Newsletter
 
Brought to you by: www.nedbankrunningclub.co.za
9 November 2017
 
Old Mutual Soweto Marathon

Nedbank Running Club victorious at the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon!

What a weekend of superb racing all around, with athletes from the Nedbank Running Club (NRC) dominating at races countrywide, especially at one of the country’s biggest events: the Old Mutual Soweto Marathon.

Irvette van Zyl was the star of the show when she took the Soweto Marathon women’s title, after having finished third last year. With this she became the first South African winner of the Soweto Marathon since 2009, breaking the tape in 2:41:06 and ending foreign domination in what is referred to as the People’s Race.

An emotional Van Zyl said she didn't think she would win. "I thought Mapa (Mapaseka Makhanya) was too far ahead. But it meant a lot to me. In 2011 I wasn't able to complete the race. I finished in a taxi. Last year I had injury problems. Today was an emotional win. I feel blessed and humbled to be part of the People’s Race again this year. It’s definitely going to hurt tomorrow but it is and was worth it. Thanks to my special team that supports me through the lows and the highs. A high like today can only be appreciated when you’ve hit the lowest lows.” And how did Van Zyl celebrate her victory? With a meal from KFC!

The Green Dream Team’s dominance continued in the women’s marathon with 7 of the top 15 ladies from the NRC.

In the women’s half marathon NRC athlete Patience Murorwe finishing first in a time of 1:21. Glenrose Xaba won the women’s 10km race in 35:33 followed by NRC’s Rutendo Nyahora (35:42).

The men delivered too, with 9 out of the top 20 marathon men being NRC athletes. Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (NRC/ETH) took second place in a time of 2:20:56 while teammate Ntsindiso Mphakathi (NRC) crossed the line third in a time of 2:21:23. David Manja fleg the Nedbank flag high in the half marathon crossing the line first in 1:06:14 to win the men’s title. His teammate Namakoe Nkhasi (NRC/LES) scored another win for the NRC breaking the 10km tape in 30:52.

 
SPAR Women's Grand Prix

Spar Grand Prix Awards

Nedbank Running Club finished the Spar Grand Prix with 4 athletes in the top 10, with Irvette van Zyl with the best position in 2nd place

The winner, Molotsane was handed a cheque for R173 000 at the SPAR Grand Prix awards ceremony at Memoire in Muldersdrift on Tuesday.

Molotsane is only the seventh person to win the title, and the only one to do so in her debut year.  She won the Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Pietermaritzburg races, finished second in Durban and Johannesburg and third in Pretoria to finish with 156 points – 10 ahead of her nearest rival, three-times Grand Prix winner Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank), who won in Pretoria and Johannesburg, came second in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth and third in Pietermaritzburg.  

The battle for top spot would have been even closer if Van Zyl had not been forced to drop out in Durban because of an injury.  Molotsane gained bonus points for finishing within the target times set by the organisers in every race except Durban and Johannesburg, while Van Zyl earned bonus points in every race she finished.

“I lost the Grand Prix when I pulled up after four kilometres in Durban,” she said ruefully.

Van Zyl, winner of Sunday’s Soweto Marathon, won R50 000.

Nolene Conrad (KPMG), who finished every race in the top ten, with podium finishes in Pretoria and Johannesburg, came joint third with 2013 Grand Prix winner Mapaseka Makhanya (Massmart) with 67 points each.  They each received R27 500.

Molotsane said she felt humbled by winning the Grand Prix title.

“When I ran the first one, in Cape Town, I was really doing it just as a form of training for track racing.  I planned to run just one or two, but then I realised I had a chance of winning the Grand Prix, so I carried on, and I will definitely be running the SPAR races again next year,’ said Molotsane.

“Thank you to SPAR for what you have done for women’s road running in South Africa.”

Van Zyl, who won the title in 2010, 2011 and 2016, congratulated Molotsane on her achievement.

“Kesa is a great competitor,” she said.

“I think she has added a new dimension to the SPAR Challenge races.  She has an amazing kick, and I had my work cut out against her.  But I will be back next year and I look forward to an exciting battle against Kesa.”

Nicole Louw (KPMG) topped the leader board in the junior category, winning the four races she entered, earning a total of 35 points.  Shanley Koekemoer (KPMG) was second, with 21 points, and Simonay Weitz (BOXER), who won the Cape Town and Port Elizabeth races, was third, with 20.

