VAN ZYL LEADS NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB ONSLAUGHT FOR TOP TITLES

The Nedbank Running Club’s (NRC) Green Dream Team demolished a strong local and international field at two of the country’s biggest and most competitive road running races, the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon and the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN. No less than ten podium positions across all age categories were achieved at both races, while it was especially the NRC women who made a clean sweep, taking all three podium positions at the Joburg 10K.

SA speedster Irvette van Zyl’s led the Dream Team’s way with her phenomenal performance at both the Cape Town Marathon on Sunday morning and the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN the very next day. Van Zyl produced a sublime effort in the women’s race at the Cape Town Marathon’s 10km Peace Run, clocking 32:48 for the win – her second fastest time - and setting a new course record. What makes Van Zyl’s performance even more outstanding is that she has just come back after giving birth to her second son a mere three months ago. Her team mate and Zimbabwean Rutendo Nyahora was second in a time of 33:54 while Veteran Bulelwa Simae not only placed first in her age category but also 7th overall in a time of 37:46.

Van Zyl flew back to Johannesburg the same day to line up a mere 24 hours later at the FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN held on Heritage Day where she broke the tape in 33:52, smashing another course record. This was her first appearance at the race and she meant business from the gun. The first kilometre was covered in 3:06. Three kilometres went by in 9:28 while 5km was covered in 16:28 as she started to hit the climbs. By then she was running on her own in the women’s race, with team mate Susy Chebet and defending champion Glenrose Xaba a good way off the pace. 2018 Comrades Marathon runner up, Gerda Steyn was having an impressive race and was closing down on the tiring Xaba whom she passed in the final 3km.

There was no stopping the flying Van Zyl who clocked the last 2km in 3:11 and 3:08 on the descent to the finish at Mary Fitzgerald Square. Van Zyl smashed through the finish ribbon in an incredible 33:51. A massive 1 minute and 40 seconds inside the previous course record of 35:34 set in 2016.

Chebet was second across the line, clocking 34:30 while Steyn came storming through to the finish in an impressive

35:01. What makes Steyn’s performance just as remarkable is that she is currently in serious long distance training for the New York City Marathon in November, where she will be lining up amongst the world’s elite women. Mamorallo Tjoka’s 5th position meant the NRC ladies took 5 out of the Top Ten positions. Remarkable running all around.

“I must be fitter than I thought,” said van Zyl after the race. “To run two really good times back to back like this, means that I am reaching another level in my running. I had no idea where the other ladies were so I just kept on pushing. But I had no idea I was on record pace, so that is a pleasant surprise.”

In the men’s race at the FNB Joburg 10K NRC’s Lesotho runner Namakoe Nkhasi claimed 3rd position in a time of 29:40. Another three top ten positions belonged to the NRC with Lebenya Nkoka finishing 8th (30:34), Edward Mothibi 9th (30:50) and Joel Mmone 10th (30:58).

At the Cape Town Marathon the NRC ladies made their mark with Urge Sokoka Diro finishing third in a new PB of 2:30:30. Teammates Neheng Khatala - who hails from Lesotho - claimed 7th position in a PB of 2:33:40 and new Lesotho record, while Ethiopian Almaz Fekade finished 9th in 2:35:42. Former Comrades Champ Charné Bosman won the Veterans category in 2:44:51, mentioning later that she has not run that time in years.

More top ten positions came in the men’s marathon with Negash Duki Abebe claiming 8th position (2:13:19) and Munyaradzi Jari 9th position (2:14:01). Another excellent performance came from Veteran runner Mthandazo Qhina, who - two days before his 41st birthday - smashed the almost 38-year-old Western Province age category record of Brian Mather (2:21:37) with his 2:20:31. It is the eighth fastest time ever by a South African veteran on a record-eligible course and the fastest since Hendrick Ramaala ran the SA record of 2:17:12 in the same race in 2015.

RESULTS
 

FNB JOBURG 10K CITYRUN

MEN
Open
3. Namakoe Nkhasi (NRC/LES) 29:40
8. Lebenya Nkoka (NRC/LES) 30:34
9. Edward Mothibi (NRC) 30:50
10. Joel Mmone (NRC) 30:58

WOMEN
Open
1. Irvette van Zyl (NRC) 33:52
2. Susy Chebet (NRC/KEN) 34:30
3. Gerda Steyn (NRC) 35:02
5. Mamorallo Tjoka (NRC) 35:39

SANLAM CAPE TOWN MARATHON & 10KM

Marathon
MEN
Open
8. Negash Duki Abebe (NRC/ETH) 2:13:40
9. Munyaradzi Jari (NRC/ZIM) 2:14:01
Veterans
1. Mthandazo Qhina (NRC) 2:20:31

