What makes the announcement of the five man and three women team significant is that it contains no fewer than four Nedbank Running Club athletes.

The inclusion of Stephen Mokoka (AGN), Xolisa Tyali (CGA) and Jeffrey Gwebu (CGA) in the men's team together with Poppy Mlambo (CGA) in the women's team bears testament to the exceptional quality of training and management in place within the Nedbank Running Clubs.

Under the expert guidance of running legends, Nick Bester, Zet Sinqe and Bruce Fordyce Nedbank continues to develop South African talent through the Running Clubs.

Athletes from 43 IAAF member countries have been entered for the Championships.

The team is not short of international experience with Stephen Mokoka and Jeffrey Gwebu representing South Africa at last year's World Half Marathon Championships in Brazil.

Nedbank congratulations our members on their selection and wishes them well during the Championships.

Nedbank Running Club is honoured to support the development of athletes to be able to become tomorrows heros.

Regards
Nick Bester
National Manager Nedbank Running Club

The team consist of:

(Athletes in Green are from Nedbank Running Club)

Men:
1.       Stephen Mokoka (AGN)
2.       Mbozeni Ngxazozo (CGA)
3.       Xolisa Tyali (CGA)
4.       Olebogeng Masire (ACNW)
5.       Jeffrey Gwebu (CGA)

Women:
1.       Annerien van Schalkwyk (AGN)
2.       Rene Kalmer (CGA)
3.       Poppy Mlambo (CGA)

So, here is all the low down on what to expect, what to do and what not to do:

I've entered & paid, what now?

There will be a PRE-RACE REGISTRATION on Saturday 17th at CAPESTORM in Bryanston, between 10am and 2pm. (Cnr William Nicol & Grosvenor Rd, Bryanston - 011 463 4909)
At registration, you will be able to sign the indemnity, pick up your number for the Series, and pick up any merchandise you have purchased.
The pre-race registration is to avoid any queues and resulting delays on the race day, particularly as the races will be starting earlier this time. It is not compulsory to attend the pre-registration.

This is a great opportunity to make use of one or both of the vouchers you will receive with your Series entry - three races or more - (R50 CAPESTORM voucher and R100 off a pair of Montrail Shoes, available at CAPESTORM). 10% off CAPESTORM products only, for all entrants.

Race venue?

Race 1 venue is in Hekpoort, Magaliesberg, a brand new venue for the Series. Although a tough route, the spectacular views and extra challenge make this run even more rewarding. 
Directions to the venue will be posted on www.trailseries.co.za in the week prior to the race.
A jumping castle will be available for all the kids.
Tea, coffee and food will be available at the venue, so bring a little cash along.
Great vibe comes standard.

What do I need to do when I arrive?

Follow the parking marshals to the parking area.

If you haven't been to the pre-registration, come to the CAPESTORM gazebo, collect your race number, sign the indemnity and collect any merchandise you ordered. If you have already registered, you can just turn up and run!

Wait for the start - 7am for the LONG and 7h15am for the SHORT
Don't...

forget to bring a water bottle or bladder system to run with if you need - there is no water en route and this is a particularly challenging route

bring your pets, please...
litter on the trail
Register online again for more races in the series - simply visit www.trailseries.co.za and 'Register Now'

Do...

bring your family and enjoy the venue
stay for prize giving - R1000's worth of prizes to be given away at each race (takes place at roughly 10h30am)
buy Trail Series merchandise (if you haven't already!) - especially the BRAND NEW, limited edition Trail Series branded CAPESTORM Puffadder!
What if my kids want to run?

Kids under 18yrs need to be signed in by a parent or guardian and are only eligible to run the short course.

Kids under the age of 10 must be accompanied by a parent/guardian .
The Gauteng Summer Trail Series is proudly sponsored by Montrail, CAPESTORM and Powerade

See you at the races!

Kind regards,

Owen, Tam and the Trail Series team

Be the first to know...

