Xolile Yawa to spearhead Nedbank Development Club in Bloemfontein

Nine time SA 10 000m Champion and SA representative at the 1992 Olympic Games and 1997 World Championships in the 10 000m, Xolile Yawa will spearhead the newly formed Nedbank Development Club in Bloemfontein.

The opening of another development club shows the commitment of Nedbank and the Nedbank Running Club to continue to grow the sport of athletics and provide up and coming athletes with opportunities to show case their talent.
The new club will be the fourth one to open under the banner of the Nedbank Running Club with the Nedbank Soweto Development Club under the guidance of Siyaya Khoza, the Nedbank Development in Klerksdorp spearheaded by Pio Mpolokeng and the Nedbank Development Club in Pretoria looked after by legend Enoch Skosana.
“It is important that we continue to strive for more development. Whilst we do our best to make sure the top end of the sport is looked after by sponsoring some of the best runners in the country, it is also vital that we look after the next generation, how else would the sport grow and how else can we expect to perform on the international circuit,” says Nedbank Club Manager, Nick Bester.
“The Nedbank Green Dream Team has three of the top contenders for the Rio Olympics in the Marathon. That is the pinnacle of achievement. Now we are looking for new talent for 2020 and beyond and we know that the Bloemfontein and Free State are is full of incredible young athletes.
The club opens it doors on 1 March 2016 and Club Chairman Xolile Yawa is looking forward to the opportunity. “In my heyday we had the backing of big corporate amongst others and to now have Nedbank come on board and provide us with this opportunity is truly phenomenal. I have seen some incredible athletes come from the Free State, including Pretoria Nedbank Development Club Chairperson Enoch Skosana. He used to train on the track here in Bloemfontein and it was also here that he won his greatest victory over Hendrick Ramaala in a 3000m race. It really is incredible to see how all the legends are beginning to get involved in the sport and pass on their knowledge,” says Yawa, referring to Hendrick Ramaala who is currently spearheading the training of the Nedbank group of athletes who are preparing for the Olympic Games, including Sibusiso Nzima who finished 4th in Seville on 21 February with a new personal best and the second best Olympic Qualification time.

Nzima makes huge claim on Olympic Marathon place

In only his third every Marathon, Sibusiso Nzima has made a huge claim for his position on the Olympic Marathon team when the 29 year-old Nedbank Green Dream Team Athlete finished 4th at the 2016 Seville Marathon on Sunday 21 February, breaking his personal best by almost 2minutes.
Run in near perfect conditions, Nzima was confident at the start of the race of running one of the better Olympic Qualifying times to date.
“The conditions where near perfect,” said Nzima after the race. “Not a breath of air and a temperature of 8 degrees, made it perfect for the marathon, so I felt confident when they announced that the pace would be 1:04:00.”
The pacemakers thought did not seem to get that message as they took the pace out at near 2:05 pace, with the first 5km run under 15 minutes.
“I backed off then, as I knew this was not the plan,” Nzima said, showing maturity beyond his years for someone who was only in his third marathon.
Only eventual winner, Cosmas Kiplimo stayed with the pace makers and eventually time trialed to a 2:08.14 win.
The rest of the field stayed together for most of the way, with 10km being passed in 30:05, 15km in 45:21, halfway in 1:04.32.
Nzima had been targeting a 2:09-2:10 finish but ended up running on his own between 25km and 35km, using his Garmin as pacemaker. At 37km though he started to cramp in both legs. “I dropped then from 3:03 pace to 3:20 and 3:30/km pace to make sure I finish the race well within the Olympic Qualifying time”.

And this he did by crossing the line 4th in 2:11.42. Only 24 seconds separated positions 2 through 5.

Nzima has now posted the second fastest Olympic Qualifier behind Stephen Mokoka who clocked 2:07.40 in Shanghai in November, 2015. Mokoka though is looking to qualify for the 10 000m making Nzima at this point the number one contender for the Marathon team.
Second best time goes to another Nedbank Athlete, Lungile Gonqa who ran 2:11.59 at the Cape Town Marathon in September last year.
Both train with Hendrick Ramaala at Zoo Lake and both have improved their Personal Bests since training with Ramaala and are a vital component of the Nedbank Green Dream Team.

Nothling targets Rio

Twenty-two-year-old Theodore Nothling is the latest member to join the Nedbank Green Dream Team when he signed up in the beginning of 2016. Nothling is a 1500m specialist who has his eyes firmly set on the Rio Olympic Games. This is now the second athlete running in the light green of the Nedbank Running Club to target the metric mile race, the other being Folavio Sehole.

