|
NEDBANK RUNNING CLUB NATIONAL | WEEKEND RESULTS ROUND-UP
Every so often a weekend of racing comes along that says more about a club than any medal count ever could, and this past weekend was one of them. From the Sea Point Promenade to the trails around Mossel Bay, from cross country fields in the Eastern Cape to a Limpopo half marathon, Nedbank Running Club athletes turned out in numbers across the country. But it was the relay teams at the Cape Town Festival of Running that captured the true spirit of the club this week - a reminder that we are More Than A Club, and that teamwork really does make the dream work. Here's the full round-up, region by region.
NRC WESTERN PROVINCE (WPA)
Team spirit on the promenade: NRC WPA’s relay teams show what we stand for.
There's an old truth in running that individual glory is sweet, but a relay medal shared between teammates hits differently - and Nedbank Running Club WPA proved exactly that at the Cape Town Festival of Running's 5x5km Relay on the Sea Point Promenade. Three Nedbank teams took to the start line this year, and two of them came home with hardware. But regardless of the final placings, it was the way all three teams got there that told the real story: five athletes, one baton, one shared goal, every single time.
The Nedbank RC Ladies Elite Team, running under the name "Green Mambas," claimed silver in the Open Women's category. Kimara Solms, Zarah Lewis, Anneline Roffey, Heidi de Jager and Rolandi Schutte each carried the team's hopes over their own 5km leg, handing over stride for stride to build a result that belonged to all five equally. It's a squad that spans different personal bests, different racing backgrounds and different corners of the club - yet on the day, they ran as one unit with one target.
Not to be outdone, the Nedbank RC Men's Elite Team battled to a well-earned bronze in the Open Men's category. Sikhanyiso Majeke, Marcelino Booysen, Siya Centane, Njabulo Fanyana and Riaan Wildschut showed that same relay-day chemistry that turns five individual runners into a genuine team. Whether chasing down the leaders or defending a hard-fought position, both squads embodied exactly what makes a club like ours special - the willingness to run for the person next to you, not just for yourself.
It's easy to celebrate a solo podium finish, but results like these are the ones that build a club culture. Well done to every athlete who pulled on a green vest and ran their heart out for their teammates this weekend - this is what More Than A Club means in practice, and it's exactly the kind of teamwork we want to keep celebrating.
Beyond the relay heroics on the Promenade, Nedbank WPA athletes delivered strong individual results across both the half marathon and ultra distances at the Cape Town Festival of Running.
Cape Town Festival of Running 21.1km
In the Open Women's race, Anel Terblanche took the win in 1:21:35, with clubmate Heidi de Jager rounding out the podium in 3rd in 1:25:58. Angela Dell claimed 2nd in the Women's 40-49 category in 1:37:39, Lee Weaver finished 2nd in the Men's 50-59 category in 1:24:08, and Charmaine Cupido added a 3rd place finish in the Women's 70-79 division in 2:11:07.
Cape Town Festival of Running 50km
Over the ultra distance, Ricardo Swartz, affectionately known as the "Karoo Kid," finished 2nd in 3:07:34, while Elmé Middlemost also claimed 2nd place in 4:14:49.
Gauteng's athletes were in fine form across two very different events this weekend.
28th Northgate Road Race
Ezna Flattey claimed 1st place in the Grandmaster category in a time of 47:00.
Mandela Day Run 2026
Jeannie Henderson (Nedbank CG) put in a dominant display to finish 1st Lady overall and 1st in the 40+ category in 1:31:00.
NRC SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS (SWD)
PetroSA 10km, Mossel Bay
Team Nedbank George, SWD enjoyed an excellent weekend on home soil at the PetroSA 10km. Austin Koopman won the Open Men's race outright in 33:47, with Luciano Squire following him home in 3rd in 35:33, while Carla Spangenberg claimed 3rd in the Open Women's race in 40:53. Kezia Matthyssen won the Junior category in 43:49, Melissa Van Rensburg took the Women's 40-49 title in 42:02, Nerida Lubbe claimed victory in the Women's 50-59 category in 42:11, and Johan Grobbelaar rounded out a superb day for the club with the win in the Men's 60-69 category in 43:37.
