Spotlight: Absa Run Your City Tshwane 10K

Kenya's Salem Kibet and Doreen Cherop took the overall men's and women's titles in 28:45 and 31:35 respectively, but Nedbank Running Club athletes filled out a healthy share of the top 25 finishers and age-category podiums. Onalenna Khonkhobi (NRC Central North West) was the club's top finisher, 5th overall in 28:58, with Stephen Ngigi Kangethe (NRC International) close behind in 8th, 29:29. Thabang Mosiako (NRC Central North West) followed in 11th, 29:52, George Kusche (NRC GN) 13th, 30:13, Lloyd Bosman (NRC SWD) 19th, 30:40, Silvester KipKemboi Kipsang (NRC International) 20th, 30:45, Lucky Mohale (NRC CG) 23rd, 31:00, Simon Sibeko (NRC Central North West) 24th, 31:05, and Brian Muthomi (NRC International) 30th, 31:34. Kusche's run drew a special mention of its own — fresh off his course-record Comrades Marathon Up Run win in June, this was his first real test of speed back on the shorter distances, and 13th overall in 30:13 was a promising sign of the gears he still has in the tank.

In the women's race, Selam Gebre (NRC Ethiopia) led the club home in 6th overall, 33:35, with Mary Njambi (NRC International) 13th, 37:52, Megan Waller (NRC GN) 16th, 38:52, Tebogo Mokgosinyane (NRC CG) 17th, 39:37, and Skye Barker (NRC GN) 20th, 41:08. Waller and Barker's times were also good enough for 3rd and 4th in the Junior Women's category.

On the age-category podiums, Lucky Mohale (NRC CG) led the Men 40-49 in 31:00. Solice Makgetlaneng (NRC GN) topped the Men 50-59 in 36:17. Tebogo Mokgosinyane (NRC CG) won the Women 40-49 in 39:37, Ezna Flattery (NRC CG) claimed the Women 60-69 in 47:39, and Frances van Blerk (NRC CG) the Women 70+ in 57:35.

In the Mass Participation race, Lauren Kruger (NRC AVT) finished 3rd overall in 38:56, with Sphiwe Mtshayise (NRC GN) 2nd in the W15-19 category in 43:18 and Khanyisile Mtshayise (NRC GN) 3rd in 44:32.

World Masters Athletics Championships — Daegu, South Korea

Nedbank Running Club colours flew high in Daegu this weekend, with a gold medal and two more athletes making their mark on the world stage.

Dalene Sonnekus | World Champion

Dalene Sonnekus struck gold in the W60 2000m steeplechase final in 8:57.21, comfortably clear of the USA's Chiti (9:03.67) and Spain's Wickham Essery (9:03.71) for the World title. The very next day she backed it up with 7th place in the 10km road race, run in punishing heat.

Ingrid Koster

Ingrid Koster finished 10th in the W50 10km in 44:46 - a top ten world finish she was rightly proud of.

Anthony Grendon

Anthony Grendon topped his M65 800m heat in 2:25.96 to advance straight through to the final and lines up in the 1500m in the upcoming week.

NRC WPA (Western Province)

Bonteheuwel 10km

A fantastic day for the club's Development squad under Athlete Development Officer and Coach Ashley Smith, with all three athletes taken to the race delivering double podiums in the Open and Junior categories. On the men's side, Joshua Schouw was 2nd overall and 2nd Junior in a personal best 30:59, with Fernando Henkeman 3rd overall and 3rd Junior in a personal best 31:49. Zarah Lewis was 2nd overall female and 1st Junior Female on debut in 42:46. Charmaine Cupido showed that age is just a number, continuing her run of podium finishes with another win, this time in the W70-79 category.

Langebaan 10km & 21km

Out on the scenic West Coast at Langebaan, Adam Clark won the M50-59 category over 21km in 1:26:41, and Boy Makutu was 2nd in the M40-49 10km in 37:56 — two more solid results for the club on one of the region's most picturesque courses.

NRC AGN (Gauteng North)

Clearwater Mall 10km

Chrizell Roberts (NRC GN) took 1st Lady and Queen of the Mountain honours in 43:01, with Jackie Frey winning the W60+ category in 55:41, and Ontlametse Maherry 2nd Junior Male in 41:07.

Wanderers Discovery 21.1km

A big weekend for the club at the Wanderers Discovery, with Mapaseka Makhanya placing 3rd Female Overall and taking the win in the W40-49 category in 1:27:53. Karabo Koenaite added another podium, 3rd in the M40-49 category in 1:22:59.

NRC CGA (Central Gauteng)

Clearwater Mall 21.1km

Kabelo Melamu (NRC CG) placed 3rd in 1:12:14, and Tendai Nkomo (NRC CG) won the W40-49 category in 1:39:10.

NRC LVCC (Lowveld Country Club)

Cross the Line, Middelburg

Michelle Dykman won the Half Marathon in 1:27:32, working on getting the speed back in her legs after Comrades, and Kayla Coetzee (NRC MPU) won the women's 15km in a time of 56:59.

NRC SWD (South Western Districts)

Abristo Half Marathon, George

Selwyn Matthews took the overall win in the 21km, with Luciano Squire 3rd overall male and 1st Junior Male in 1:16:00. Carla Spangenberg took 1st Open Lady, with Minki Lotter 2nd Open Lady, giving Nedbank Running Club the top two steps of the women's podium. In the 10km, Austin Koopman took the win in 32:36, with Bruce Maboza 2nd in 32:41.

NRC KZN (KwaZulu-Natal)

La Lucia Mall

Benjamin Nyongesa won the 10km in 31:47, Victor Lapit was 2nd in the 21.1km in 67:55, and Nonhle Dlamini placed 3rd in the women's half marathon in 1:31:38.

Spar Women's Challenge, Pietermaritzburg

Dikiledi Majara broke through for the win at the annual Spar Women's Challenge in Pietermaritzburg, crossing the line in 35:41 - a hugely popular result among a field of thousands of women runners.

NRC EPA (Eastern Province)

A strong showing across the age groups at the Khulasande 10km in Gqeberha: Refeloe Solomons won both the Open and 40-49 women's categories in 38:59, and Andile Motwani took the Open men's title in 31:41. Category wins and podiums followed for Babalwa Ngcoko (1st, W35-39), Lubabalo Jusayi (2nd, M35-39), Zolani Mabongo (3rd, M40-49), Xolile Ndingane (2nd, M50-59) and Melikhaya Kepe (3rd, M50-59), Christine Claasen (1st, W60-69), Christopher Mabengeza (2nd, M60-69), and Don Charles (3rd, M70-79).

NRC International

In Uganda, Margaret Jepchumba won the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon in 2:39:16.

Looking Ahead

The club is back in action this weekend at the first-ever THIRSTI Spring Half Marathon and 10km in Tulbagh, in the heart of the Cape Winelands, on Saturday 29 August. Nedbank Running Club will have two big names in the Elite field: Comrades Marathon Up Run champion George Kusche, fresh off his blistering run in Tshwane, and Deanné Laubscher. All the best to everyone lining up in the Winelands this weekend!

That wraps up this week's round-up. A huge well done to every member of the green team who laced up this weekend - see you all out there again next week for another edition full of Nedbank Running Club results!

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