Van Zyl and Roberts head to Gqeberha for the Marathon.

The life of an athlete always has its ups and downs. From victories and accolades to injuries and dnf’s. If that’s not enough, the COVID19 pandemic is another obstacle and one currently placing another hurdle for Nedbank running club athletes Irvette Van Zyl and Chrizell Roberts.

With the more recent announcement of a new version of the Covid strain which South African scientists identified, the world went into panic mode and shut down South Africa from the rest of the world. This meant that getting to Valencia for the Valencia Marathon became impossibly difficult for Van Zyl and Roberts.The duo will be running in the PE City Marathon on Saturday 4 December 2021.

“We went through many different avenues for something to be done to get Irvette and Chrizell to Valencia but unfortunately with South Africa banned from travel it was not possible,” said Nedbank running club National team manager Nick Bester, who also coaches the pair. “Fortunately, the PE Marathon on Sunday is a flat and fast course, and they will both race for time.”

Van Zyl was in the best shape of her life this year, running a new PB of 2:28:40 in Sienna, Italy, earlier this year, before an injury derailed her Olympic Marathon aspirations midway through the race. “Coming from the injury has been difficult but the training is the same that I did for Sienna and my training times now have actually been a little bit better,” said Van Zyl from her home in Pretoria.

It was a bittersweet disappointment for Van Zyl to not be able to get to Valencia “I have wanted to run Valencia since 2018 but couldn’t get in and now that I have finally been accepted, for the travel ban to now be in place is devastating.”

Van Zyl will still tackle Sunday’s Marathon for a fast time. “My goal for the race will be to better by 2:28 from Italy. Anything better than that will put a huge smile on my face.”

Teammate Roberts equally shares her excitement ahead of the marathon. “I am not a position contender so for me it will just be about time and I would love to run under 2:50,” says Roberts. “The training has gone well for the race as I didn’t really follow anything specific for the Cape Town Marathon and I think it showed with my result, so this time Nick has given me structure and the body has responded very well to what we have thrown at it.”

One hopes that Van Zyl and Roberts can pull off fast times in the friendly city and do what they do best. And that is to run. Normality finally seemed back on track with big races taking place again and the announcement of the Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km returning in March 2022.

“It’s so exciting to see races like the Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km being announced for next year because we all need some normal back in our lives and the athletes are hungry to show what they are capable of,” said Roberts. This was evident at this year’s first edition of the Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km where both the men’s and women’s 50km World records were broken. Van Zyl broke the women’s only World record with Nedbank RC teammate Ketema Negesa breaking the men’s World record.

Hollard sport industry awards honour the Best in Sporting business

Hollard sport industry awards honour the most innovative and creative within the business of sport and Nick B Sport who was the founder and brainchild of the Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km World Record attempt race feutured in several nominations.

Two campaigns featured prominently within numerous categories this year. These included Mscsports for Castle Lager #InOurBlood and the Nedbank Breaking Barriers Race.

#InOurBlood took home the much sought-after Campaign of the Year Award, sponsored by Ab InBev, as well as the Worldwide Sport Event or Competition Sponsorship Award, and came third in the category of Social and Environmental Impact.

Winning agency Mscsports used their collective passion for rugby and Castle’s sponsorship of the British & Irish Lions Series as a unique opportunity to build a campaign for South Africans to come together and unite behind the Springboks. Taking this campaign one step further was its partnership with the SANBS, to drive desperately needed blood donations

Last year’s Agency of the Year, Levergy, continued their winning streak with the Nedbank Breaking Barriers Race that is the brainchild of Nick Bester from Nick B Sport and who also was the race director for this race, winning both the Communications Award and the Virtual Event of the Year Award. This campaign created a way to ignite momentum into elite running when little else was happening. Backed by Nedbank’s longstanding heritage in the sport, Breaking Barriers saw an attempt made to break the 50 km world record with an exclusive ultramarathon take place in Gqeberha, creating a high, when running in South Africa was at an all-time low.

#NedbankRunified October 10km winners

Congratulations to our #NedbankRunified hamper winners for October!

The prizes are on their way.

#Biogen #FutureLife #Nike #Bavaria #ThirstiWater

Click here to download the 2022 ASA PERMANENT LICENCE APPLICATION FORM

Bavaria Launches Two New 0.0% Alcohol Beers to Market

Swinkels Family Brewers, Dutch owners of the Bavaria Beer Brand are launching two new products,  Bavaria 0.0% Beer and Bavaria 0.0% IPA, to South African shores in December 2021.