Congratulating the award winners, SPAR Group Marketing Executive Mike Prentice said the quality of the runners on the leader board was a clear indication that the SPAR Grand Prix had established itself on the local athletics calendar and that the top athletes and clubs that supported the Challenge races around the country viewed it as an important part of their annual programme.

“SPAR promised after celebrating 10 years of the Grand Prix last year to have a bigger and better circuit this year,” said Prentice.

“SPAR delivered with increased prize money and an additional race, with the Pietermaritzburg leg making it a six race series.  We are excited that the series once again has been a great success and our thanks to you all for contributing to this success.

“We also need to be aware of the many thousands of other women from all walks of life that participate in the six races making up the SPAR Challenge series. We are proud to have exposed our brand to 148 000 women throughout South Africa in 2017,” he said.

Prentice confirmed that the sponsorship would continue in 2018, and said SPAR looked forward to announcing some exciting innovations early next year.

Deputy Minister of Sport and Recreation Gert Oosthuizen who assisted Prentice in handing over the winners cheque and trophy congratulated Molotsane on her win and commended SPAR for the contribution they were making the development of athletics and particularly the promotion of women’s sport in the country.

Frances van Blerk

Rutendo Nyahora

Spar Ladies Grand Prix Results    
  SPAR GRAND PRIX 2017     
POS.  OPEN CATEGORY  CLUB  TOT PTS 
1 Kesa Molotsane  KPMG  156
2 Irvette van Zyl  Nedbank  146
3 Nolene Conrad  KPMG  105
4 Lebogang Phalula  Boxer  99
5 Glenrose Xaba  Boxer  94
6 Rutendo Nyahora  Nedbank  85
7 Rhudo Monderwa  Nedbank  82
8 Cornelia Joubert  Boxer  61
9 Mapaseka Makhanya  Olifantsfontein  53
10 Patience Murowe  Nedbank  44
11 Nicole Louw  KPMG  43
12 Elizabet Arsedo  Nedbank  32
        
   40-49 YEAR CATEGORY      
1 Tannith Maxwell  Boxer  29
2 Janene Carey  Boxer  23
3 Bulelwa Simae  Nedbank  22
        
   60+ YEAR CATEGORY      
1 Margie Saunders  Nedbank  20
2=  Sonja Laxton  RAC  14
2=  Francis van Blerk  Nedbank  14
        
   CLUBS  POINTS    
1 KPMG  689   
2 Nedbank  521   
3 Boxer  437  
4 Olifantsfonetin  53   
5 Maxed Elite  28  
6 Savages  23  
 
Looking Ahead

Old Mutual Om die Dam Entries Open!

It's the moment you have been waiting for: Entries for the Old Mutual Om die Dam Ultra Marathon on 17 March 2018 are officially open! The 28th edition of SA's biggest inland ultra promises to be the most exciting yet, with some really exciting new developments (see below), so book your spot on the start line today!

Click here to enter the event

New Venue, New Route, New Dynamic

There are two big changes for the 2018 race that you need to know about. Firstly, our new start and finish venue will be at the Hartbeespoort Holiday Resort, which will solve a lot of problems experienced at previous Om die dam races, notably traffic and parking!

"We are very excited about the new venue, as being out of town means that runners coming from Joburg and Pretoria will be able to access it a lot easier. It has also given us the opportunity to spice up the route, and how the race will be run!" says Race Director Johan Von Molendorff.

That brings us to the second big change: The route will be run in the opposite direction in 2018, going clockwise around the dam, which will mean that the ultra runners will take on the monster climb at Saartjies early in the race, with fresh legs, instead of late in the race! The revised route also offers runners a more direct route around the dam, with less unnecessary loops, and will really change the dynamic of the race.

The half marathon route will also be offering exciting changes this year! For the first time the route will follow the Ultra Runners running across the Arch de Triumph, with a spectacular view of the dam it's going to make the route much more scenic! And the changes don't stop there, runners will be crossing the dam wall twice, making sure you get your money's worth!

With entries flying in already, and an entry limit that looks set to be reached before the closing date of 28 February, the time to enter is now!

