Nedbank running club’s Nare in race for title on Saturday

The 2024 Spar Grand Prix series moves to Gqeberha this Saturday and Nedbank running club’s Tadu Nare will be out in action looking for a victory, but it won’t be as easy as it has been in previous editions with the Ethiopian superstar who is also the defending champion of the series after suffering defeat in the Tshwane leg of this year’s series.

It was in Tshwane that South Africa’s Glenrose Xaba put just over 2 minutes on Nare over the final 3 km of the race to become the victor. Nare finished 2nd however had been ill for the race. “The day before I started to feel sick and my stomach was giving me problems,” said Nare. “If it was any other race, I would not have started but because the Spar series are so important to me, I tried my best to run.” Nare has since recovered but now the telling factor will be if she has recovered enough from her R1 million victory at last week’s Mpumalanga Marathon. Nare was a clear winner in the race and although she did not push 100%, the marathon effort may still be in her legs come Saturday.

Also joining Nare in Gqeberha will be Nedbank running club teammate, Diniya Abaraya. The young Ethiopian has, like Nare, started her international running career on the roads of South Africa, She finished 2nd behind Xaba in the Cape Town leg of the series and is a young athlete who is always improving. “We have a very strong development program in the Nedbank running club that focuses not only on our runners here in South Africa, but also a very strong group in Ethiopia under the watchful eyes of Belay Hagos who also brought out Nare when she was just 16 and is now one of the worlds fastest female marathon runner ever,” says Nick Bester, National team manager of the Nedbank running club.

Also out in action will be 70+ world age group record setting superstar Margie Saunders.

The SPAR Grand Prix Gqeberha race will be Livestreamed from 06:50 on Saturday morning on the SPAR Grand Prix and Athletics South Africa Facebook pages.

Nedbank running club’s Tadu Nare makes a million

It took a shade over 2 hours and 37 minutes on Saturday morning on a stretch of road in Mpumalanga for Nedbank running club’s Tadu Nare to earn herself a first prize of R1 million as she was crowned winner of the inaugural Mpumalanga Marathon which put up the biggest ever prize money awarded to the winning male and female athlete across the line.

“I am really grateful to have won this race today and I want to thank the organizers for the generous prize money as well as my club Nedbank and all of our sponsors who enable me to perform at my best,” said Nare afterwards. Running together with Kenya’s Shelmith Muriuki in the beginning stages of the race, Nare made a break for it shortly before halfway and was unchallenged to the finish, crossing the line over 7 minutes ahead of the Kenyan who held on for 2nd.

“My tactic was to just run a pace that was comfortable so when I broke away just before halfway, I did not increase my pace,” said Nare. “I was just maintaining, and I felt comfortable throughout the race.” With a 2:17 marathon personal best, Nare was never under any pressure in what was to be one of her biggest ever pay days in what was essentially a long training run.

Jane Mudau also achieved a podium finish for the Nedbank running club where she took victory in the 60+ category and finished an amazing 11th overall in the ladies’ field. Gladys Jemeli Koech and Christine Stoppel-Grove finished 1st and 2nd in the 40+ category to paint the podium in Nedbank green.

In the men’s race, Nedbank running club’s Lucky Mohale made a break for it after 10km to try and chase down Lesotho’s Jobo Khatoane who made an early break just after the 10km mark. Mohale ran essentially alone and although he managed to close a minute over Khatoane over the final 5km, the Lesotho athlete had built up a 3-minute lead at one stage and there was no road left to cover. Mohale finished a well-deserved 2nf to bag R150 000 with Nedbank running club teammate Samuel Kalalei finishing a close 3rd just behind.

It was a sea of green in the men’s top positions with Samuel Kalalei, Matheus Jesaya and Asefa Negweo finishing in 3rd, 5th and 6th positions respectively. Negewo was the fastest man in the field with a 2:04 marathon, but the hilly conditions of the course did not suit the fast Ethiopian who performs better on flatter courses. “This is one of the toughest marathon courses I have ever witnessed,” said Nedbank running club national team manager Nick Bester. “The first half there was some serious climbs and although there was a nice downhill to the finish, the finishing times should not say they ran slow because the times are quite quick for the nature of the course.”

With an even bigger and better race planned for 2025, the Mpumalanga Marathon is set to catch the eyes of some of the best marathoners in the world all eyeing for that R1 million first prize.

CMA ready to pay prize money to #Comrades2024 winners following Negative Doping Test Results

The Comrades Marathon Association (CMA) is pleased to announce that the prize money for the top 10 finishers and other category winners of the 2024 Comrades Marathon will be distributed following the confirmation of negative doping test results.

The South African Institute for Drug-Free Sport (SAIDS) has verified that all tested athletes have returned negative results, ensuring the integrity of this year’s 49th Comrades Up Run.

CMA Acting Race & Operations Manager, Alain Dalais, has expressed his satisfaction with the outcome, saying, “We are delighted to confirm that all our top athletes have been cleared by SAIDS. This reaffirms our commitment to fair play and maintaining the highest standards in the sport of ultra-road running. We congratulate all the winners on their outstanding performances and their dedication to clean competition.”

The 2024 Comrades Marathon Up Run saw remarkable achievements, with Nedbank Running Club’s Piet Wiersma winning the Men’s race in a time of 5:25:00, and Phantane Athletics Club’s Gerda Steyn setting a new Women’s Best Time of 5:49:46.

The total Comrades Marathon prize purse of nearly R4.7-million in addition to the Cell C top up and other prize money of R2-million, will be distributed among the top 10 male and female finishers as well as winners of other age category and team prizes, recognizing their exceptional efforts and sportsmanship.

The CMA extends its gratitude to all participants, supporters, and sponsors for their unwavering support and commitment to the success of the Comrades Marathon.

Recover like a PRO

Medi-Aktiv
Whether a runner, cyclist, triathlete, the Medi-Aktiv inflatable compression boots ensure maximum peak recovery, enabling athletes to recover faster and stronger post exercise, thus allowing for a more effective and quality training programme.

Using the latest in technology, Medi-Aktiv inflatable compression boots aid in boosting, repairing and restoring circulation to the lower limbs while removing toxins and inflammation from the body, all while you sit in the comfort of your home or office.

THE BENEFITS

Helps to remove toxins such as lactic acid.
Reduces inflammation and fluid collection.
Relieves conditions such as heaviness in the legs.
Reduced DOMS (Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness)
Reduced muscle recovery time.
Improved circulation for the removal of lactic acid.
Improved movement due to the decrease in decrease in inflammation.

For more information contact Kerry Matthysen - kmacpharma@gmail.com

The LifeWave X39 patch is clinically proven to provide the body with a level of health and vitality that you have not experienced since you were in your youth.

Using our patented form of phototherapy, LifeWave X39 patch elevates the peptide GHK-Cu which is known to decline with age.

When elevated, this peptide activates the body's stem cells, providing incredible
benefits, such as better wound healing, heightened energy, deeper sleep, rapid pain relief and even a reduction in the appearance of lines.

BENEFITS

Rapid pain relief
Reduced inflammation
Supports wound healing
Energy & vitality
Mental clarity
Enhances sports performance
Faster recovery from exercise
Improved skin appearance

Cape Gate Road Race - 5 October 2024

Wellington Half Marathon. RunnersGuide looks ahead