PHOTO CAPTION: The blind junior athlete, Danie Breitenbach (No 1131) is guided by Barry Williams (No 59) at the Naval Hill 10 km road race on Saturday (14 September 2013). Breitenbach clocked his personal best time of 40:25. Behind them is yet another Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles athlete, Rouxné Vermaak who gave good account of herself when finishing third overall in the Open-women race.
PHOTO: JOHAN ROUX
REPORT: Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles 64th Allan Ferguson/Twizza Round-Naval Hill 10 km Road Race
The running of the oldest Road Race in the Free State, the Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles 64th Allan Ferguson/Twizza Round-Naval Hill 10 km saw Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles athletes clinch no less than seven (7) of the possible thirteen (13) categories at this prestigious race.
However, the open men- and woman races were won by two Transnet representatives, who represented South Africa in long distance events before.
Samuel Segoaba (Transnet), who wore the Green-and-Gold at the world halfmarathon championships in Brazil and represented the country at a world cross country championships had no time to play at the Naval Hill race on won in a quick 30:12 – exactly 30 seconds faster than his closest rival, Emmanuel Mkhabela (Individual, 30:42).
Annah Moeketsi (Transnet), a former SA Schools representative in the 1500 m had it all her own way by winning the women race by nearly a minute in 37:27.
Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles’ Rouxné Vermaak, who usually guides the brilliant Achilles blind athlete, Louzanne Coetzee had the opportunity to give it het all on her own as Coetzee did not take part due to illness. Vermaak ran a brisk 42:05 for overall third spot among the women.
The 63 year old Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles stalwart, Paulus Mpho (Grand Masters, 60 years plus) improved his 10 km time of a week ago by close to two minutes to enter a win at the naval Hill race in this category in a magnificent 42:56.
Charmaine van der Walt (Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles) scored a convincing win in the Masters Ladies race (50 – 59 years) in a respectable 48:21.
The biggest cheer of the day went to the blind student from the Kovsies, Danie Breitenbach who was guided by his regular guide Barry Williams from the Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles Club. They crossed the finish line in a brilliant 40:25!! This is close to four (4) minutes faster than Breitenbach’s previous best performance.
The other category winners from Nedbank Bloemfontein Achilles were:
Men:
Veterans (40 – 49 years): Francis Ntsoeu (37:28).
Masters (50 – 59 years): Sidney London (42:56).
Women:
Veterans (40 – 49 years): Jonine Relling (44:45).
Grand Masters (60 – 69 years): Louise Combrinck (1:01:37).
Great Grand Masters (70 years plus): Willemien Smuts (52:30).
REPORT BY: RUFUS BOTHA