Dear Nedbank Running Clubs and Members

Hope you all are well and safe in the current COVID-19 pandemic. Please note as per ASA Circular 48 of 2020 Protocol to follow during Training and Condition, we can now open our Clubs for Time Trials. 

CIRCULAR_48_OF_2020_

PROTOCOL_TO_FOLLOW_DURING_TRAINING_AND_COMPETITIONS

A sign need to be visible with the following on (this can be laminated or placed in a plastic sleeve at the testing table)

Please be reminded that Time Trials can only take place under strict COVID 19 Conditions highlighted below:

• Masks/buffs need to be worn at all times – NO MASK/BUFF NO ENTRY
• Sanitizing and screening must be done at all times
• Social distancing to be adhered too (no hugging or shaking hands)

Items needed to start Time Trials:

• Sanitizer as prescribed by Government
• Hand Held Thermometer (sanitize after every screening)
• Pens that need to sanitized after each use

Club gatherings ie Monthly gatherings can only take place at the venue you utilize at 50% capacity of venue and with all the listed protocols noted above.  

Please note that there are guidelines for food and drinks consumption and available, this also has to be adhered to unless you already have a Clubhouse/Venue that is adhering to those regulations.

All the information need to be kept on file either electronically or in a dedicated file to be made available to Authorities if someone is tested positive in the group at any time for tracking and tracing.

See the following link to a sample of the form that can be printed and needs to be filled out by each Club Member that attends Time Trials.  A dedicated person should be available to assist in the filling in of the information before hand and taking of each person’s temperature and the file needs to be kept in a safe place and accessible to Authorities of needed.

We need to all assist in taking responsibility to assist in all these measures to keep our Club Members safe.

Stay Safe

Nedbank Runified challenge a huge success

With the Corona virus taking the world by storm, events have either been cancelled, postponed to the following year or held virtually. The Nedbank running club in partnership with Strava, hosted the #NedbankRunified series, over 4 virtual races of varying distances from 5km to a half marathon.

With the series coming to an end this past weekend, the 4 events consisted of a 5km (July), 8km (August), 10km (September) and a half marathon challenge in October. It was the first time ever that Strava had partnered up with an event in Africa. Nedbank running club owned virtual running in South Africa with the #NedbankRunified series.

There were some exciting stats that came out of the 10km #NedbankRunified event.
In total, over 54 000 runners signed up to run the #NedbankRunified series with over 36 000 finishers completing both the 10km run. With 16 000 members of the Nedbank running club on Strava, the stat officially made the club the biggest virtual running club in Africa.

Not only were the above-mentioned stats so impressive, but South Africa as a country was the highest participating country in the world for the second month running. In total, over 150 countries took part in the series, with 125 442 total activities logged.

Besides South Africa that led the way with runners, the USA was 2nd in the rankings 6825 runners taking part, followed closely by the United Kingdom with 6416 runners. In Africa, behind South Africa were Namibia with 217 athletes followed by Zimbabwe and Mozambique.

Participants who took part stood chances of winning Nedbank Greenbacks as well as prizes from our valuable sponsors, Future Life, Bavaria, Nike and Biogen. “We must really give thanks to our sponsors who came on board to support this great initiative and motivate the runners during this never before experienced pandemic,” said Nick Bester, National team manager of the Nedbank running club.

“The support of our valuable sponsors of the team goes a long way and the athletes are really appreciative of the fact that they are being supported in these trying times.”

Besides the #NedbankRunified series, there were also virtual races that took place between the elite green dream team members of the Nedbank running club. From 10km up to the marathon distance, athletes battled it out from their hometowns against other teammates across the continent with cash prizes for the quickest 10 in each the male and female categories.

“It was important for us to give the athletes something to work towards and also stay motivated,” said Bester. Not only did it keep the athletes motivated, but when real racing started back up, the Nedbank running club dominated the men’s race of the recent Cape Town Marathon with Comrades champion Edward Mothibi smashing his personal best time and taking overall victory.

With the World still coming to grips with the pandemic, the #NedbankRunified series came to the rescue of many goal driven individuals. Watch this space for more exciting initiatives coming in the future!

Obituary - Thomas Michael Winn #GreenNumber138
(17.9.1930 – 24.10.2020)

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is saddened by news of the death of Founding Chairperson, Green Number runner and retired pharmacist Mick Winn. He was 90 years old.

Mick has been associated with the Comrades Marathon for well over 50 years. He completed 12 Comrades Marathons between 1964 and 1975 with a Best Time of 6:34, a slowest time of 10:52 and holds Green Number 138. He is a Life Member of Collegians Harriers and was the founding Chairman of the Comrades Marathon Association in 1981.  

Mick served on the CMA organising/ executive committee for 15 years commencing in 1971 and for 12 years as Chairperson from 1974 – 1986, during which time the race grew from just under 1000 to just over 10,000 participants.  

Under his leadership, the Comrades Marathon became the first major sporting event in South Africa to open to men and women of all races.  He was associated with and/or personally responsible for many of the innovations which characterize the race as it is known today, including the abolition of personal seconding and introduction of refreshment stations, the theme song Chariots of Fire, introduction of commercial sponsorship and live television coverage, the introduction of the Comrades Expo concept, the firing of a gun to signify the end of the race and the decision to purchase Comrades Marathon House and initiate the Comrades Marathon Museum. Continue reading

HEALTH TIP:
Mold and Glutathione
Glutathione :

- A tripeptide of cysteine, glutamine and glycine
- Protects from reactive oxygen species
- Protects from reactive nitrogen species
- Cofactor for many antioxidant enzymes such as peroxidases and transferases
- Storage form of cysteine
- Storage form and transporter of nitric oxide
- Metabolizes estrogens, leukotrienes, and prostaglandins
- Involved in regulation of some transcription factors
- Detoxifies many endogenous substances and  xenobiotics, mycotoxins and other toxins