‘The best we’ve ever brewed’ campaign

The independent family brewer, situated in a small Dutch village, has been leading the way in innovation in the beer category with a history of beer brewing and seven generations of experience. ‘The best we’ve ever brewed campaign’ brings with it refreshed packaging and two new non-alcoholic products bound to leave an impression leading up to the festive season.

For those seeking an uncompromised yet distinct beer taste, the Bavaria 0.0% Beer is a non-alcoholic pilsner boasting a crisp finish. This beer beautifully balances bitter and fruity tones, with a pleasant aftertaste. Because the alcohol is extracted at a very low temperature, it maintains a refreshing, slightly hoppy taste, delivering a real ‘beer’ experience. After months of research and consumer testing, the new Bavaria 0.0% Beer has been rated as tasting the closest in market to an alcoholic beer.

The Bavaria 0.0% IPA has four specific aromatic hop varieties sourced from the USA & Australia to give it an inviting hop aroma where tropical fruits and citrus blend together seamlessly. It’s entirely unique as there’s absolutely no alcohol formed during the entire process ensuring this drink is 100% Halal and Kosher Certified, an authentic beer taste for beer lovers.

As a company, Swinkels is well-positioned to innovate on different styles of non-alcoholic beer, what with the global non-alcoholic beverage market expected to grow from $378.38 billion in 2020 to $410 billion in 2021. The new products will be available at major outlets, the Bavaria 0.0 Beer RSP is R84,99  & the IPA RSP is R94,99. Both the 0.0% Beer and IPA have won many awards, including awards in the Dutch Beer Awards this year: https://www.dutchbeerchallenge.nl

‘What makes the Bavaria brewery process extraordinary is our own natural spring water sourced on the Royal Swinkels Family Brewers property in The Netherlands that is used in brewing the beer, as well as our own sophisticated malting facility onsite. We’re thrilled by these two new products that will spearhead our range of 0.0% beers with innovation set for the future. Linked to our brewing expertise, we want to be seen as innovators in the non-alcoholic beer category. We look forward to seeing these quality products soar in the South African Beer Category, and South Africa enjoying non-alcoholic beverages responsibly in the well-deserved holidays and festive events,’ concludes Oliver Wills, Marketing Lead for Africa, Swinkels.

Biogen #BeYourBest

The FUTURELIFE Ultimate Sarmie Master

Not yet entered the Futurelife Sarmie Master competition? Well now is your chance with just 3 days left before Futurelife select their #UltimateSarmieMaster for 2021. Whats up for grabs? A cool R15,000 cash prize, just in time for the holidays!

How do you enter?

1. Purchase any loaf of Futurelife High Protein Bread
2. Create your Ultimate Sarmie
3. Share a pic of your Ultimate Sarmie on Facebook or Instagram tagging @futurelifeza

It’s really that simple!

Entries close 5pm on Sunday 5th December 2021.

2021 Nedbank Running Club Skosana Road Race Cancelled and new Date announced for 2022 – See Details below

New 2022 Date

Comrades Marathon Appoints New Chairperson

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) has a new Chairperson. Mqondisi Ngcobo has been appointed as the Association’s new Chair while Les Burnard will serve as the Vice Chairperson.  

The world’s biggest, oldest and most famous ultramarathon held its Annual General Meeting in Pietermaritzburg last night (Wednesday, 24 November 2021), briefed its members on the operational and financial facets of the race; and in compliance with the CMA Constitution, elected one new member to the CMA Board, namely Vukani Dlamini.

Three members were also re-elected, namely:
•    Pat Freeman
•    Isaac Ngwenya
•    Zinhle Sokhela

The complete CMA Board is as follows:

•    Mqondisi Ngcobo, Chairperson
•    Les Burnard, Vice Chairperson
•    Vukani Dlamini
•    Patricia Freeman
•    Celi Makhoba
•    Steve Mkasi
•    Isaac Ngwenya
•    Phumlani Ntuli
•    Zinhle Sokhela

In accordance with its Constitution two further Board members may be co-opted at the discretion of the Board at their next sitting.

