November 2009-11-15
This year we commemorate the second year of the Nedbank Running Club Gauteng North. We are the 2nd biggest of the Nedbank Running Clubs with a membership of 295 athletes.
Our athlete's achievements
Junior Shaun Zuzani ran a 29:44 minutes for 10km in Durban, Stephen Mokoka ran a 28:21min for SA Championship 10km race and 61:26 minute 21.1km, George Mofokeng ran the Nedbank Cape Town City Marathon in a time of 2:14:20, Josia Thugwane won the Loskop Dam Race in 2:47:53, Lucas Nonyana won the IAU 50km World Trophy Final. Our ladies, Loveness Madiba ran a 36:37 min at the PetroSA 10 km, Sharon Tavengwa ran a 1:17min at Nedbank Bloemfontein 21.1km and 2:44 min for the 42.2km at Petrosa, Lesley Train was the 3rd lady to win the IAU 50km World Trophy
Comrades Marathon: Lucas received 5th place, Peter Malapo 8th and Harmans Mokgadi 10th. Our ladies, Lesley came 6th Lindsay v Aswegen 8th and Belinda Waghorn 9th. Nedbank collect 9 gold medals of which 6 were won by GN.
Our club events
This year a braai evening was held at the CBC, Groenkloof club every first Thursday of the month. During the winter months pizzas were more served which was convenient due to weather.
Lucky draws were given out at 2 time trials, courtesy of Run Away Sports and NB Sport.
On the weekend of the 18 April, a tent site with a tent was rented for members who wanted to do the Loskop Marathon.
A Two Oceans party was held, and every Two Oceans runner received a Two Oceans bottle of wine, the bright idea of Debbie Fourie.
A Comrades party was held on the 14 May 2009, Nic Bester wished everyone a good race and every runner received a cotton T-shirt with Comrades 2009 printed on the back. Debbie and Fanie provided an exceptional curry and rice supper. A few lucky draws were held. These were provided by Run Away Sports and NB Sports. A pair of shoes was donated for lucky draw by Reebok, Jacky Grassman was the lucky person, with the right shoe size.
The Year end function was held on the 31 October at the LAPA of the CSIR, Nyama Catering provided us with a Sheep Braai, which was wonderful. Trophies were engraved with current year winners and a small trophy was given to the winners present. Unfortunately most participants were not present due to races being run in South Africa and overseas.
The club was present at the Delmas 4 n 1 race, a bus was hired from Dewald Steyn to transport athletes from Pretoria to Delmas. The race was very success ful and promises to be a great event in the future.
The tent was pitched at 12 races to date, with sport drinks and refreshments were provided at certain races. The tent became more popular as the year progressed.
Incentives
For Comrades 7 members were chosen and R500 was payed out to these members to run the race. These members were chosen on merit. They are not sponsored members and no means of paying for accommodation and travelling costs. The following members were chosen: Milton Molombo, Alfred Mathobo, James Mlambo, Joseph Molaba, Rendan Munyai, John Tjale, and Maureen Mahlatsi. Two members did not run due to illness. James Mlambo bettered his time from last years Comrades with 1hour and 34 minutes and missed silver by 9 minutes. Both Milton and Alfred received silver medals.
In order to boost the Time Trial run and celebrate next Years Comrades a challenge was started in October. A member with the most time trail attendances will received R3000, 2nd place R2000 and 3rd place R1000.
Recommendation
Communication plays a vital role. Not all members have access to email and internet. A lot of emails are blocked by companies due to spam e-mail. Many emails are incorrect and obsolete. To reach more people a batch SMS program could be used.
As the year ends, I thank the Nedbank, Nic Bester, the Nedbank running club committee and members for their commitment and support. It was my privilege to stand as chairman for the Nedbank running club for 2009. I wish the new chairman and committee every success for 2010.
Louise Nortman
Chair person 2009
