New kid on the block for the Nedbank Green Dream Team

Renier Grobler

Renier Grobler, Nedbank runner and previously the administrative officer at the Nedbank Running Club is busy climbing his way to the top.

Renier won the the Aspen Pharmacy marathon this weekend in Port Elizabeth against a strong field as well as against a very strong wind of 50 kilometers per hour.

He clocked 2 hours 32 minutes and 42 seconds to claim his first major marathon win in his short career.

He ran his second Comrades this year and what is significant about his Comrades times is that it is remarkably faster and yet similar if you compare his times to the equivalent times of Bruce Fordyce and Nick Bester for their first two Comrades marathons.

Bruce clocked 6h45, 6h11 and 5h51 for his first 3 races.

Nick ran 6h38, 6h12 and 5h39 for his 3 races.

Renier ran 6h31 and 6h10 for his first 2-both these times are faster than Bruce’s and Nicks first 2 races and if he carry on with this improvement we are looking at a possible Gold medalist next year coming Sunday the 2nd of June 2013 when the Comrades finish in Pieter Maritz burg.

Runner History : Bruce Fordyce
Race History
Year Direction Age Time Medal OverallPos Categ Pos Gender Pos
1977 Up 21 06:45:00 Silver 45 33 45
1978 Down 06:11:00 Silver 14 11 14
1979 Up 23 05:51:15 Gold 3 3 3

Runner History : Nick Bester
Race History
Year Direction Age Time Medal OverallPos Categ Pos Gender Pos
1985 Up 24  06:38:28 Silver 67 54 67
1987 Up 26  06:12:08 Silver 25 23 25
1988 Up 27  05:39:00 Gold 3 3 3

Runner History : Renier Grobler
Race History
Year Direction Age Medal OverallPos Categ Pos Gender Pos
2011   28 06:31:54 Silver 73 18 70
2012   29 06:10:40   51 6 49

Vacant part time position for a Club Administrator for the Nedbank Running Club CGA in Johannesburg.

We are requiring the services of a part time club administrator.

This is a part time position but the required person must be able to take care of club related telephone calls and e-mails during normal business hours.

Most duties will be performed after hours.

Remuneration negotiable.

The Administrators duties includes but not limited to the following.

- Licensing and registration of runners.

- Be responsible for the ordering and the selling of the club attire.

- Liaising with Central Gauteng Athletics and attend their meetings.

- Attending club committee meetings monthly.

- Organise the weekly time trial of the club .

- Organise and arrange weekly club training sessions.

- See that the club gazebo go up at races and arrange for refreshments.

- See that the Nedbank Running Club website is updated with all relevant club information.

- liaison with podium athletes and see to their pre-race requirements.

- A financial back ground will be a bonus but is not compulsory.

- Organise and arrange social functions like the year end party, prize givings,etc.

- Arrange and organise club tours to important races like Two Oceans and Comrades.

- co-ordinate seconding teams at appropriate events.

Please send you CV to Nick Bester nickb@lantic.net and Bruce Fordyce bfordyce@global.co.za

Nedbank Johannesburg annual Pub run and Charity drive

Grant Hallowell, once again organised the annual Pub run and Charity drive. We chose the auspicious date 12/12/12. The Charity selected was Sandton ‘Kitty and Puppy Haven’. A special thanks to our sponsors Bowman Gilfillan, Blue Label Telecoms and parkrun SA who helped us raise R6000 for charity.

Sixty five members and guests gathered at the George Lea Sports Club from where we set off on a 5km jog with four refreshment stations along the way.

The best dressed competition was won jointly by Jo- Anne Buchner and Sally Bevington, from our Modder branch, who put the most effort into their outfits. They are seen here with other Committee members and runners-up. Chairman and Ceo Bruce Fordyce, Ed ‘Cowboy’ Stoddard and Christopher Midlane (Race director)

The final pit stop was a foam slide kindly donated by Jo-Anne Buchner and Christopher Midlane. In the foam slide is Ash Stowell and Michelle.