CMA Chairperson Cheryl Winn, who served as Chairperson of the Association for the past four years, gave a heartfelt address, highlighting the challenges faced by the Association over the past two years, including the cancellation of both the 2020 and 2021 Comrades Marathons; and thanked the Board, Staff, Race Organising Committee as well as their spouses for their support and passion for the Comrades Marathon.

She also thanked all CMA members and past chairpersons with whom she had worked closely and from whom she had learned so much.

With the CMA being founded as an Association, the main function of the Board is corporate governance, the formulation of the strategic policies of the organisation and ensuring the sustainability of The Ultimate Human Race. Importantly, the Board is further tasked with retaining the world-class standards, ethos and traditions that are synonymous with this iconic event.

NOTE: The official media launch of the 2022 Comrades Marathon will be held on 1 February 2022. More details will be revealed closer to the time.

TWO OCEANS MARATHON 2022 CONFIRMED FOR EASTER WEEKEND, 16 AND 17 APRIL 2022

The Western Cape’s most pre-eminent road race, the globally iconic Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, is set to take place on 16 and 17 April 2022. This comes after a two-year hiatus necessitated by the COVID-19 pandemic and the attendant restrictions under the Disaster Management Act.

With a date for entries opening set to be announced soon, the TOM NPC is delighted to welcome back participants from over 25 African countries and an average of 89 other countries globally. The 56km Two Oceans Ultra Marathon, which takes runners along the spectacular panoramic vista that is Chapman’s Peak, is a jewel event in the Western Cape. It generates up to R672 million towards the local economy annually.

"We are thrilled to be back on the road after more than 20 months. This has only been made possible by the ongoing support of our partners, Athletics South Africa, the Western Cape Government, the City of Cape Town and the broader running community," says TOM NPC Chairperson William Swartbooi.
TOM Race Director Debra Barnes adds, "The pandemic has affected all aspects of our lives and limited our participation in this much-loved sport. Navigating the challenges brought about by the pandemic has forced us to look at things differently and respond in an acutely agile manner as we go along. We want to celebrate the strength of spirit of our runners, many of whom will have overcome some of life’s greatest challenges to be at the start line in April 2022."

Following extensive engagements with the local authorities and input from our celebrated Blue Number Club members, the veterans of the Race, the TOM organising committee will implement the following event changes. These decisions have been driven by health and runner safety concerns, as well as accessibility issues for the public who use the roads over the Easter weekend.

EXTENDED EVENT PERIOD
For the first time, the event will be split over two days over the Easter Weekend. This was the only option in order not to curtail the number of runners that would potentially be allowed to participate, given the event safety guidelines.
Consequently:
•    The Two Oceans Half Marathon will take place on Saturday, 16 April 2022.
•    The Two Oceans Ultra Marathon will take place on Sunday, 17 April 2022.
•    Expo and Race Pack collection will take place at the Cape Town International Convention Centre 2 (CTICC2) from 13 to 15 April 2022.

Due to Covid-19 restrictions, all other events will not take place during the Two Oceans Marathon week.

NO ROUTE CHANGE
The Ultra Marathon will be run over the traditional 56km route, with no planned changes, unless due to events or circumstances beyond our control; or the authorities deem the route or part thereof to be unsafe for the runners, surrounding communities and the natural environment.

COVID-MITIGATING MEASURES
Runners will have to comply with stringent screening measures prior to the race. On the advice of the TOM medical team, runners will have to upload proof of vaccination, and/or present proof of a negative COVID-19 test taken not more than 48 hours prior to the race. Failure to do so will result in runners forfeiting their entry.

Runners will be able to have antigen tests done at the TOM Expo, should they be unable to provide proof of the above. This will be at runner’s cost.

All staff, officials, and event service providers and their staff will be required to present proof of vaccination, or a negative test result 48 hours prior to being on site.
Unfortunately, no spectators will be allowed at the start, along the route or at the finish areas.

All TOM 2022 event venues will be access controlled. Only holders of the official TOM 2022 accreditation and which is clearly displayed, will be allowed entry.

START LINE AND FINISH AREA COVID-19 PROTOCOLS

Strict Covid-19 protocols will be enforced at the start line and at the finish area. Multiple mat-to-mat batch starts will be deployed at intervals apart. Runners will be required to wear a mask at all times, including at the start line and finish area, and social distancing of 1,5 metres will be strictly enforced.

Regards

Nick Bester