FROM A RURAL VILLAGE TO THE COMMONWEALTH GAMES

He grew up in a rural village without parents and only a sister looking after him.

His running track was dirt fields without any expensive running shoes or supplements. He knew little about the world of international running. But with the help of a very passionate running coach and a club that backs him every step of the way Tshepo Tshite will soon be off to the Commonwealth Games in Australia to represent his country in the 800m event.

Tshepo is part of the Nedbank Running Club’s Development Group in Klerksdorp, North West, where he trains under the watchful eye of former running great Pio Mpolokeng. After recently finishing second at the South Rand Region Champs in Zimbabwe, Tshepo got selected to represent SA next April at the Commonwealth Games. It will be the second time ever that Tshepo gets on a plane, and excitement levels - and training levels - are sky high, says coach Pio.

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2017 Old Mutual Spirit of Comrades Winners to be announced this Friday

Noble deeds celebrated

2017 Comrades Marathon Champions, Bongmusa Mthembu and proudly Nedbank Green Dream Team member Camille Herron, will be presented with the revered Comrades Marathon Winners Jackets at this Friday’s Old Mutual Spirit of Comrades Awards.

Bongmusa is the first South African to win both the Comrades Marathon Down Run and Up Run since 1987 while Camille is the first American to win the Comrades since 1997.

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) will host this Friday’s gala dinner for the third year together with major sponsor, Old Mutual. The celebratory affair has been a defining feature of the Comrades Marathon since 1991.

CMA Marketing Manager, Thami Vilakazi says, “We received more than fifty individual nominations this year. The bulk of the nominations were submitted by Comrades Marathon runners and the general public. The CMA welcomes nominations from Comrades runners and supporters, the public at large as well as its members and other sponsors.”

The nominations were adjudicated by the CMA’s Heritage & Traditions Committee, the recommendations of which were then approved by the CMA Board. Special emphasis is placed on Comrades Marathon winners, legends, volunteers and otherwise ordinary heroes and heroines who exhibit the honorable qualities associated with The Ultimate Human Race.

The CMA will also present the Journalist of the Year Award to the reporter who has written the most articles on The Ultimate Human Race this year; the Comrades Marathon Top Charity Fundraiser Award to the person who has raised the most funds for the Comrades Charities and the esteemed CMA Life Membership Award which is conferred upon members who have rendered outstanding meritorious service to the race.
CMA General Manager, Chris Fisher says, “The Old Mutual Spirit of Comrades Awards recognises those who truly live the Comrades Brand DNA. It is a celebration of true human goodness. We look forward to celebrating their achievements later this week.”

A HUGE WEEKEND OF SUPERB ROAD RUNNING

The past weekend was one of the busiest on the South African road running calendar, with some of the biggest and most well known races hosted countrywide. Athletes from Nedbank Running Clubs (NRC) across the country did not disappoint, and earned top spots at many of the races.

The biggest races of the weekend included the fast and flat FNB Durban 10km CitySurfRun, where some of the worlds best competed for top honours. Joel Mmone (29:32), Phillimon Mathiba (29:39) and Thabang Mosiako (29:47) all finished in the top ten.

Some great sportsmanship was seen amongst the Nedbank athletes at the OUTsurance 94.5KFM GUN RUN when Klerksdorp athlete and twice Gun Run champion, David Manja, made a near-costly error in the final kilometre, following the referee’s bike on a longer detour to the finish instead of the leading marshall. At that stage he was

20 seconds clear of teammate Xolisa Tyali.

Tyali, just three weeks after finishing 8th at the Cape Town Marathon, followed the correct route and was mystified when he broke the tape at the finish in 1:04:37 to be announced the winner. Tyali was the first to question his win and after a conference between the referee and the Nedbank teammates it was concluded that the error was not entirely the fault of Manja. He was awarded the title with a corrected finish time of 1:04:36 - one second faster than that of Tyali – and first prize of R25 000.

Another mention at the same race goes to Klerksdorp athlete, Obed Kopong, running in his first Gun Run, who claimed the last podium position in a time of 1:06:20.

Another shout out goes to Anele Voorman, who is only 17 years old but managed to finish second overall (34:45) and first Junior at the Karoolus Windpomp 10 km in Graaff-Reinet.

The Nedbank women flew their flag high at the Joburg SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at Marks Park. Irvette van Zyl led from start to finish to win the race in 35:08. Van Zyl was second overall in the 2017 SPAR Grand Prix. In the 60-69 category Margie Saunders won the race in a time of 46:57, and with that she clinched a series win in her age category. Frances van Blerk was just behind her in second position in a time of 50:24. Van Blerk shares second position in the Series with evergreen Sonja Laxton.

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VAN ZYL WINS SPAR RACE

Johannesburg, South Africa - Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) led from start to finish to win the Joburg SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge at Marks Park in Emmarentia on Sunday.

She finished 35.08 minutes, beating Kesa Moletsane (KPMG) by 19 seconds. Nolene Conrad (KPMG) was third in 36.39.

There was a sizeable gap between them and the rest of the field, on a new route which followed a twisting and sometimes difficult course.

Molotsane’s second place was good enough to secure her victory in the 2017 SPAR Grand Prix. The defending champion, Van Zyl, was second and Conrad third.
“I had a good race. My legs weren’t too tired after the Cape Town marathon, and I was determined to win,” said Van Zyl.

“I was a bit worried about Kesa, who always hangs back a bit. I had a bit of a dip between six and eight kilometres, and just tried to put enough space between us. When I was still in the lead with a kilometre to go, I really pushed it, because I didn’t want to lose in a sprint.
“I always like a hilly route, although this one was quite tough,” she said .

“It was a very good competition, and Kesa has done brilliantly to win the Grand Prix in her first year of road running,” said Van Zyl.
“I lost my chance of winning the Grand Prix when I dropped out of the Durban race with an injury, but I am very happy with my performance.”
Moletsane said she had not done much training and just wanted to earn enough points to make sure of winning the Grand Prix.

“I felt I was in control, but when I got to eight kilometres, my kick just wasn’t there. But I am very happy with my run and I feel very humbled by winning the Grand Prix title.
“It is a fantastic series and I will definitely be back next year,” said Molotsane.
Conrad said she found the first half of the route quite easy, but the second half was tough.
“I felt the altitude a bit,” she said.

“I didn’t come in with fresh legs, because I am seven weeks into training for a marathon in November.
“Luckily, the others were quite far behind us so I was able to keep my third place,” she said.
“I am very proud to have finished third in the Grand Prix. It isn’t easy to stay on top in a six race series.”

Eighty-six year old Deirdre Larkin, who only started running in her late 70s, won the Great Grandmaster title in one hour 4.30 minutes.
More than 13 000 entered the race, which was run on a cool and overcast morning.