AfricanX attracts the attention of twelve elite athletes from the Nedbank Running Club!

“Let Nature Give You A Run For Your Money”

Twelve elite athletes from the Nedbank Running Club will put their off-road prowess to the test when they take on South Africa’s premier three-day stage trail run, the AfricanX Trailrun, at the Houw Hoek Hotel (Bot River, Overberg Region / Western Cape) the weekend of 26 – 28 March 2021.

Combined the twelve athletes boast a long list of impressive achievements including:  6th in the 1500m at the 2008 Olympics, 1st at Om die Dam 50km in 2020, 1st at Om die Dam Ultra in 2017, 1st at Comrades Marathon in 2012, 7 consecutive gold medallist at Comrades Marathon, ASA u/23 800m Champion, u/23 X-Country Champion, numerous top finishers at Two Oceans, 1st at the Oxpecker Trail Run 32km 2-Day Stage Race in 2018, 1st at the Mauritius 2-Day Stage Race in 2019, 1st at the Sky Run 65km in 2020 (and record holder) to mention just a few.

“Currently it’s not clear when road races will start again in South Africa,” says Nick Bester, National Manager Nedbank Running Club.  “It’s nearly been a year since SA went into lockdown.  Our athletes are hungry to race.  There have been virtual races, which have been great, but nothing beats the thrill of an actual race.  We are excited to enter six strong teams (twelve runners) into the AfricanX Trailrun.  Although they predominantly focus on road races, some of our runners do enter the occasional trail race.  They are all, however, fit, strong, fast and extremely competitive.  We guarantee that they will give the trail runners a run for their money.”

Team 1:  Eric Ngubane (KwaXimba, Cato Ridge, KZN) and Juan van Deventer (Johannesburg)

Both a road and trail runner, Eric Ngubane is no stranger to the AfricanX Trailrun having placed 2nd in the Open Men’s Team Category in 2015 when he teamed up with trail runner Thabang Madiba.  Ngubane and Madiba completed the three stages in an impressive-combined time of 06 hours 51 minutes 11 seconds.  “I’ve done a few stage races.  You have to take every stage as it comes and stay as close to the leaders as possible.  We will work hard from the first kilometre to the last minute of the race.”

“My main focus for 2021 would have been to compete on the ultra-running scene focusing on the Comrades Marathon,” confirms Van Deventer.  “I love to compete and race, and with most of the road races not taking place I think AfricanX is a great opportunity to try something new.”

Team 2:  Ludwick Mamabolo (Polokwane) and Collin Kanyimo (Bashewa, Pretoria East)

A Comrades Marathon winner (2012) and 7 consecutive gold medallist, Modibe Ludwick Mamabolo entered AfricanX to test his abilities as an athlete.  “It’s a three-day stage race, it’s going to be painful, but I am excited by the new challenge.    
Our team strength will be our ability to persevere.”

“Where I live, we only have countryside roads so most of my training is on gravel with occasional single trail river sections,” says Kanyimo.  “I entered AfricanX because it is my dream to see more of this country and compete in these beautiful races. Nedbank Running has made it possible for me to get closer to my dream.  A three-day stage race does not scare me.  I was born for this.”

Team 3:  Raoul Mabirimisa (Pretoria - Replaces Phillimon Mathiba) and Malusi Dlomo (Pretoria)

“Our goal is to sustain no injuries during the race, keep up team moral and ultimately do the best that we can.” says Mabirimisa

“Trail running is part of my training regime,” says Dlomo.  “A lot of my weekend long runs are done on the trails.  I expect AfricanX to be challenging especially on the last day because we will be running on tired legs.   I think my team will be the strongest though because my teammate has a lot of speed and I have trail experience.  I’m looking forward to doing my best and making my club and sponsors proud.”

Team 4:  Siyabonga Sakwe (Cape Town) and Lindikhaya Mthangayi (Khayelitsha)

“AfricanX is going to be challenging, but we are preparing for it,” says Sakwe.  “I am really looking forward to experiencing the trails.  We are both fast and strong on the climbs and I believe that we can do well.  I am really looking forward to experiencing the competition with the best teams.”   

“My goal is always to do well in every race that I run,” says Mthangayi.  “Trail running is included in my training schedule.  I want to hold the Nedbank Running Club’s name high and can’t wait to see how strong I am in this event.  Running for three days just requires proper training, focus and showing hunger for doing well.”

Team 5:  Etienne Plaatjies (Oudtshoorn) and Lloyd Bosman (George)

“Trail running does not form part of my training, but I have competed in a few events,” confirms Plaatjies.  “AfricanX is one of the best stage races in the country.  It will be tough and challenging.  I am really looking forward to the aspect of participating as a team.  Our goal will be to do our best and be on the podium.”

