From the United Kingdom to the shores of South Africa and across to Zimbabwe – athletes from the Nedbank Running Club (NRC) smashed PB’s, filled podiums and dominated the running scene locally and internationally.
In Middlebrough, UK, Comrades gold medallist Gerda Steyn proved she is in top form ahead of the upcoming New York City Marathon in November. Steyn smashed her previous 10km PB when she won the Tees Pride 10km race in a new PB of 33:58. Steyn, who will be lining up with the women’s elite field at the 2018 NYCM, was delighted with her run and new found speed. “Mission accomplished. Super stoked with a new 10km PB!”
From the UK to South Africa, NRC athletes were in top form at local races countrywide. One such athlete was Master lady Obertina Kanyongo. Just one day after winning her category in the Medihelp Tekkie Challenge 10 km in a time of 41:40, Kanyongo ran again at the Satori Camel Run 16km in Noordhoek where she placed 3rd overall and 1st Master lady.
More great performances came from Grandmaster Olga Howard and Veteran Bulelwa Simae, who both set course records at the Medihelp Tekkie Challenge. Simae finished 1st Veteran in a time of 38:25 while Howard placed first Grandmaster in a time of 43:21.
At one of the first marathons of the new running season, the Vaal River City Marathon in Vanderbijlpark, Melly Kennedy stormed to a 2nd place men’s finish while team mate Jennifer Koech won the women’s race. In the half marathon race two podium positions belonged to Bernard Bii who crossed the line as winner with Linus Ruto following in third position.
The NRC was well represented in Zimbabwe where Rutendo Nyahoro won the women’s race of the Westgate Half Marathon while team mate Munya Jari finished 6th in the men’s race.
Lastly, huge congratulations to all NRC runners who have been chosen to represent their respective provinces at the upcoming Cross-Country Champs in Port Elizabeth. Fly the flag high!
RESULTS
PARKLANE SUPER SPAR SPRING MEADOWS CAPITAL CLIMB, PIETERMARITZBURG, 2 SEPTEMBER
MEN
Open
2. Alert Kangor (NRC/KEN) 52:24 ?
WOMEN
Open
1. Florence Chepkurui (NRC/KEN) 64:44
SATORI CAMEL RUN, 16KM, NOORDHOEK, CAPE TOWN, 2 SEPTEMBER
Note: Just one day after winning her category in the Medihelp Tekkie Challenge 10 km (results below), Obertina Kanyongo ran again here, and placed 3rd overall and 1st Master lady.
WOMEN
Open
3. Obertina Kanyongo (ZIM/Ned) 76:04 (1st Mast)
MEDIHELP TEKKIE CHALLENGE 10 KM, KUILS RIVER, 1 SEPTEMBER
Note: Grandmaster Olga Howard and Veteran Bulelwa Simae both set course records here.
MEN
Veterans
2. Vakalisa Kopolo (NRC) 33:00
WOMEN
Open
2. Annie Bothma (NRC) 35:19
Veterans
1. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 38:25 (CR)
3. Busisiwe Matiwane (NRC) 44:23
Masters
1. Obertina Kanyongo (NRC/ZIM/) 41:40
Grandmasters
1. Olga Howard (NRC) 43:21 (CR)
DESPATCH SUPERSPAR 10 KM (EASTERN PROVINCE 10 KM CHAMPIONSHIPS) DESPATCH, 1 SEPTEMBER
MEN?
Veterans
1. Anele?Maliza (NRC) 33:40
2. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 35:08
Masters
?2. Sithembiso Yozo (NRC) 36:57
Great Grandmasters
1. Tamsanqu Jusayi (NRC) 47:46
WOMEN?
Veterans
1. Priscilla Dyantyi (NRC) 44:37 ??
Masters
2. Buyelwa Kobokana (NRC) 48:30 ?
Great Grandmasters
3. Dorothy ?Hart (NRC) 1:26:05
Juniors
1. Vicky Oelofse (NRC) 43:16 ?
SPIRIT OF FLIGHT 10 KM, PRETORIA, 1 SEPTEMBER
WOMEN
Masters
2. Ansa Strydom (NRC) 48:21
KEYSTONE MILLING RUSTENBURG MOUNTAIN RACE RUSTENBURG, 1 SEPTEMBER
25 km
MEN
Open?
2. Edward Mothibi (NRC) 1:33:41
3. Obed Kopong (NRC) 1:33:51
Veterans
1. Jameson Mabapa (NRC) 1:44:18
LANGEBAAN HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, LANGEBAAN, 25 AUGUST
Half Marathon
WOMEN
4. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 1:27:22
7. Obertina Kanyongo (NRC/ZIM) 1:34:19
10 km
MEN
5. Mthandazo Qhina (NRC) 32:44
9. Vakalisa Kopolo (NRC) 33:56
VAAL RIVER CITY MARATHON & HALF MARATHON, VANDERBIJLPARK, 2 SEPT
MEN
Open
2. Melly Kennedy (NRC)
WOMEN
Open
1. Jennifer Koech (NRC)
21km
MEN
Open
1. Bernard Bii (NRC/KEN)
3. Linus Ruto (NRC)
6. Mark Oyugi (NRC)
WESTGATE HALF MARATHON, ZIMBABWE, 2 SEPTEMBER
MEN
Open
6. Munya Jari (NRC)
WOMEN
Open
1. Rutendo Nyahora (NRC)
CROSS-COUNTRY
ATHLETES SELECTED FOR UPCOMING SA CROSS COUNTRY CHAMPS IN PORT ELIZABETH
AGN Team (Coached by Enock Skosana)
· Enoch Skosana 8km Vet M
· Thabang Segalagala 4km Snr M
· Thabang Maleka 4km U/23
· Welcome Lubisi 4km U/23
· Titos Segole 4km Snr M
· Matome Mmothethi 4km U/23
· Simphiwe Mahlangu 4km B14
· Frans Lekwadu 8km M18
· Themba Khoza 6km B17
· Sanele Zwane 6km B15
· Nyiko Mashakeni 4km B13
Central Gauteng Team
· Ntsindiso Mphakathi 10km Snr M
· Welma Nkuna 6km Jnr W
· Kutlwisiso Sidinile 8km Jnr M
· Thabo Masina 4km Snr M
· Andronica Mokgotla 4km Snr W
· Sandra WiJtenbug G16
· Zeb Mokonoto M50
· Donald Sampson M55
· Sekwalo Motsei W45
· Laura Venter W50
Dirk Venter M55