“I Joined Nedbank just after the EC 2000m that I ran on 3 February in the Eagles Club 2000m Shootout. As I am no longer studying I felt in need of a professional club that can help and support me.”

Nothling’s preparations seem to be picking up after he successfully defended his 1000m title on Friday 19 February at the UJ Stadium and in the process broke his own record by 0.10 seconds clocking 2:21.86.

“The first 100m was very argy bargy with a lot of pushing going on. I even had someone rip my race number which became so distracting that I ripped it off completely and ran with it in my tights.”

Nothling dropped to the back of the back as he did not want to get up caught in the pushing and shoving. It also was part of a pre race plan devised by himself and 1999 World Indoor 800m Champion Johan Botha who now coaches Nothling.
“We decided that the first lap would be conservative and then pick up as the race goes along. So with 300m to go I was feeling good and decided to go hard in the back straight. In the last 100m I just kept my rhythm and it was enough to get the win.”

“It was great having Johan and my father there to watch,” Nothling continued and then let us know how he sees 2016. My plans for the year are to get into a fast 1500m where somebody pushes the pace. I would like to see just what I can do when the pace is hot from the beginning!”
Nothling is hoping to be able be part of some fast 1500m races in both South Africa and abroad and to ultimately try and get onto the 1500m to the Rio Olympics.

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Comrades Roadshow in Durban this week

Comrades Marathon runners from Durban are in for a treat this week as the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) take its annual roadshow programme to Glenwood (24.2.2016) and Verulam (25.2.2016).

The informative road-running session crammed with hints and tips from the Comrades Coach, Lindsey Parry, is aimed at getting runners prepared for the 91st Comrades Marathon on Sunday, 29 May 2016.

The sought-after roadshow programme has been an ongoing feature of the CMA’s annual drive to engage with Comrades runners and empower them with training tips, nutritional advice, injury prevention and other relevant road-running information.

CMA General Manager, Chris Fisher says, “Our 2016 Comrades Marathon roadshows have been hosted at running clubs across the country with the final ones coming up at two Durban venues this week. The turnout has been amazing with many runners heeding the advice of the Comrades Coach and stepping up their Comrades training.”

Entry is free. Details of the Durban leg of the roadshow are as follows:

COMRADES MARATHON ROADSHOW PROGRAMME - DATES & VENUES

For more information, please visit www.comrades.com

Top Nedbank Running Club Athletes to compete in the Gaborone Marathon on 3 April 2016

For more information on the event click here

Van Zyl continues to impress

Nedbank Green Dream Team member, Irvette van Zyl, who has her sights firmly set on the Olympic Marathon and possibly also the 10 000m, continues to show incredible form in her build up to the London Marathon.
Van Zyl having already clocked 33:30 at the George Claasen 10km and 72:08 at the Johnson Crane Half Marathon, lined up at the Tuks Best Med 10km on Saturday 20 February. It proved to be a disappointing excursion for van Zyl as she had to contend with a huge contingent of back markers from the half marathon in the latter part of the race.
Having set out in search of a low 33-minute clocking, van Zyl and team mate Rutendo Nyahora glided through the first 3km before van Zyl opened a gap. But from the there, problems arose.
“My pace was on track for a low 33 min 10km and I was feeling strong and confident with a good session done in training earlier in the week. I knew I was capable of such time. Except the route didn't allow for it.
After 4km us 10km runners started to catch the back markers of the 21km run and with the route including a slow drag of up-hills between 4km and 8km, including many twists and turns it made it difficult for me to run as fast as I wanted. Conditions being quite humid and hot for a 6h30 start didn't help either.”
Van Zyl was only able to open up again within the last 2km as the half marathon and 10km route split and she had open road ahead of her again.

“It was too late though to make up for a bad middle section of the race and I crossed the line first in 33:55. Not what I wanted to run. But under circumstances I felt satisfied. It is still a good training run in preparation for my main goal in April London Marathon.”

Rutendo Nyahora made it a 1-2 for the Nedbank Running Club, whilst Kgosi Tsosane and Collen Mailola went 1 and 3 in the men’s race.

Lelani van Zyl won the ladies Masters section in the half marathon and Francis van Blerk, aunt of van Zyl won the Grandmasters division.