Article and photographs by Gill Fordyce

Nick Bester visited the Nedbank Running Club Bloemfontein Achilles

Nick joined the Nedbank Running Club Bloemfontein Achilles for there weekly time trial on 5 December. Although the weather was bad, there was still a good turn up of members who enjoyed the time trial

There was great atmosphere after the time trial with everyone socializing and having a drink

By Bruce Fordyce from Nedbank

As we head into the new running year I have been asked on a number of occasions if it is advisable to try to run a Comrades/Two Oceans double in 2013.
As we head into the new running year I have been asked on a number of occasions if it is advisable to try to run a Comrades/Two Oceans double in 2013. Right now most runners are planning their race schedules for 2013 and many have noticed that we will have an unusually early Easter Saturday next year (30th March) and with Comrades planned for 2nd June this makes the thought of the double very tempting.

Of course there is a massive difference between running the double and racing the double. The former is strongly advised, the latter requires careful thought and planning. Over the years I have found the Two Oceans to be a wonderful training run for the Comrades and I run it every year, but only once, in 1983, have I actually raced the classic Cape race  For the purposes of this article let us assume we are discussing racing the double.

In most cases my advice is to resist the temptation and to select one of the two races at which to “go for broke”. This is particularly true when the two races are very close as was the case in 2011 when the Two Oceans was run in late April.(23rd) and the Comrades barely a month later (29th May). However it just possible to run both races in 2013 if runners follow a couple of important rules.

As most runners are aware racing a hilly ultramarathon such as the Two Oceans is very demanding.  It can take weeks to recover and then there is simply no time to build up again for a second “peak” at the Comrades. Nowhere is this better illustrated than by Stephen Muzhingi’s performance at both these races in 2012. Stephen ran a brilliant race to win the Two Oceans (I am extremely envious) but at Comrades he appeared jaded and tired and he ran a below par 5th place.

The key to surviving a hard run at the Two Oceans is to start conservatively.  The first 28 kilometres are flat and fast and it is very tempting to run too fast in these early stages. At about 29kilmetres the hills begin with the first serious climb being “Little Chapman’s” This is a very steep hill which can hurt a lot if run too quickly. It is followed by a steep downhill drop and then Chapman’s Peak proper.

Chapman’s is a monster and demands respect but at the top it is followed by the steep winding downhill plummet to Hout Bay Village. It is here that the most damage is inflicted on runners’ legs. This damage impacts on both the remainder of the Two Oceans itself and the Comrades marathon. Runners have to run this steep descent carefully. From Hout Bay Village it is possible to start running harder if runners have any strength left.

Using this approach I was able to race the two races fairly successfully back in 1983. ( Two Oceans 3:13 (4th) Comrades 5:30 (1st) My conservative approach to the Two Oceans, however meant that I had very little chance of winning that race. It is interesting to note that of the 3 runners ahead of me only Hosea Tjale in 3rd made it unscathed to the Comrades start line and he finished 6th overall.

Anyone who has run a fast Two Oceans feels it the next day, and the day after that. But even those who believe they have emerged unscathed need to be wary of hidden damage. For those intending to attempt the double I recommend at least a week’s rest after a hard Two Oceans and possibly even longer before resuming normal training, no matter how good the legs may feel.

This year the “double” is possible but it requires very strict discipline and more than a bit of luck to pull it off

Nedbank Running Club KZN defends their trophy

Nedbank Running Club Kwazulu Natal had a great time yesterday in the 15km challenge at westiville and defended their mini trophy bus. After the race they had some refreshments and talked about the resolutions for next year. Patricia Bahlman also got 3rd position overall in ladies with a time of 63.53.

AVBOB 15km 8 December 2012

Open – Men    Open - Women
1st Mtandazo Qhina 47:08        2nd Bulelwa Simea 57:13
50-59
2nd Rosten Isaacs 57:18
60+
Ivan Marais 1:06:22
1st Team                        1st Team
Mtandazo Qhina                  Bulelwa Simea
Sithilo Diko                    Candyce Hall
Rosten Isaacs                   Kariaan de Villiers
Pieter Hanekom                  Chantelle Simmons

Ernst Louw 10KM 05 December 2012

Open – Men                      Open - Women
1st Lloyd Bosman 33:44          2nd Marie Wolmarans 45:28
3rd Alfonzo Pieterse 34:12
40-49
2nd Jacobus Boshoff 41:19
50-59                           50-59
1st Hermanus Jonkerman 38:15    1st Marie Wolmarans 45:28
STAPPERS 
Women
1st Anél Oosthuizen 55:40