Click here to find out More

 

 
TOTALSPORTS

Click on the image for more information

 
 
Race Results

OLD MUTUAL SOWETO MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10 KM SOWETO, 5 NOVEMBER

Marathon
MEN
Open
2. Sintayehu Legese Yinesu (NRC/ETH) 2:20:56
3. Ntsindiso Mphakathi (NRC) 2:21:23
5. Lebenya Nkoka (NRC/LES) 2:22:21
7. Moses Kurgat (NRC/KEN) 2:23:31
9. Edward Mothibi (NRC) 2:25:28
12. Collin Parura Kanyimo (NRC/ZIM) 2:27:39
15. Obed Kapong (NRC) 2:30:02
17. Siphiwe Nicholas Ndlela (NRC) 2:30:22
20. Mike Fokoroni (NRC/ZIM) 2:32:01
Veterans
2. Mike Fokoroni (NRC/ZIM) 2:32:01 3

WOMEN
Open
1. Irvette van Zyl (NRC) 2:41:06
3. Selam Abere Alebachew (NRC/ETH) 2:46:33
5. Chelitu Bogale Asefa (NRC/ETH) 2:54:44
6. Jennifer Koech (NRC/KEN) 2:59:32
8. Andronica Mokgotla (NRC) 3:08:10
9. Fikile Fundiswe Mbuthuma (NRC) 3:10:48
15. Monica Kativhu (NRC/ZIM) 3:18:45
Masters
2. Diane Schlebusch (NRC) 4:20:04

Half Marathon
MEN
Open
1. David Manja (NRC) 1:06:14
4. Phillimon Tebogo Mathiba (Ned) 1:08:42
Masters
1. Dan Mothibe (NRC) 1:23:53
2. Zebulon Mokonoto (NRC) 1:28:28

WOMEN
Open
1. Patience Murowe (NRC/ZIM) 1:21:56

10 km
MEN
Open
1. Namakoe Nkhasi (NRC/LES) 30:52
3. Thabang Mosiako (NRC) 30:59

WOMEN
Open
2. Rutendo Nyahora (NRC/ZIM) 35:42

SOUTH AFRICAN 10KM CHAMPIONSHIPS, NELSPRUIT, 4 NOVEMBER

MEN
Open
3 Precious Mashele (NRC) 29:17
4 David Manja (NRC) 29:24

WOMEN
40-44:
1. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 38:45

LANDMARKS HALF MARATHON, RONDEBOSCH, 5 NOVEMBER

MEN
Open
2. Siviwe Nkombi (NRC) 1:10:28
4. Mthandazo Qhina (NRC) 1:13:43 (1st vet)
40-44
1. Mthandazo Qhina (NRC) 1:13:43
2. Sihle Mapukata (NRC) 1:20:32
3. Neo Molema (NRC) 1:20:39
55-59
3. Mandlenkosi Mqcunge (NRC) 1:31:38
Juniors
1. Calvin Hammond (NRC) 1:39:20
 
WOMEN
1. Fortunate Chidzivo (NRC/ZIM) 1:26:34
40-44
3. Busisiwe Matiwane (NRC) 1:39:14
50-54
1. Obertina Kanyongo (NRC/ZIM) 1:34:45
55-59
1. Olga Howard (NRC) 1:39:19

PHOENIX VILLAGERS HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, MOUNT EDGECOMBE, 5 NOVEMBER

Half marathon
MEN
Open
1.    Mzimemkosi Mjaja (NRC) 1:20:38

SAVE SUPERMARKET HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, PIETERMARITZBURG, 5 NOVEMBER

Half Marathon
MEN
40-49
1. Msawenkosi Mlaba (NRC) 75:51

WOMEN
Open
3. Nontokozo Mkhize (NRC) 93:05

ITEC 10 KM, TABLE VIEW, 4 NOVEMBER

WOMEN
Veterans
2. Sharon Sunderland (NRC) 43:55

NMBM LEGACY PROJECT COLCHESTER 10 KM, COLCHESTER, 4 NOVEMBER

MEN
Open
2. Gift Chigomarawa (NRC/ZIM) 31:35
4. Brendon Effenaar (NRC) 31:57
Veterans
2. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 33:07
Masters
2. Christopher Mabengeza (NRC) 36:38
Great Grandmasters
3. David O’Reilly (NRC) 58:34
Juniors
2. Anele Voorman (NRC) 35:06

WOMEN
Open
1. Vuyiseka Nkumenge (NRC) 38:25
3. Liza-Marie Kingston (NRC) 40:25
Veterans
1. Davera Magson (NRC) 43:30
3. Grizelda Pietersen (NRC) 47:23
Masters
1. Buyelwa Kobokana (NRC) 51:50
Great Grandmasters
1. Ronelle Steyn (NRC) 1:04:31

ROWLIN NATIONAL BROKERS 15 KM & 10 KM, BENONI, 1 NOVEMBER

15 km
MEN
Open
2. Thabo Masina (NRC) 50:11
4. Best Ngwenya (NRC) 54:15