Another week of sterling performances by Nedbank Running Club (NRC) runners reinforced the NRC’s position as top running club in the country.
Top-notch performances in Gauteng came from Leswene Africa who broke the tape at the Rainbow Half Marathon in Kempton Park in a time of 1:07:21. At the Irene Spring Half Marathon in Irene Andronica Mokgotla claimed first position in the women’s race, finishing in a time of 88:07.
The NRC ladies ran to some strong performances at the South African 10km Champs held in Middleburg. Veteran Bulelwa Simae finished 1st Veteran (39:59) while teammate and Grandmaster Annatjie Botes finshed 1st Grandmaster (45:35).
Moving to George a special mention this week goes to age category runner Margie Saunders who at the age of 65 recently won the open category of the St. Francis Nautical Run Half Marathon. She finished in 1:40:45 and was the second oldest female in the race. In fact, it was her second race in two days -- actually third for the weekend, because she also did a biathle on Friday evening. On top of this she set a list leader time of 42:20 at the NMB Colchester Development 10km Run in Colchester. And that at the age of 65! Speaking about age, the ever-consistent Tamsanqua Jusayi finished top Great Grandmaster at the same race. He finished in a time of 46:28, not bad for a 76-year-old.
It has just been announced that another athlete from the NRC finished within the Top Ten at this year’s Two Oceans Ultra Marathon. The Athletics Integrity Unit has announced that Puleng Petrus Maeko, who finished seventh in this year's Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, returned a positive test for the steroid Betamethasone. Maeko, who runs for Rocky Road Runners, has been banned for two years. All athletes behind him move up one position, with Jesse Gichuhi (NRC/KEN), who was 11th, now receiving the last gold medal. Nedbank Running Club also moves to 2nd in the open men’s team prize
"Whilst it is unfortunate that the runner who finished 7th was disqualified, I am really very happy that I now fall into the 10th position and earn a gold medal. Top ten was my main aim this year as my previous best was 13th position. When I got the news a couple of days ago it was the best news ever. I have now got renewed energy to compete in 2019 and will set my sights on a top 5 finish next year. I know with the support of the NRC and sponsors Nike and Biogen we will do just great in 2019."
RESULTS
SOUTH AFRICAN 10KM CHAMPIONSHIPS, (RUN IN CONJUNCTION WITH THE JOSIAH THUGWANE 10KM)?MIDDELBURG, 29 SEPTEMBER
WOMEN
Veterans
1. Bulelwa Simae (NRC) 39:59
Grandmasters
1. Annatjie Botes (NRC) 45:35
IRENE SPRING HALF MARATHON & 10KM, PRETORIA, 29 SEPTEMBER
Half Marathon
MEN
Open
3. Lucky Mtshali (NRC) 72:07
Veterans
2. Moses Njuguna (NRC/KEN) 73:43
Grandmasters
1. Sam Ndala (NRC) 98:02
WOMEN
Open
1. Andronica Mokgotla (NRC) 88:07
Masters
1. Ansa Strydom (NRC) 1:51:20
10 km
MEN
Open
2. Collin Parura (NRC/ZIM/Nedbank) 31:41
WOMEN?
Grandmasters
1. Frances van Blerk (NRC) 55:58
GOODWOOD HARRIERS 10 KM CHALLENGE, GOODWOOD, 29 SEPTEMBER
WOMEN
Grandmasters
2. Charmaine Cupido (NRC) 50:35
KAROOLUS WINDPOMP HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, GRAAFF-REINET, 29 SEPTEMBER
Half Marathon
MEN
Open
2. Simthembile Swarts (NRC) 1:08:08 ?
WOMEN
Open
1. Mariëtte Hattingh (NRC) 1:35:20 ?(1st Master)
Masters
1. Mariëtte Hattingh (NRC) 1:35:20
10KM
MEN ?
2. George Ntshilliza (NRC) 31:38 ?
3. Brendon Effenaar (NRC) 33:16 ?
WOMEN
Open
2. Joan Viljoen (NRC) 45:19 ?
BOPHELONG HALF MARATHON & 10 KM, MAMELODI, PRETORIA, 24 SEPTEMBER
Half Marathon
Veterans
1. Micah Kipyego (NRC/KEN) 70:13
WOMEN
Open
3. Sunette Schoonraad (NRC) 1:40:10
ST. FRANCIS NAUTICAL RUN HALF MARATHON (1ST)?ST. FRANCIS, 23 SEPTEMBER
Note: A great victory in the women's race by Margie Saunders, the second oldest female in the race. It was her second race in two days -- actually third for the weekend, because she also did a biathle on Friday evening
MEN
Open
1. Gift Chigomarawa (NRC/ZIM) 1:11:10 ?
WOMEN
Open
1. Margie Saunders (NRC) 1:40:45 ?
NMB COLCHESTER DEVELOPMENT RUN 10 KM (3RD)?COLCHESTER, 22 SEPTEMBER
Note: An excellent fourth place here by grandmaster Margie Saunders, with a list leader.
MEN
Open ?
4. Gift Chigomarawa (NRC/ZIM) 31:44 ??
Masters
1. Sithembiso Yozo (NRC) 37:06 ?
Great Grandmasters
1. Tamsanqa Jusayi (NRC) 46:28 ??
Juniors
3. Anele Voorman (NRC) 35:37 ?
WOMEN
Open
4. Margie Saunders (NRC) 42:20 ?
5. Mariëtte Hattingh (NRC) 43:28 ?
Masters
1. Mariëtte Hattingh (NRC) 43:28 ??
3. Buyelwa Kobokana (NRC) 47:30 ?
Grandmasters
1. Margie Saunders (NRC) 42:20 ?
Great Grandmasters
1. Ronelle Steyn (NRC) 1:01:35
3. Dorothy Hart (NRC) 1:23:59
Juniors
1. Vicky Oelofse (NRC) 41:46
STRAWBERRY TRAIL RUN, GEORGE, 29 SEPTEMBER
5KM
MEN
1. Deeno Baartman (NRC) 18:00
2. Jerome Ferland (NRC) 20:04
3. Darryl Solomons (NRC) 22:02
WOMEN
1. Louw-Anne Lourens (NRC) 24:34
2. Zhane Vorster (NRC) 24:58
3. Talita Van Zyl (NRC) 28:57
9KM
MEN
1. Lloyd Bosman (NRC) 31:23
2. Donovan Jantjies (NRC) 32:04
3. Godwin Heyns (NRC) 34:24
WOMEN
1. Melissa Van Rensburg (NRC) 41:14
2. Anastasia Plaatjies (NRC) 43:19