Results
21.km
Masters 1 Lelanie van Zyl 1:43:23
Grandmasters 1 Francis van Blerk 1:49:32

10km - Men
Open
1 Kgosi Tsosane 30:22
3 Collen Mailola 31:22

Women
Open
1 Irvette van Zyl 33:55
2 Rutendo Nyahora 34:56

Nine in top ten at SA Marathon Championships

Had athletes been able to run in Club Colours on Saturday 20 February at the National Marathon Championships, then the Green of the Nedbank Running Club would once again have been very prominent.
Lungile Gonqa, who ran a personal best for the marathon of 2:11.59 in September last year at the Cape Town Marathon, was the first Nedbank Athlete across the line in second place on a course that was incredibly tough for a national championship and held in unbelievably windy conditions.
Gonqa made a late charge through the field after Lucky Mtshali and Nedbank Athlete Ntsindiso Mphakati stormed to the front of the race within the first 8km. With winds gusting up to 40km/hr and the athletes running straight into the teeth of the wind, this was never going to be a fast time, 12km was passed in 40minutes.
Mtshali pushed hard and broke away from Mphakati around 17km, the latter deciding that the strong headwind was sapping too much energy. That proved to be accurate as Mtshali started to fade at 23km and was caught by Mphakati at 26km. Mtshali shortly thereafter stepped off the course.
At 28km Mphakati was joined by Chabede Nyedima, also of the Nedbank Running Club, and the two proceeded to set that pace until Lucas Jani of Gauteng North took over at 32km. Jani and Mphakati traded the lead for a while before Mphakati fell off and was eventually passed by the fast finishing Gonqa.
“I started conservatively,” said Gonqa, “because the course is very tough and the wind was hard. When the runners started coming back at me, I pushed and ended up second, with which I am quite happy,”
Mphakati was third and Chabeli Nyedima came in 5th. 2013 Comrades Marathon Champion, Claude Moshiywa finished 7th, with Africa Mailola 8th.

Mapaseka Makhanya was second in the ladies’ race, after using the first 30km as a hard run and then relaxing the final 12km. “I am happy with my form and am looking forward to my race in Daegu in April.”
Finishing 7th, 8th and 9th were Louisa Leballo, Bulelwa Simae and Fikile Mbuthuma.
Once again the Nedbank Green Dream Team showed why they are the strongest club in the country.

Results Men
2. Lungile Gonqa - 2:22.17
3. Ntsindiso Mphakathi - 2:23.12
5. Chabeli Nyedima - 2:27.09
7. Claude Moshiywa - 2:28.57
8. Africa Mailola - 2:30.39
Women
2. Mapaseka Makhanya - 2:51.20
7. Louisa Leballo - 3:04.19
8. Bulelwa Simae - 3:07.27
9. Fikile Mbuthuma - 3:08.15

Kurgat sends ominous warning to Old Mutual Two Oceans rivals

Nedbank Running Club, Moses Kurgat paced himself well to win the 52nd edition of the Peninsula Marathon on Sunday 21 February, a race that, if the wind does not blow, is billed as one of the fastest in the country.

Kurgat has his eyes firmly set on this years Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and seems to be coming into form at the right time. The Nedbank Green Team member is a 2:09 marathon runner (2:09.30 – Cannes, 2011; 2:09.59 – Enschede, 2012), Kurgat recently decided to move up to the Ultra and has the speed to give the big guns a real scare.
A week ago, Kurgat was rampant in his win at the McCarthy Toyota Half Marathon winning in 66:31.

He won the Peninsula Marathon in a time of 2:24.00

ACNW Track - 23 February 2016

800m Senior Men
3. Johnny Williams 1:54 PB again
4. Thabang Mosiako 1:55  PB

1500m Senior Men
1. Thabang Mosiako 3:54

Nedbank Running Club Development Athletes at the Track and Field

Over 40 of Nedbank Running Club development athletes took part in the Track and field meeting held in Germiston Stadium on Saturday 20 February. It was great to see athletes from both Nedbank Developments Running Clubs Soweto and Klerksdorp teaming up to turn the 5000m race into Green.

Nedbank colours were worn in the field items as well by our long jump and shot put athletes to show we are growing in all aspects of Athletics in general.

Nedbank Running Club George with new attendance record of 129 at their Valentines Time Trial

Farewell, not goodbye

Saturday 13 February will be remembered as a day of sorrow and loss for the running community of South Africa, as one of the country's great ultra-distance legends started a new journey.