“I entered AfricanX because I love running in nature and trail running brings the best out of a person,” says Bosman.  “A three-day stage race is going to be tough, but we will bring it on.  We have speed and endurance.  It will be a good challenge for us.  I’m looking forward to experiencing the route.  I think it will be challenging but not boring.”

Team 6:  Deanné Horn (Lichtenburg, North West) and Chrizell Roberts (Standerton, Mpumalanga)

Deanne Horn was part of the SA 100km team who took the silver team medal at the World Championships in Croatia (2018), she placed 12th at Comrades (2019) and claimed gold in the 65km Skyrun (2020), finishing 4th overall.  “Running is the one activity that's physically exhausting but mentally and emotionally recharging,” says Horn.  “Every run represents a new challenge, a new opportunity to push myself, and a new time to reflect on everything else going on.  I love to run in the mountains and the Nedbank Running Club has made this possible for me.  Our goal is to stand on the podium and make Nedbank proud.”  

“I live on a farm with loads of pathways and uneven surfaces, so there is definitely an element of trail running in my training,” confirms Roberts.  “Currently the option of competitive racing is few and far between, so when this opportunity arose, I did not think twice. AfricanX sounds brutal, challenging and like it could be a whole lot of fun.  My toughest challenge will be having to slow down a notch, as road racing is all about speed and I love running fast. Trail running is about so much more than just speed.  I am looking forward to standing on that start line with butterflies in my stomach.”

2021 Event Information:  AfricanX Trailrun

Teams of two trail running enthusiasts (male/female/mixed) will be seen battling it out on a route varying in distances each day.  Each stage will feature a different route that is guaranteed to keep things exciting while leaving runners in awe.

Date:    Friday 26 March 2021 – Sunday 28 March 2021
Format:    Three-day stage race / teams of two (male/female/mixed)
Festival Village:      On the grounds of the Houw Hoek Hotel (Bot River, Overberg Region / Western Cape)
Distance: 

Day 1:  +- 24km
Day 2:  +- 32km
Day 3:  +- 18km

Iconic to the AfricanX Trailrun, ALL entrants will receive a sought after AfricanX hoodie and an exclusive finisher’s t-shirt, amongst other exciting sponsor gifts!  

CHARITY SUPPORT:  The AfricanX Trailrun proudly supports The Timothy James Harlow Foundation (TJHF), a non-profit organisation that searches for opportunities to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities.  Runners can support the TJHF by making a donation when entering the AfricanX Trailrun online.  
This year AfricanX entrants have the opportunity to get more involved by suggesting a candidate and/or cause that they’d like the TJHF to support.  Suggestions can be sent to entries@stillwatersports.com

PLEASE NOTE:  The event organisers will at all times adhere to Government Regulations regarding COVID-19.

Follow us on Face Book:  @stillwatertrail
Follow us on Instagram:  @runtheafricanx / @stillwater_trail_running
Follow us on Twitter:      @runtheafricanx / @StillwaterTrail
Hashtag:  #runtheafricanx #myafricanx #trailrunning

For additional information on the AfricanX Trailrun please visit www.stillwatersports.com, contact Stillwater Sports on 082 991 0045 or email entries@stillwatersports.com. 

Nedbank Running Club continues to impress

With no running action taking place for many months due to the Covid19 pandemic, when Athletics South Africa made an announcement of return to competition 3 weeks ago, athletes around the Country rejoiced, in particular, Nedbank running club athletes who each week have continued to impress and full podiums.

Competing for the 3rd weekend in a row down in Durban, Mzwenkosi Mjaja & Bonginkosi Mavuso continued their own personal ding dong battle over 5000m. Mavuso got the better of Mjaja this time as the youngster finished 9th in 14:55 with Mjaja 10th in 15:02, a notable performance by the man more suited to ultra-marathons.

Although the Nedbank running club is a known force in distance events on the track all the way to prestigious ultra-marathons such as the Comrades Marathon, sprinters are also starting to excel in the team. In Sasolburg, sprint sensations Marione Fourie continued her fine form winning both the 100m and 100m hurdles in 12.24 and 13.78 respectively. Youngster Tristan Dean took part in the senior men’s 200m, and finished 4th overall in a quick 21.48. These are two sprinters to keep an eye on.

In the women's 5000m in Port Elizabeth, Ntombesintu Mfunzi finished second in 18:04, with Kelly van Vliet third in 18:09

In Potchefstroom, the ACNW provincial championships took place. Nedbank running club development coach Pio Mpolokeng was there with his squad and walked away with some podium placings. In the men’s 5000m, Nedbank running club athlete Joel Mmone took 2nd with training partner and junior athlete Donald Kgokong 5th.

