Mokoka's performance is the best by a South African runner since Norman Dlomo's 10th place in 2005, and the team's performance in the team competition the best since 2002 when South Africa was fifth.

Nedbank Running Club's sole woman runner did equally well, with Poppy Mlambo, who finished in a personal best time of 74min 27 seconds to make sure the South African team finished an incredible 6th position in the team category with a time of 3:36:30 - the best ever performance by a South African women's team.
The other members of the S.A. ladies team were Rene Kalmer and Annerien van Schalkwyk who both finished in the top twenty. Kalmer came home in 15th place in a personal best time of 70:37 followed by Van Schalkwyk in 20th place in a time of 71:26

Mokoka ran a well judged race staying in sight of the leading group. He passed the 5km mark in 14:30, 10km in 29:05; 15km in 12th place in 43:52 and moved into 8th place at the 20km mark in 58:15.

In the men's race Mokoka was followed by Olebogeng Masire in 29th place in a time of 63:13; Mbongeni Ngxazozo 36th in  63:47; Jeffrey Gwebu (Nedbank athlete) 42nd in 64:11 and Xolisa Tyali (Nedbank athlete) 85th in 69:12.

Nedbank are proud to be associated with winners and will keep on supporting our future champion athletes.

"I made a considerate decision to stop my competitive running career. This is because when I resumed serious training a month after this year's Comrades Marathon I again started to feel painful "clicking" in my knee. I had same thing during the race this year, which forced me to slow down on the downhills and in the end resulted in severe (near) cramping and weakness in my quads in the last 18-20km during the race. What was worse - I couldn't get rid of the feeling that my knee may "lock" at any moment, and the race would have been over for me. I was lucky to come home 2nd on the day, and I don't want to get in the situation when I devote half a year of my life preparing to 2010 run and end up stopping or slowing down like it happened to me in 2002. I think I was lucky enough to break both Comrades records."

Leonid also stated that through running the Comrades Marathon that he has been privileged to meet many great South Africans, and that he has forged excellent relationships with South Africans.

Leonid intends to continue running in order to maintain a healthy and fit lifestyle, as well as continue with coaching runners.

"This was not and easy decision as running took the biggest part of my life for over 30 years. In fact, September 23rd this year  was 30 years. I have completed 44 marathons (and 5 Comrades), ran in 2 Olympic Games and held the Russain National Marathon record for over 10 years, (broken by a runner that I trained 2 years ago). I think I left my small "footstep" in the history of running"

"I am a family man and now a business man to, and recently expanded my business, which is keeping me very busy."

The CMA wished Leonid all the best for his future, and he will be missed come 30 May 2010, as he is a fierce competitor, and has definitely left his mark on the Comrades Marathon. After all he is the current record holder for the "Up" and "Down" runs respectfully.

Entries are still open. Visit www.trailseries.co.za and follow the link 'Register Now'. Alternatively, you can enter at the PRE-RACE REGISTRATION on Saturday 17th at CAPESTORM in Bryanston, between 10am and 2pm. (Cnr William Nicol & Grosvenor Rd, Bryanston - 011 463 4909). There you can pick everything up and sign the indemnity. You can also 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). For all entrants, 10% off any CAPESTORM product.

Race 1 venue
The first race this series is a tough route, but spectacularly rewarding.
A jumping castle will be available for all the kids.
The venue will provide food and drinks, including a cash bar. Please support the venue and buy your beers and the hard stuff at the bar!
On the grill:

Boerewors rolls, chicken kebabs with roll
 At the Summit pub and restaurant:

Toasted sandwiches, Summit salads, Summit sandwiches - deli style sandwiches on farm bread - cake, muffins, ice cream, soft drinks & bottled water, fruit juice, tea and coffee, beers, spirits, coolers, wine.

When you arrive, follow the parking marshals to the parking area. Find the CAPESTORM gazebo to register (if you haven't already done so at the pre-registration). The start will be at 7am for the long course and 7:15am for the short course.

And finally, the usual do's and don't s:

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.

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 9h30am)
buy Trail Series merchandise (if you haven't already!) - especially the BRAND NEW, limited edition Trail Series branded CAPESTORM Puffadder!