A huge heart carried by a small body, and a fighter with steel in her veins, yet a person possessing the gentlest of souls. That is how multiple Comrades Marathon and Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon gold medallist Riana van Niekerk will be remembered.
Riana lost a nine-month battle to pancreatic cancer on February 13 at 4pm.
In an athletic career that spanned more than 20 years, she progressed from shorter distances to the marathon, and ultimately faced ultra-distance challenges.
Her remarkable career saw Riana win a total of 13 ultra-marathons, with six of those earned at the Old Mutual Om die Dam in Hartbeespoort. She also won the Jackie Meckler and Loskop ultras three times each.
Add to that a national marathon title in 2009, the four golds she bagged at the Comrades Marathon and three more she earned at Two Oceans, and her incredible talent and work ethic is clearly evident.

Riana's last major victory was achieved at one of her favourite races last year, the Om die Dam Marathon, where she decimated a quality field to cross the line in 3:30:07.
On May 3, 2015 Riana took part in the Wings for Life Challenge in which runners race against car - an event that is held globally on the same day.
Riana finished second in the world on that day, covering 55km before she was eventually hauled in by the tracker car.

Riana had hopes of winning yet another gold medal at the 2015 Comrades Marathon at the end of May, but she was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer in the build-up to the race, and she entered a whole new challenge.
This meant no Comrades for 2015 and in a fitting tribute the entire Nedbank team ran the race wearing pink ribbons and the words on everyone's lips were: "we are running for Riana". Fittingly, it was a Nedbank athlete who claimed the title, as well as the runner-up position.
Those who follow the world of road running in South Africa will know how gutsy Riana was, and her resilience and fighting spirit were to be tested like never before.
Chemotherapy saw her bounce back and there was tremendous hope in the running community that she would once again be seen on the roads, but sadly she suffered a relapse and had to be admitted for more chemotherapy before she eventually had to embrace a new journey.
Throughout her fight with cancer, Riana remained positive and ever-smiling. During her final battle, she touched the lives of elite athletes, race organisers, media representatives and ordinary runners each facing their own challenges. A glance at her Facebook page shows how incredibly inspiring Riana was.
At races she would always have time for those who wanted to say hello, and when the news spread of her passing, messages of condolences poured in from people whom she had touched, all expressing their grief and heartfelt sorrow for her husband Allie.

Allie and Riana were inseparable. At races when Riana crossed the finish line, Allie was there with a towel and whatever else she may have required. He could be seen with his camera, happily taking pics which would be uploaded with alacrity onto social media platforms. The pride and love was clearly written all over his face and the bond between Allie and Riana was something to behold.

The number of people Riana touched is truly awe inspiring. Two of her fiercest rivals, Russian twins Elena and Olesya Nurgalieva, struggled to contain their emotion upon learning the news.
"The beginning of 2015 was so successful for her, she ran several races very fast and she demonstrated the most phenomenal running at the Wings for Life race, where she was one of the fastest women in the world," the siblings said in a joint statement.
"We were so sure she would take part in Comrades with a good result there, but that news was like thunder from the blue sky!
"After Comrades we followed her treatment on Facebook, where her husband continued to keep everyone updated. We were glad and happy when we heard the encouraging results, and we were sure Riana was strong and could beat her illness.
"Despite being rivals, in the simple life we were friends, and she didn't shy away from ask some questions or advice. Several years ago we even wrote a marathon preparation plan for her and she was very appreciative of us.
"Her husband Allie is also a very good person. It was clear how much they loved each other and how proud Allie was of his wife."
Former Comrades Marathon gold medallist Lindsay van Aswegen also had interactions with Riana that left an indelible impression.
“I will never forget the first day I really had the privilege to meet and interact with Riana," Van Aswegen said.
"It was at the 2005 Comrades prize giving, where Riana arrived with purple and blue bleeding toes. No matter how her feet looked or how much she struggled to walk, she remained the beautiful, competitive, yet humble sportswoman we all knew.
"I remember looking at her and thinking how young and tiny and fragile she looked but wow, could she run.
"I watched Riana perform over the years and at all times she displayed the true meaning of sportsmanship. In the later years, as we interacted on a more regular basis, Riana continued to display her fighting spirit and her true love of running.
"While undergoing chemotherapy, her positive attitude was indicative of the talented runner we all loved.
"I must add that, throughout the last 10 years her loving husband Allie was always there to support and encourage and care for her in the most remarkable way.
"Riana, may your presence always be felt and may your spirit live on throughout the running community. God has called you home. May you continue your 'race' in life with the angels above."
Caroline Wostmann, who crossed the finish line first at the 2015 Comrades Marathon, was in awe of this tiny yet incredibly strong athlete.
"Riana's strength and determination always stood out and her passion for running and life is inspirational. I have always looked up to her as a role model and her kind heart and encouragement made her an icon in the running community," Wostmann said.