Cape Town Festival of Running 50km
Delaine Willemse flew the SWD flag on the ultra stage too, finishing 3rd female overall at the Cape Town Festival of Running 50km in a time of 4:25:32.
NRC EASTERN PROVINCE (EPA)
EPA Cross Country League 4, St Albans
Nedbank's Eastern Province athletes filled podium positions across almost every age category on offer at League 4. Refeloe Solomons enjoyed a fine double in the Open Women's races, winning both the Senior Women's 10km in 40:33 and the Senior Women's 4km in 15:45, while Andile Motwani claimed 3rd in the Open Senior Men's 10km in 32:30. Among the youngsters, Gabrielle Schweyer finished 3rd in the Girls' Under-9 in 9:28.
Moving up through the age categories, Liza-Marie Kingston took the win in the Women's 40-49 in 16:27 with Siena De Vos adding a 3rd place finish in 21:42, while Mzolisi Makhanda and Thulani Mdlalo went one-two in the Men's 40-49 in 27:57 and 29:19. Liezl van Zyl claimed 2nd in the Women's 50-59 in 18:23, and August Esau and Michael Kingston went 2nd and 3rd in the Men's 50-59 in 33:39 and 35:35 respectively. Christine Claasen won the Women's 60-69 4km in 18:55 ahead of clubmate Thandi Nkwandla in 23:22, while Christopher Mabengeza finished 3rd in the Men's 60-69 in 25:16. Raymond Weitz claimed the Men's 70-74 title in 29:33, and Eddie Eades rounded out the club's results with the win in the Men's 75+ category in 20:28 ahead of Don Charles in 21:11.
Golden Oldies 10km, East London
Luthando Tyinkana, representing Nedbank Running Club East London, put in an impressive run to finish 2nd in the Junior category in 35:14.
Nedbank colours were also flying well beyond the club's core regions this weekend. At the NHS Wobsa Half Marathon in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, Tabitha Tsatsa produced a superb run to finish 1st overall and 1st Master in 1:37:00 - a brilliant individual result to add to the club's growing list of achievements this week.
Away from the results sheet, a lovely moment took place in Klerksdorp this weekend when a group of Nedbank members joined running legend Bruce Fordyce for a 5km parkrun. Bruce needs no introduction to South African running fans, a nine-time Comrades Marathon champion and one of the sport's true icons, and it's always a special thing when club members get to share the road with someone who has meant so much to the running community. Moments like these are a reminder that this club isn't just about podiums and personal bests; it's about the people, the shared miles, and the stories we get to tell along the way.
SPONSOR SPOTLIGHT: THIRSTI SPRING HALF
Mark the calendar: one of our valued sponsors and partners, Thirsti Beverages, is hosting the Thirsti Spring Half in the stunning setting of Tulbagh, Western Cape, on 29 August 2026. Runners can choose between the 21.1km half marathon, starting at 08h00, or the 10km Spring Run, starting at 08h30. Entry includes a Thirsti Spring Half Versus socks, a finisher's medal, race number and timing chip, and tog bag drop-and-collect service.
Online entries are open now and close on 24 August 2026 (or when entries sell out), so Nedbank members keen to take on this beautiful Boland route are encouraged to enter early. Entries can be completed at www.thirstispringhalf.co.za. It's always worth supporting the brands who support us, and Tulbagh's mountain scenery makes this one well worth the drive.
If there's one thread running through this week's results, it's this: whether it was five athletes sharing a relay baton on the Promenade, a club member pacing alongside a running legend in Klerksdorp, or individual athletes carrying their region's colours into far-flung corners of the country, Nedbank Running Club showed once again what it means to be More Than A Club. Teamwork made the dream work this weekend, and every single result, podium or not, was built on the same foundation of camaraderie and support. Congratulations to every athlete who raced, and to everyone who cheered them on. Here's to another great week of running ahead.
#RunWithUs | #GrowWithUs | #GreenDreamTeam | #NedbankRunningClub | #MoreThanAClub
|
