Green light on Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km doping results

With a World record-breaking run-in March at the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km which saw South

Africa’s Stephen Mokoka smash the previous record set at the same event last year, the Athletes Integrity Unit (AIU) have announced that all doping tests conducted at the event have come back and in the clear.

Analysed at the WADA (World Anti-Doping Association) accredited laboratory in Bloemfontein, all the samples that were collected at the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km did not reveal the presence and/or use of methods or substances prohibited under the current WADA prohibited list.

“This is fantastic news not only for our event, but for the athletes as well,” said race director Nick Bester. “Athletes are showing that you can achieve great things and break barriers and do it clean.”

With the announcement, world record and world age group best times can be finalised as well as the payment of prize money and medals.

Just like the previous 2 editions, the Nedbank Runified Breaking Barriers 50km returns in 2023 to the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality city of Gqeberha and promises to be bigger and better

Nedbank Running Club athletes excel at Durban International Marathon

On a cool but windy Durban morning this past Sunday, Nedbank running club athletes dominated the Durban International Marathon which also included the South African Marathon championships. With R50 000 going to the victor, the racing was fast and furious upfront.

Isaac Mpofu from Nedbank RC Zimbabwe initiated the pace from the moment the starers pistol was fired, taking a group of 6 with him as they set out at a tempo projecting a 2:10 marathon finish. After missing out on a World champs’ qualifier by only 11 seconds in last years Cape Town Marathon where Mpofu ran 2:11:41, Mpofu came into the race confident of a good performance.

The halfway marked was reached in 1:04:58, well under the required sub 2:11:30 world champs’ qualifier which would not only be an automatic selection into this year’s championships in Oregon in July, but also qualify for next years championships in Budapest.

One by one the pack had runners drop off due to the pace being set until it was down to two, with South Africa’s Tumelo Motlagale on Mpofus shoulder. At 34km, Motlagale through in a surge which saw Mpofu drop back but the seasoned marathoner was biding his time and not wanting to overdo it with still some distance to run. “When Tumelo surged so hard, I told myself that it was too early,” said Mpofu. “My plan was to increase after 38km.”

And increase he did. Trailing just over 100 meters behind Motlagale, Mpofu started a surge from home and just before 39km, went into the lead. A fast final 3km saw Mpofu cross the line victorious in a personal best time of 2:10:24, a double world champs’ qualifier in tow.

Elation soon turned to anguish after it was announced just before the prize giving that Mpofu was being disqualified. Mpofu had only run with the official race number on the front of the vest and did not have a temporary license number on the back. With his race entry, a temporary license was not given to him and his coach when they collected their race number before the event.

An appeal was lodged straight after the announcement but was denied. “I am not even worried about the R50 000 prize money,” said a distraught Mpofu. “They can keep the money but don’t disqualify me and my time. All I want is my time to stand so that I can represent my country at the championships.” At the time of writing, it is believed that Mpofu’s coach and manager have escalated the matter further, with the hope of Mpofu’s time being reinstated.

In the women’s race, Nedbank RC teammates Shelmith Muriuki and Gete Galato were unchallenged from the word go, as the pair cruised through the halfway mark in 1:16:50, already a minute ahead of their nearest challenger. Galato looked the more comfortable of the two, with a tired looking Muriuki hot off the Nedbank Breaking Barriers 50km where she was 2nd and the Two Oceans 56km where she was 4th.

The marathon though is a learning experience, and the experienced Muriuki found another gear just before 30km where Galato started to drift back. Although the pace did slow drastically towards the finish, Muriuki remained unchallenged, crossing the line, arms in the air in a time of 2:37:54. Galato held on for 2nd, crossing the line in 2:41:00. Behind them, the race for the South African championships was hotting up with Nedbank RC’s Stella Marais in the provincial colours of Athletics Gauteng North running only her 3rd marathon but crossing the line 2nd in the championships in a time of 2:46:30.

“I am really glad that is over as I battled in the second half of the race,” said a tired Marais afterwards. “My aim was to run quicker than my pb of 2:38:22 and was comfortable to do it even through halfway but when the wind picked up my legs started to hurt. I am still so happy though because this is my first national championships medal on the road.”

In the accompanying 10km, Nedbank running club teammates Wellington Varevi and Moses Tarakinyu who was fresh off his recent win at the Two Oceans Half Marathon finished 2nd and 3rd respectively in 28:59 and 29:10.

SPAR GRAND PRIX EXPANDED TO INCLUDE MPUMALANGA

R1.7 MILLION PRIZEMONEY UP FOR GRABS IN 2022 SPAR GRAND PRIX SERIES The SPAR Grand Prix series is back again this year and will now take place in five different provinces

Mbombela, the Mpumalanga capital, has been added to the SPAR Grand Prix calendar, replacing Pietermaritzburg. The Lowveld city is an ideal venue, with its pleasant warm winter weather and low altitude allowing the athletes the best possible chance of running excellent times.

“SPAR is well known for the promotion and development of women in sports, especially in grassroot areas,” said SPAR Lowveld Marketing Director Sean Komlosy.

“This event will produce a solid foundation for the development and future sustainability of female athletes in Mpumalanga. We will also include differently abled athletes in a non-elite race, which is a first for our province,” he said.

Komlosy said the SPAR Grand Prix would also provide opportunities for community leaders and organisations to get involved.