Nedbank Running Club manager and former Comrades winner Nick Bester believed her passing would have a major impact on other club members.
"We are deeply saddened by this loss. Riana was such an inspiration to our members and always had time and good words for her team members and the road running community at large," Bester said.
"Our deepest and heartfelt condolences go out to her husband Allie who was her best friend and constant companion."
For long-time friend and team mate Charne Bosman, the news was devastating.
After her win at the Pick 'n Pay half-marathon the day after Riana died, Bosman was emotional.
"It's been a very emotional three days in my life. The last time I saw her was on Friday and I knew in my heart that it was over for her," Bosman said.
Her reaction came as no surprise, as the two had been friends from the age of 15.
"I have known Riana since our school days when we were 15. That's 25 years. We both stayed in Centurion and would often see each other on training runs and would often end up running together.
"As an athlete she was immensely professional and if in shape she was incredibly difficult to beat. She would never give in and that attitude also came through in her life – dedication and sacrifice for what she believed in.
"Riana and Allie were inseparable and did everything together. Seeing them together was truly inspirational. They were best friends, husband and wife, who adored each other.
"Riana would always take interest in any person and would often ask about my mother and my brother and would always tell me to send them her best wishes. Very few people have an interest in the family of others, but Riana genuinely cared and wanted to know. Her passing leaves a huge gap in the running community and in my heart. I will never forget her."
While the running community is deeply saddened by her passing, one thing is certain. Riana van Niekerk is still blazing a trail for the rest of us to follow.

REST IN PEACE RIANA VAN NIEKERK

Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon mourn the death of Chet Sainsbury

Chet Sainsbury, former race director of the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon (OMTOM), died earlier today after a long cancer battle. He was 73 years old.

Mr Sainsbury was widely regarded as one of the most influential administrators in South African running. In addition to serving as the OMTOM race director for almost 30 years as well as a director on the board of the Two Oceans Marathon NPC, he also held numerous positions within the road running community, including serving on the SA Road Running Commission, Vice-chair of Western Province Athletics and Chair of Western Province Road Running and Celtic Harriers Club.

When he retired as OMTOM race director, Mr Sainsbury took over the reins as race director of the Landmarks Half Marathon. Shortly afterwards, his immeasurable contribution to the running community earned him the Civic Honours by the Protea Sub-Council of the City of Cape Town, in recognition of his work to promote the area through these two events.

Mr Sainsbury enjoyed legendary status in the running community - despite a late start at the age of 35 - and he often joked about being greeted like a friend by complete strangers while on training runs or races.

He earned an incredible 32 medals at the Two Oceans Marathon (31 for the Ultra Marathon), with a personal best of 3:58.01. In addition to over 100 marathons, he also ran a number of other ultra events, including the Comrades Marathon (earning 14 medals) and the Puffer.

He also received special recognition while participating in the Two Oceans Marathon: The Honourable Order of Hout Bay Artillerymen would fire a canon from the Chapman's Peak East Fort to mark the leading man and woman passing by on Race Day. But between 1981 and 2008 - the year he retired as race director - a third canon shot was fired, when Mr Sainsbury came past.

“I used to tell the guys around me to expect a big bang, and this happened for a number of years until I retired as race director, when I asked them to stop firing the canon for me,” he once explained in an interview.

Together with his wife, Annemarie, they were a collective force in the running world. She had been the secretary for Celtic Harriers at the time he became the OMTOM race director, and she finally retired as race secretary 21 years later!

The Sainsbury medal, a coveted OMTOM medal for achieving an Ultra time of between four and five hours, was introduced in honour of the couple in 2006. Ironically, Mr Sainsbury could never earn the medal named after him, and missed it by four minutes that same year.

A talented loose forward in his younger years, Mr Sainsbury served as the chairperson of the Villager Rugby Club. He also worked at Old Mutual for over 40 years before retiring in 2003, when he was the company's national sponsorship manager.

As an enthusiastic cyclist, he participated in 24 Cape Town Cycle Tours between 1980 and 2014. And in 2011 Mr Sainsbury became the only runner/cyclist to have completed 30 OMTOM Ultras and 21 Cape Town Cycle Tours.

Chet Sainsbury - also known as Mr Two Oceans - was a visionary. He introduced the kind of innovations and changes - some controversial - required to boost the stature of the Two Oceans Marathon from local run to global icon.

He will be dearly missed.

Issued by:  Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon Media Office