WOMEN
Open
3. Urge Sokoka Diro (NRC/ETH) 2:30:30
7. Neheng Khatala (NRC/LES) 2:33:40
9. Almaz Fekade (NRC/ETH) 2:35:42
Veterans

1. Charne Bosman (NRC) 2:44:51

10KM
MEN
Open
4. Mothimokholo Hatasi (NRC/LES) 29:53

WOMEN
Open
1. Irvette van Zyl (NRC) 32:48
2. Rutendo Nyahoro (NRC/ZIM) 33:54
7. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 37:46 (1st Veteran)

Nedbank Running Club members enjoying the Hospitality area at the Cape Town Marathon

KPMG Press Statement on Running Club

KPMG South Africa announced today that it will not renew its sponsorship of the KPMG Running Club and the KPMG-Vorentoe Running Academy. The decision was taken following a strategic reshape of the business in June this year which included a review of the business’s corporate and social investment portfolio. This was a necessary yet challenging decision by the firm as it navigates a difficult period and continues to position itself in a more sustainable position in South Africa.  

The flagship club was launched in September 2015 as a CSI initiative to support sports development in South Africa. Focusing on running, over the course of three years the club has
worked with over 33 elite and 677 registered athletes across the country.

KPMG helped athletes with race expenses such as entry fees, travel and accommodation and for the elite athletes, financial support that enabled them to better dedicate their time to training. Contracts with the athletes and the KPMG Club management team ended on 31 August, however KPMG confirmed it will continue to provide a grace period before it fully withdraws support, this will enable some athletes to participate in upcoming major races in 2018. The elite athletes will still receive their retainers until 31 October 2018.

Gavin de Lange, Chief Operating Officer for KPMG South Africa said: “This has been a challenging period for the firm and we have had to make some hard decisions in an attempt to ensure that KPMG is fit for purpose and operating on a sustainable footing.”

“We are in direct consultations with the professional athletes and contractors who administer the club to ensure a smooth rollback of our support. KPMG South Africa is proud of what the club has achieved over the years and we hope to revisit a programme like this in the future.”

NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB WOMEN OVERSHADOW COMPETITORS LOCALLY & ABROAD

The Nedbank Running Club’s (NRC) female contingent definitely consists of some of the best female runners in the country. This was evident in the past week’s races held countrywide, and even internationally.

Some fantastic running came from NRC’s Ibet Allan (40) who won a bronze medal in the 40-age category at the World Masters Athletics Champs in Spain. She clocked a speedy 1:24:21 in a highly competitive field of 40 finishers. This was probably one of the closest finishes in a half marathon; only .01seconds separated the 2nd and 3rd placed finishers. Ibet’s fantastic performance comes shortly after she won the San Francisco Marathon about two months ago in a time of 1:22:12.

Teammates and Grandmaster Frances van Blerk put on a strong performance in the Women’s 60-age category, finishing in 17th position in a time of 2:00:16.

Back home more dominant performances came from the NRC ladies. Former Comrades Marathon champ Charné Bosman started her racing week off to a good start when she finished 3rd female overall and 1st Veteran at the Lester Mills Memorial 10km in Pretoria. Bosman crossed the line in 38:27. Teammate Portia Ngwenya finished just ahead of Bosman in a time of 38:07.

Three days later Bosman lined up for the women’s race of the Brooklyn Mall Andrew Greyling Memorial Half Marathon, which she won in a time of 85:43. In the process she also placed 1st Veteran.

Teammate and Grandmaster Margie Saunders, added to the NRC ladies medal tally when she finished second lady overall at the Friendly City Half Marathon in Port Elizabeth. She clocked a speedy 1:39, placing 1st Grandmaster.

NRC was also well represented over the short distances. Kobie Griffiths won the competitive UWC Street Mile in Belville in a time of 5:33.

For more results click here

NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB COMES OUT TOPS COUNTRYWIDE

While the Nedbank Running Club’s (NRC) Green Dream Team demolished the strong international and local field at the Cape Town Marathon and FNB Joburg 10K CITYRUN over the weekend, their NRC team mates too meant business by placing high up at most other local races countrywide.

It was especially the NRC’s runners from George who made sure there were no podium spaces left for any other runners at the Run with the Starts 10km race held in George. The men and ladies from the NRC achieved 20 podium positions at this race. All top three positions in the open category in both the men’s and women’s race belonged to the NRC, while the podiums were filled with age groupers from the NRC.

The NRC was also well represented in Brits where Kenyan NRC runner Kipkoech Chirchir won the men’s 25km Kromberg & Schubert race in 89:42. His teammate and fellow countryman Moses Njuguna placed 2nd in the Open category and first Veteran (50:44).

Onwards and upwards!

For more results click here