“The relationship between athletics and The SPAR Group has continued to outlive many others. This season, for instance, is another year of smiles for many athletes who will once again be happy to get another chance to run and a shot for top prizemoney. For many women, running is their life because it puts food on the table and each race of these series gives them that opportunity to work towards another pay day.

“As our sport continues to ease back from the clutches of Covid-19, we applaud the efforts of THE SPAR GROUP for ploughing back to our communities through the sport of athletics. Over the years, we have also seen the revival of many careers where women athletes had given up. On behalf of the board of ASA, we wish all athletes and the communities hosting the respective races, a wonderful experience,” said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa.

The other women’s only 10km races will be run in Gqeberha, Durban, Tshwane, Johannesburg and Cape Town. The first race, in Gqeberha will be on May the 28th and the last in Cape Town on October 23.

Good news for the runners is that prize money has been increased to R170 000 for each race, with the winner receiving R30 000.

Entries for each race will be restricted to 500 runners, who will compete in the Open, Junior, 40-49, 50-59 and 60+ categories.

Points for the SPAR Grand Prix will be awarded to the first 20 runners in the Open category, with 20 points for the winner and one for the 20th-placed runner. Points will be awarded to the first five finishers in the age group categories.

For the first time since 2019, points will also be awarded to runners who achieve excellent times. In the age groups, five points will be awarded to all runners achieving the target time. In the Open group, there will be a two-tier system for bonus points, with 10 points for exceptional times and five points for slower, but still excellent times. Juniors will earn points from the Durban, Tshwane and Cape Town races.

For the safety of the top athletes, based on the fluctuating COVID regulations and the unprecedented times we find ourselves in, SPAR have restricted each of the six races to 500 invited athletes. For all the other women who have loyally supported The SPAR Women’s Challenges nationwide, SPAR have gone virtual again this year. However, that does not mean SPAR have compromised on the FUN!

The SPAR Women’s Virtual Challenge will take place on Saturday 3 September 2022 and entries are open on. SPAR encourage all women to gather their friends together, work out a route in their local community and share all the fun.

SPAR have also announced Superfine as a new partner of the Grand Prix. Superfine is an African Lifestyle Brand specialising in Eyewear, Timewear and Personal Accessories. The winner of each race will receive a substantial Superfine voucher and all category winners at the seasons end will walk away with prizes from Superfine. Nigel Smit, MD of Superfine said that Superfine were delighted to partner with the SPAR Grand Prix, “We are a brand born in Africa and are proud of it! We are continually inspired by our country and her people. South Africa’s women’s top athletes compliment our aims and objectives of being uncompromising in our drive to create high quality ‘personal treasures’ that stand the test of time.”

Other SPAR Grand Prix partners are Athletics South Africa and Modern Athlete.

2022 SPAR GRAND PRIX CALENDAR
Saturday, May 28 - Gqeberha
Sunday, June 26 - Durban
Saturday, July 16 - Mbombela
Saturday, August 6 - Tshwane
Sunday, October 2 - Johannesburg
Sunday, October 23 - Cape Town

SPAR GRAND PRIX WEBSITE

https://www.sparwomensrace.co.za

Comrades renews partnerships with beverage sponsors

Runners will be spoilt for choice with an array of beverages to choose from at this year’s Comrades Marathon.

This after the Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) announced the renewal of partnerships with local bottled water company, Thirsti Water, The Netherlands-based Swinkels Family Brewers and the Coca Cola Company.

The top spring water brand, Thirsti Water will feature as the exclusive Hydration Partner to the Comrades Marathon for another three years, supplying athletes with Thirsti Water and its Isofit+ sports drinks at refreshment stations all along the 90km Comrades route.

Runners can also expect to enjoy Bavaria 0.0% Beer at selected refreshment stations during the second half of the

race. Sponsored by Swinkels Family Brewers, Bavaria 0.0% is a non-alcoholic pilsner with an authentic and unmistakable beer flavour, brewed with the best ingredients and natural mineral water from Bavaria’s own spring.

Coca-Cola beverages will continue to be served at every refreshment station with the regular Coke, Fanta, Crème Soda and other flavours available to all athletes.

CMA Chairperson, Mqondisi Ngcobo says, “As a proudly South African and KZN event, the Comrades Marathon Association is immensely proud to re-sign Thirsti Water, Swinkels Family Brewers and Coca-Cola as our respective hydration, beer and soft drink partners.”

Ngcobo adds, “It is reassuring to know that by partnering with companies that share our values, not only will our runners enjoy the benefits of a wide range of beverages to hydrate them but will ultimately benefit our own local economy and communities.”

NOTE: Since 2020, Orange Grove Dairy has positioned itself as the official provider of dairy products, fruit juice products, Asemzansi Amahewu, MultiGo and yoghurt to The Ultimate Human Race. Nearly 40-thousand 250ml ready-to-drink sachets of Asemzansi Amahewu will be made available at refreshment stations along the route on Comrades race day.

Futurelife have just launched a new instant oats, and are also running some special offers in their online store at futurelife.com

Follow the link below to support Rivaldo Roberts to participate in Europe as he aims on being in contention for selection for the Commonwealth games and in the future to go to worlds and ultimately Paris 2024.

https://www.backabuddy.co.za/rivaldo-roberts

Nedbank Runners' Guide