver medal in the 800 m; Samuel Matsepe won gold in the 5 000 m, while disabled athlete; Motlatsi Ntsasa won bronze in the 3 000 m steeple chase and Joyce Ramabusa, also a disabled athlete, won silver in the 100 m.

Four junior athletes from the Nedbank Soweto Development Club have been included in the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) Team to represent the province at the National Junior Championships in Cape Town.

The following athletes from the club received medals at the Central Gauteng Championships:
•    Men's 10 000 m: –    Coolboy Ngamole (first)
                              –    Lebogang Masire (third)
•    Men's 5 000 m: –    Phillimon Mathibi (second)
•    Men's 3 000 m steeplechase: –    Derocious Makhobalo (second)
•    Women's 10 000 m: –    Maria Shai (first)
•    Women's 800 m: –    Anelda van Staden (third)
•    Women's 400 m: –    Liza Kellerman (third)