Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 101, December 2017 | Page 27

MEET THE SQUAD
Ann Ashworth
Since linking up with coach John Hamlett after the
2016 Comrades Marathon, Ann hit new heights earlier
this year when she equalled the course record at
the Buffs Marathon with a 2:37 finish, having gone
through halfway in 1:22. Unfortunately, an injury
ended her Comrades gold medal hopes, but 2018 will
see her return to The Ultimate Human Race with a
score to settle!
Mia van Heerden
As a newly appointed financial accountant at Investec
Private Bank, if there is something Mia knows, it is
numbers, and like all runs, times matter, even if it is
beating your own. Having only taken running seriously
for the past year, Mia got her Marathon PB down to
3:03 in Cape Town this September.
Enie Manzini
Katy Van Meter
Hailing from the East of Johannesburg, this mother
of two is not only a runner, she is a fire-fighter and an
advanced life support paramedic. Enie’s study and
work commitments have often curtailed her Comrades
Marathon training, but in spite of this, she ran a 7:36
Down Run in 2016. Hopefully 2018 holds a silver
medal.
Catherine Malungane
There is an air of determination about Catherine.
Spurred on by the support of her seven-year-old
son, this full-time athlete has big ambition. Having
represented Gauteng North over various distances,
Catherine has an impressive 1:19 half and 2:47
marathon to her name, and looks destined to add Two
Oceans and Comrades gold medals next.
Ramadimetja Lizzy Babili
Don’t let Lizzy’s infectious smile fool you, she is a determined and hardworking
runner. Having grown up running with her father and brother, Lizzy is now the
star of the family, and an inspiration to her two kids. She recently won the Vaal
Marathon, and with Two Oceans and Comrades victories on her agenda, the
confidence to achieve greatness goes with her on every single run.
While she may have been born in the USA, Katy was
raised in South Africa. She ran an impressive 2:55
at the Boston Marathon in May, and now the Old
Mutual Two Oceans Marathon beckons in 2018… and
possibly a Gold medal.
Vicky Hansen
Vicky claims the titles mother, personal trainer and
ultra-marathon runner. With a half marathon best
of 1:23 and marathon best of 2:56, she has the
credentials to be a top ultra-marathon challenger, and
having run 7:34 at Comrades this year, she is looking
forward to joining the silver medal club next in 2018.
Mapaseka Makhanya
Soweto is renowned as a hotbed of South African talent, and this includes
producing one of our best distance runners. Mapaseka took second place at
the South African Half Marathon Championships in 2017 and then represented
her country in the marathon at the IAAF World Championships in London. Most
recently she finished second in her hometown race, the Soweto Marathon. She
doesn’t only run, she also gives back and is a great role model in her community.
While Ultras are not yet on her radar, she will be a force to be reckoned with on
the running scene.
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