Mmone was back in action for the men’s 1500m and finished 3rd with Petrus Mosumi 5th. Kgokong also showed up for the junior men’s 1500m and claimed a podium spot with his 3rd place finish. In the boy’s U18 1500m, Dino Nako finished 2nd to take the silver medal.

Staying on track, last night Endurocad hosted their 3rd invitational elite only events at the Coetzenberg Stadium in Stellenbosch. In the men’s 1 mile, Nedbank running club’s Duran Faro finished 3rd in a time of 4:15.45. In the women’s event, Kobie Griffiths continued her fine showing to take 2nd in 4:55.82.

The men’s and women’s 5000m events were the highlight of the evening with quick times that were expected, and it did not disappoint. In the women’s race, after the pacemaker dropped out before 2km, Irvette Van Zyl and teammate Stella Marais were the front runners of a group of 5 and continued to drive the pace. Maris held on for a season best of 16:18 to take 3rd with Van Zyl 4th in 16:28. For Van Zyl the event was a good indication that marathon training is going well as she competes in Hamburg on 11 April.

In the men’s 5000m, a fast target pace of 13:40 was set from the start. Nedbank running club’s Anthony Timoteus slotted into the 2nd bunch as a group of 6 athletes upfront went out hard. Towards the end, Timoteus came through the field to finish 5th in 14:00, just missing out on a sub 14:00 clocking.

With road running events still not back on the calendar, if athletes were not heading to the track, they were heading to the trails and this past weekend was no different. In Stellenbosch, there were 2 podium spots for Nedbank running club athletes at the Dirtopia 12km trail run. Lindikhaya Mthangayi took victory with teammate Siyabonga Sakwe who was a winner from last week in 3rd.

At the Hakuna Matata 10km trail run, there was a double victory for Nedbank running club athletes. In the men’s race Francois Maqaussa took the win. In the ladies race it was youngster Tonya Schoeman who took victory in the shorter 5km.

Nedbank Running Clubs Ngubane dominates in style

a Dominant victory on the trails was seen by Nedbank running club green dream team athlete Eric Ngubane.

In warm conditions, Ngubane stormed to victory in the 40km Drakensberg Northern Trail run. Over tough and technical terrain, it was not a question of if Ngubane would win, but by how far he would, as he took a commanding lead from the start.

Covering the 40km in 4:35:16, Ngubane took the win ahead of David Ashworth who finished 2nd in 5:05:13 with Bruce Arnott taking 3rd in 5:05:33. “I am so very happy to take the win today on this very tough course,” said an elated Ngubane after the race. “Because there have been no races taking part, I was improving my speed by taking part in the track leagues so when I was running today, it felt so easy.”

Staying on the trails, but this time up in Pretoria, there was Nedbank running club clean sweep of the podium at the Voortrekker trail run. Nedbank running club’s Collin Kanyimo was runaway victor covering the course in 1:06:19, a fast time for the 17km. In second, teammate Malusi Dlomo took the silver with Juan Van Deventer taking 3rd and rounding out the podium. Together with Ngubane, all 3 athletes are preparing for the upcoming African X trail run over 3 days.

On the track, there were some more personal bests for Nedbank running club athletes down in Durban on Friday evening. Mzwenkosi Mjaja finished 6th in 30:04 with teammate Bonginkosi Mavuso just behind. The duo was back in action the following day in the 5000m, with Mavuso finishing 2nd in 14:38 and Mjaja 4th in 14:45. In the ladies 10 000m on Friday evening, Nedbank running club’s Chrizell Roberts made the trek from the Highveld down to Durban and finished 2nd.

Although races are back in action, virtual races still are dominating the racing season around the World. The Nedbank running lady’s duo of Rolandi Schutte and young Tonya Schoeman dominated the Outdoor Enthusiast Virtual Race series with Schutte running 1:14:24 and Schoeman running 01:19:05.

Tonight, Nedbank running club green dream team member Irvette Van Zyl will be the star athlete running in the Endurocad invitational 3000m in Stellenbosch. Joining her in the race will be teammates Madele Du Plessis and Laila Abouzaid. In the women’s 800m, Kobie Griffiths will be looking at going one better after her 2nd place finish over two laps the week before. The men’s 1500m will also be a race to watch. In the A race, Nedbank running club’s Duran Faro leads the charge and will be joined by teammates Renier De Villiers, Jason Bowers, Andre Afrika and Star Shayamano. 

#MogaladiFoundation presents the #SoliceMakgetlaneng ‘No to Gender Based violence Awareness Campaign’. Solice will be running the 194km from Pretoria on the 31st March to Mogaladi where he will finish on the 2nd April

Special Biogen online promotion to all Nedbank Running Club Members

Live a better, healthier life with FutureLife Smart Food