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

RANK	RUNNER	CLUB	TOTAL	RACES
1	Rene Kalmer	Mr Price CG	122	4
2	Maxine Heine-Wacker	Nedbank CG	100	4
3	Michelle Bartman	Harfield Harr	96	5
4	Irvette van Blerk	Nedbank CG	86	4
5	Jenna Challenor	Boxer	83	5
6	Poppy Mlambo	Nedbank CG	80	4
7	Thozama April	Celtics	70	5
8	Annerien v Schalkwyk	Irene	64	2
9	Maya Lawrie	Boxer	62	5
10	Sonja Laxton	RAC	59	5
11	Bianca van Niekerk	Nedbank CG	56	3
12	Lebo Phalula	UJ	54	2
	Lebogang Phalula	UJ	54	2
14	Ronel Thomas	Bashewa	50	4
15	Danielle Adlam	Boxer	45	5
16	Tshifhiwa Mundalamo	Nedbank CG	44	3
17	Maritejie Ceronio	Nedbank Vaal	39	3
18	Ezbe Strydom	Univ NW	38	2
19	Eunice Nhlapo	Gauteng Str	36	3
20	Marlize Retief	Nedbank AGN	34	2

SPAR GRAND PRIX 2009 FINAL POINTS TOP 10 CLUBS

	CLUBS	POINTS
1	Nedbank CG	426
2	Boxer	228
3	Mr Price CG	143
4	Univ Jhb	126
5	Harfield Harriers	96
6	Celtics	92
7	Nedbank GN	84
8	Irene	66
	Gauteng Striders	66
10	RAC	65

ORGANISED UNDER THE AUSPICES OF NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB AGN.
We whant this race to be a great success and ask that the Nedbank Running Club members support and join us for the race on 24 October 2009

Race Flyer

Event Date : 24 Oct 2009
Province : Mpumalanga
Venue : Delmas High School Sports Grounds
Online Entries : www.entrytime.com
Online Start Date : 07 Aug 2009
Online End Date : 21 Oct 2009
Contact : Jacky
Contact Number : 079 526 6827 
  

Distance & Entry Fee
42.2km - R68.40
21.1km - R46.00
10km - R26.00
5km - R16.00
420m Mini Marathon - 11H00 - R5.00
 

Start Time
42.2km - 06H30
21.1km - 06H30
10km - 06H45
5km - 06H45
 

Venue
Delmas High School Sport Grounds
 

General Information
1. Gold medals to the first five men and women in each event
2. Silver medals to next fifteen men and women in each event
3. Bronze medals to all finishers in all events
4. Refreshment stations will be available approximately every 3 kilometres on the route and at the finish
5. Ample and secure parking
6. Safe and secure children's area in the care of qualified nursery school teachers at R30.00 per child
7. Lots of entertainment for the whole family.
8. Entries accepted on race day from 05h30 to 5 minutes before start
9. Fast and flat route - great for new PB.
10. Many Lucky Draw Prizes!
 

Race Rules
1. 2009 Licence number and/or temporary licences will be valid
2. The race will be run in accordance with the Rules of ASA and AMPU
3. Foreign athletes must observe IAAF Rule 4 paragraph 2
4. All licensed competitors must run in official club colours and must wear their 2009 licence or temporary licence on the back of their vests
5. Athletes competing for a category prize must wear official age category ID tags on the front and back of their vests and category winners must submit proof of age on request
6. No seconding will be allowed and no blades, cycles or mechanically operated devices allowed along the route
7. Traffic officers and race marshals must be obeyed at all times
8. Athletes participate at own risk and indemnify the national, provincial and regional bodies, sponsors and organisers of the race against any and all actions of whatever nature that may occur during the race
9. No pets or animals allowed along route
10. Participants must start at times and distances entered for
11. Prize giving will start after cut-off times for different races and lucky draws will commence after prize giving for 42.2km event. All prize winners must be present at the prize giving ceremony to collect their prizes. Winners who fail to comply will automatically forfeit their prize
12. The race organisers reserve the right to accept or reject any entry
 
 
Cut - Off Time
42.2km - 12h30
21.1km - 10h00
10km - 08h45
5km - 07h45
 
 

DATE: Sun 1 Nov
TIME: from 06h00
EVENTS: 42.2km, 20km walk, 10km run and 5 km fun run
CONTACT: Athletics South Africa (011) 880 5800  or  Central Gauteng Athletics (011) 873 2726

If there is one marathon every South African runner (and Citizen) needs to do it is this one. Known as the People's Marathon, it could equally be called the Friendliest Marathon based on the ever-present crowd support and encouragement. The streets are lined by the community, cheering, chanting and encouraging runners.

As an appetiser, this is what you will experience on the route: ".....to tour the most famous section of the township - Vilikazi Street in Orlando West. This is the only street in the world to be home for two Nobel Peace Laureates - Nelson Mandela and Archbishop Desmond Tutu. As runners wind and climb the hill they also pass Uncle Tom's Community Hall and see the Hector Pietersen Museum and memorial that commemorates the 1976 student uprising. Coming back through to Vilikazi street a simple brick wall marks the spot where Hector Pietersen was shot, which contrasts strongly with the rapturous welcome runners can expect just 300m up the hill at Nambitha pub and restaurant where patrons will enjoy breakfast as runners commence their drop down past Winnie's house."...... 

Come be a part of this event over what is certainly a challenging course, but one that is filled with the history that forged the New South Africa.

Online entries and more information at www.nedbanksponsorships.co.za