The Nedbank Running Club’s (NRC) female contingent definitely consists of some of the best female runners in the country. This was evident in the past week’s races held countrywide, and even internationally.
Some fantastic running came from NRC’s Ibet Allan (40) who won a bronze medal in the 40-age category at the World Masters Athletics Champs in Spain. She clocked a speedy 1:24:21 in a highly competitive field of 40 finishers. This was probably one of the closest finishes in a half marathon; only .01seconds separated the 2nd and 3rd placed finishers. Ibet’s fantastic performance comes shortly after she won the San Francisco Marathon about two months ago in a time of 1:22:12.
Teammates and Grandmaster Frances van Blerk put on a strong performance in the Women’s 60-age category, finishing in 17th position in a time of 2:00:16.
Back home more dominant performances came from the NRC ladies. Former Comrades Marathon champ Charné Bosman started her racing week off to a good start when she finished 3rd female overall and 1st Veteran at the Lester Mills Memorial 10km in Pretoria. Bosman crossed the line in 38:27. Teammate Portia Ngwenya finished just ahead of Bosman in a time of 38:07.
Three days later Bosman lined up for the women’s race of the Brooklyn Mall Andrew Greyling Memorial Half Marathon, which she won in a time of 85:43. In the process she also placed 1st Veteran.
Teammate and Grandmaster Margie Saunders, added to the NRC ladies medal tally when she finished second lady overall at the Friendly City Half Marathon in Port Elizabeth. She clocked a speedy 1:39, placing 1st Grandmaster.
NRC was also well represented over the short distances. Kobie Griffiths won the competitive UWC Street Mile in Belville in a time of 5:33.
RESULTS
MSA MULTISPORT TRIPLE F 10KM, WYNBERG, CAPE TOWN, 16 SEPTEMBER
Note: This race was well short of 10km. According to reports, the men ran around 9.6 km and the women around 9.8 km. -- Ed.
MEN
Veterans
2. Vakalisa Kopolo (NRC) 30:40
WOMEN
Veterans
3. Chantel Simpson (NRC) 39:36
Masters
1. Obertina Kanyongo (NRC/ZIM) 38:57
Grandmasters
2. Charmaine Cupido (NRC) 47:29
FRIENDLY CITY MARATHON, HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, ?PORT ELIZABETH, 15 SEPTEMBER
Note: An excellent performance here by Grandmaster Margie Saunders, who finished second overall in the half marathon. -- Ed.
Marathon
MEN
Open
1. Gift Chigomarawa (NRC) 2:35:16 ?
Veterans
1. Luvuyo Stephen (NRC) 3:10:33 ?
Masters
1. Welcome Loliwe (NRC) 3:13:10 ?
3. Bisho Nombewu (NRC) 3:22:14 ?
Grandmasters ?
2. Nelson Mgubasi (NRC) 3:48:27 ?
WOMEN ?
Veterans
1. Wendy Van der Merwe (NRC) 4:18:23 ??
Half Marathon
MEN
Open ?
2. George Ntshiliza (NRC) 1:19:51 ?
3. Anele Maliza (NRC) 1:19:55 ?
Veterans
1. Anele Maliza (NRC) 1:19:55
Masters
1. Mutekile Rasmeni (NRC) 1:26:57
Great Grandmasters
1. Tamsanqa Jusayi (NRC) 2:03:37
WOMEN
Open ?
2. Margie Saunders (NRC) 1:39:16 (1st Grandmaster) ?
3. Davera Magson (NRC) 1:40:37 (1st Vet) ?
Veterans
1. Davera Magson (NRC) 1:40:37
Grandmasters
1. Margie Saunders (NRC) 1:39:16
Great Grandmasters
1. Ronelle Steyn (NRC) 2:19:31
10 km
MEN
Open ?
3. Brendon Effenaar (NRC) 34:28 ?
Veterans
1. Melikhaya Kepe (NRC) 36:08
BROOKLYN MALL ANDREW GREYLING MEMORIAL HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, PRETORIA, 15 SEPTEMBER
Half Marathon
MEN
Open
2. Siyabonga Dingile (NRC) 74:05
Great Grandmasters
1. Pele Tshikundamalema (NRC) 1:49:06
WOMEN
Open
1 Charné Bosman (NRC) 85:43 (1st Vet)
Veterans
1. Charné Bosman (NRC) 85:43
10 km
MEN
Open
2. Collin Parura (NRC/ZIM) 32:27
Veterans
1. Moses Njuguna (NRC/KEN) 34:02
WOMEN
Open
1. Portia Ngwenya (NRC) 38:02
ALAN PATON 10KM STEAM TRAIN RACE, IXOPO, 15 SEPTEMBER
WOMEN
Open
3. Malineo Makatisi (NRC) 39:06
Masters
1. Mary Mwelase (NRC) 49:09
UWC STREET MILE, BELLVILLE, 15 SEPTEMBER (DISTANCE: 1 MILE)
WOMEN
Kobie Griffiths (NRC) 5:33
LESTER MILLS MEMORIAL 10 KM, PRETORIA, 12 SEPTEMBER
MEN
Open
3. Moses Njuguna (NRC/KEN) 33:09 (1st Vet)
Veterans
1. Moses Njuguna (NRC/KEN) 33:09
Great Grandmasters
1. Pele Tshidukudamalema (NRC) 47:12
WOMEN
Open
2. Portia Ngwenya (NRC) 38:07
3. Charné Bosman (NRC) 38:27 (1st Vet)
Veterans
1. Charné Bosman (NRC) 38:27
20KM KONKA TRAIL RUN, NORTH WEST, 15 SEPTEMBER
MEN
Open
1. Jameson Mabapa (NRC) 01:20 (King of the Rock Castle, 1st Overall and 1st Veteran).