Parc Du Cap 10km

Open – Men
1st Mthandazo Qhina 31:51
60+
1st Ivan Marias 47:27

Aspen Pharmacare Marathon 1 December 2012

Open – Men                                  Open - Women
1st Renier Grobler 2.32.42        2nd Davera Magson 3.12.02
2nd Mila Pasiya 2.33.59
3rd Zingisile Marikeni 2.40.14
35-39 Men                                      35-39 - Women
1st Zingisile Marikeni 2.40.14    1st Davera Magson 3.12.02
3rd Thobile Xata 2.45.36
40-49 – Men                                  70+ - Men
1st Luvuyo Stephen 2.46.54      1st Tamsanqa Jusayi 3.42.29

Zingisile Marikeni, Renier Grobler & Mila Pasiya-First 3 men in the marathon

Lesotho High Altitude Marathon

42km.
Open – Women                  Veteran - Women
2nd Lizih Chokore 3:13    1st Jane Mudau
Veteran – Men                    Grand Mater - Men
1st Jerry Modiga                3rd Patrick mafilika

Lizih Chokore finishing in second place 

Langeberg Mall Velskoen 32KM – 01 Desember 2012

Open – Men                                     40-49
1st Gershwill Jacobs 1:56:00      2nd Lindile Tokota 2:07:28
50-59                                                 60-69
1st Sydney Landsberg 2:11:07    1st Johan Keuler 3:51:00

10km
Open – Men                                     50-59
3rd Alfonso Pieterse 36:09          1st Hermanus Jonkerman 41:33
Open – Women                              40-49
3rd Marie Wolmarans 46:42        1st Sunett de Jager 50:58
50-59
1st Marie Wolmarans 46:42

Walkers
Women
1st Anél Oosthuizen 58:37

RACE REPORT - NOLENE CONRAD

SATURDAY 01 DECEMBER 2012-Street Mile – Thembisa

Nolene reported:
“I was approached by the race organizer to attend their event as it is a community project and by inviting top athletes they can hopefully motivate and encourage young and old to participate and look up to us as role models . It was a community project to showcase talent and to give youngsters something to work towards.

I enjoy doing community projects as it is an opportunity to give back and motivate others.

This Mile attracted a few top athletes and the route was good, however I am in intense endurance training so a mile is a bit too fast at the moment. I finished in 2nd position, time 5.13.07, winning time was 4.55.69”

Nolene on the podium and during the race.

SUNDAY 02 DECEMBER 2012
Summer Challenge 10km – Auckland Park

Nolene added “I finished in 2nd position with a time of 37:27. The route was really hilly and tough and I did not feel comfortable in the race. My body felt tired at 3km, think it is all the distance I have been doing in the week. It was also cold and rainy”

Eagles Muller Potgieter 10/15km 1 December 2012

15km
Open – Men                                            40-49
1st Sipho Ncube (Nedbank) 52:20    1st Sipho Ncube (Nedbank) 52:20
50-55
1st Sam Ndala (Nedbank) 63:27

Vital 21km 1 December 2012
Open – Men                                     50-59
1st Nkosinathi Madyo 1:11:14     3rd Rosten Isaacs 1:31:42
Open – Women
2nd Bulelwa Simae 1:29:37

Loyds Bosman from the The Nedbank Running Club in George produced another sterling performance by winning the Vital 10 kilometer race in Western Cape with a time of 31 minutes and 07 seconds

Bearing Man Stainbank Cup15km 2 December 2012-Nedbank KZN

A tough hilly course which goes through the Stainbank Nature Reserve for 5km. One of the harder races on our KZN calendar!

Men                                                                  Women
2nd (35–39) Jonathan Edwards 56:33    1st Cary-Ann Smith 59:35

1st overall - Cary-Ann Smith 59:35

Pio Mpolokeng report on their December Training Camp.

“The athlete’s arrival in Setlagole yesterday was met with pouring rain. We took 9 athletes on this very important training camp. Namely- Joel Mmone David Manja Stofel Sebua Seng , Donald Meleane Collins Mabu, Steven Mokubung, Tumelo Mokabane Glen Phungwayo and Tshepo Setlhare The team will be back on 31 December 2012 and will be ready to race against the best athletes in South Africa.”

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