If you want to hear breaking trail running in South Africa, including the Trail Series launches and news - drop your email address into the subscribe box on www.trailseries.co.za

Entrance is free

Time: 7h00 PM2 events to be held in Pretoria

20 Oct             Irene Club (Agricultural Research Council Irene Campus, Olifants Fontain Road, Pretoria), contact Wynand 012-654 0005
21 Oct             Menlo Park High school, corner Rosemary & Atterbury Road, entrance through Rosemary Street, contact Janeen 082-415-4753 or Jenny 082 563 1803 

Comrades entry procedure for 2010 (new)

PHASE 1: PREVIOUS RUNNERS
01 September - 31 October 2009

PHASE 2: CALLING ALL NOVICES
1 November - 30 November 2009


On the 1st of November 2009 entries will open to all Novices ONLY and will be capped at 5,000. Entries will close on 30 November 2009, or whichever comes fi rst (eg. if we received 5,000 novice entries by 15th November 2009 then no further entries will be accepted).


Qualifying & Club Details

NO entries will be taken in 2010.

Qualifying period for 2010 will be as follows: 24 May 2009 to 26 April 2010.

Runners who finished the 2009 Comrades Marathon can use their finishing time as a qualifier for 2010. As in 2009, runners will be able to enter before they qualify. This means while all entries will have to meet the entry criteria above, runners will still be allowed to qualify in official qualifying races up until the month of April 2010, with the 26th April 2010 as the final cut-off date. Upon qualification, runners simply need to submit the time and details of the qualifying race through to the CMA office. Upon receiving the qualifying information the runner's entry will be confirmed.


Licenses for 2010 (for South African athletes only)

With the new opening and closing dates of entries for Comrades 2010, athletes will not be in possession of their 2010 licenses by the time of entry, however athletes will still have to comply with the rule that they must be licensed through an officially registered athletics club affiliated to Athletics South Africa in order to run the 2010 Comrades Marathon. As with the new qualifying criteria, you will be able to enter for Comrades 2010 before having received your 2010 license. You will however have to submit your club name and license number to the CMA before or by the 26th April. Failure to submit these details will result in your entry being rejected. Please note that the CMA will verify your license details with your club.

Date: 11 October 2009
Time: 08h00
Organisers: It's Time/SPAR
Distance: 10; ; 

Start: Old Parktonians Club
Randburg
Johannesburg
 
Enquiries:
Contact 1: Central Gauteng Athletics
(W) 011-8732726
(F) 011-8732786
 
Entry Details:
You can pre-enter up to two weeks before the event or at the start on the day, from 07h00 onwards.
Walkers are Welcome
 
Route Description:
Route Type: Circular
The race is fairly flat with a few moderately challenging stretches. From the start in Jan Smuts Avenue, you will be tested with a short uphill pull towards Randburg. The right turn into Republic Road offers some welcome relief, with a pleasant descent of two kilometres before turning onto the William Nicol Highway. The first water point is just over three-and-a-half kilometres from the start. Immediately after the spruit, the course turns into St Andrews for another pleasantly flat stretch.

The half-way mark comes just before a left turn and a climb up to Athol. Turn right for an easy downhill run for 750 metres to the seven-kilometre mark in the dip. Now comes the challenging climb back towards Jan Smuts Avenue, which is reached by crossing the grassy pavement for 10 metres. There is a gentle downhill stretch to the bridge across the Braamfontein Spruit, followed by a climb to Main Street.

The second drinks table is situated on the bridge across the spruit. Main Street is close to the finish at Old Parks, and there is generally a large crowd in this area to cheer you on. The end is now in sight - literally. Expect a steep downhill section as you turn right into Louis Street, and enjoy this stretch before the right turn into Garden Road, where you will start to climb again at the nine-kilometre mark.

The run-in is along Garden Road to the main gates of the Old Parks Grounds where you turn off the tar, proceed on to the paved car park and then on to the grass between the cricket field and the tennis courts. The finish is along the eastern side of the field at the soccer half-way line.