Modern Athlete Magazine Issue 114, January 2019 | Page 6
Have Your SAY
LETTERS
Got something on your mind that you want to share, a burning question you want answered, or a
good story to tell? Then send it to [email protected], and add a pic if you can. Letters
should preferably be no more than 300 words long, and pics must be high-resolution to be usable in
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SPOILT FOR CHOICE
EDITOR’S PICK
WHERE IS THE BLACK TALENT?
I so wish the black female South African contenders for the Comrades
Marathon can get much-needed support financially in their preparations for
the race. I’m yet to see an article where it gets reported that they are camping
in Kenya or other countries for a couple of months preparing for the Big C.
Nutrition and running apparel isn’t enough. Surely they can’t afford such trips,
and are in no position to take unpaid leave for that period of time. Yet so much
is expected from them on race day.
Visiting the Eastern Cape in December just made me realise...
We runners in the Western Cape are lucky to have at least two
races a week, not even to talk about the mid-week races! By
comparison, in the Eastern Cape there is a serious lack of races.
I really missed my racing weekends while I was away. – Cheryl
Louise Green, Cape Town
Those of us living in the major urban centres definitely
have far more events to participate in, but we also have
the problem of events clashing, thus forcing us to choose
between great races when we would like to
run them all! Pro’s and cons,
as they say. – Ed.
RACE CALE
NDAR
Powell Drive, near Stellenbosch,
8:30am, 8:40am & 8:42am Ugene Nel
082 658 3078
Friday 25 January
Top Gear Nite Race 10km & 5km,
Top Gear Sports Shop, Hibernia Street,
I therefore think it is up to the
athletes to decide whether
they want to pursue the
Comrades path, or to stick to
shorter standard distances...
and I think we need to respect
their choice if they do opt
for the standard option.
After all, the most lucrative
international events are nearly
all standard distances up
to the marathon, not ultra-
marathons, and I would ideally
like to see our top athletes
doing well on the world stage,
not just in one event on the SA
calendar. – Ed.
6
ISSUE 114 JANUARY 2019 / www.modernathlete.co.za
FAR NORTH
LIMPOPO
George, 6pm, Sidwell Oktober
078 395 8489
Saturday 19 January
Thornhill Seeff
& Spar 3-in-1 Half
Marathon, 10km
WESTERN PROVINCE
& 5km, Thornhill
Shopping Centre,
Shelley Drive,
Polokwane, 6:30am,
Saturday 5 January
Corrie Calitz
072 149 2674
Stragglers Beachcomber 15km &
4km PLUS 10km Walk, Strandfontein
Sunday 20 January
Saturda
y 5 January
MPUMALANGA
Pavilion, Strandfontein Road, 6:30am
Cape Summer Trail Series #2 13.4km
Runstac
Kearsney Striders
les 10km
6:45am, Allen Barnes
Half
& 7:30am PLUS
& 6.3km, Lebanon Forest, Grabouw,
& 4km,
10km, KwaZulu-Natal, Marathon &
Ostrich
Cape Town
Ranch,
Saturday 19 January
20 January
083 858 5857
7:30am & 8:05am, Wildrunner Events
off N7, Philadelp Van Schoorsdrif
Eskom
021 821 9898 (w)
Anglo Power Run
hia, Western Road,
Sunday 13 January
Cape Summer
3-in-1
8:30am,
Trail Series
32km, Half Marathon,
Cape,
The Grind
12km
30km & 15km,
Bay
10km & 5km,
NutriBullet Bay to #3
HQ 021
& 6.2km, Meerendal
Dirtopia Ride & Run 10km Trail Run,
Saturda
813 9282
Eskom
Wine Estate, Bay (30) & Hout
Saturda
y 26 January Park, Witbank, 6am, Jafta
on
y 26 January
(w)
Cove, Camps
Pearce Street, Berea,
Maiden’s
Durbanville,
Dirtopia Trail Centre, Delvera Farm,
7:30pm & 7:50pm,
Ottosda
5:45pm,
Mahlangu
Gajiga
Sharon
072 213 9594
l Nite Maratho
Run 5km,
Harbour (15), 5:30am (30) & 7:30am
Eldridge 083 284
Wildrunner Bay
R44 between Stellenbosch & Klapmuts,
Events 021 821
3781
Maratho
(Inflatab
Big Red
n, Half
Kleine Kuppe,
9898
(w) 7130 (w) Saturday 12 January
le obstacle
n, 10km Wednesday
511
(15), Top Events 021
Barn, 7
8:30am, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (w)
23 January
6am, Info:
s),
Nelson
Saturday 19 January
Show Grounds & 5km, Ottosda
Olifantsf
farmwhk
Gesinsfees 18km
Road,
Middelburg Ferrocrome
ontein,
fitness@
l
& 12km Trail Run,
, 4:30pm
Centurio
East
Tuesday 15 January
(42),
Nite
gmail.co
London
Wednesday 16 January
10km
(5),
Time
Eye
6:30pm
Jacobsdal Golf Course,
Hospital 10km
n, Gauteng
Ehlanze
5:30pm
m
TBC, More
Kees
(21) & & 5km,
Taljaard Stadium,
&
ni Champs
Sarel Cilliers
,
& 5km, Beacon Bay
Cape Summer Trail Series #1 10km
6:40pm
Naude
info: www.ga
Jordan Full Moon Run 10km & 5km,
Street, Jacobsdal,
, Triathlon
Country Club, 073 526 Middelburg, (10),
Standar
GI Joe
Willa
jiga.co.z
7pm,
6:45am, More info:
d 1.5km/4
4563
James Faber
:
Beaconhurst Drive,
5.8km, Kirstenbosch Botanical Gardens,
Charity
a
Jordan Wine Estate, Stellenbosch
0km/10k
East London, 6:30am,
www.entryninja.co
Clash 12km
750m/20
082 443 4193
Tikwe River
m, Sprint
Thursday 3 Rhodes
m
km/5km
Graham Reynolds
Avenue, Bishopscourt, Cape
January
& 6km,
Kloof Road, Vottenberg, off M12 near
,
Lodge,
Super
082 448 NORTH
WEST NORTH
400m/10
0727
112 Highland
Sprint
Avenue,
Rocky
Events 19 January
km/2.5k
Saturday 26 January
& 7:21pm, Wildrunner Saturday
7pm 15km,
Town, Run
Virginia.
Stellenbosch, 7pm & 7:10pm, More info: Bay Trail
Sunday
m, Duathlon
s
Sunday 27 January
10km
Standar
Free State,
27 January
& 5km, Rocky
Race Office
AEL Mielie Marathon,
d 10km/40
:
Volksrust 5-in-1
9898 (w)
821
021
No races
Bay
Resort,
Time TBC,
www.entryninja.com
Gauteng
Marathon,
Half Marathon,
Old Main
Bridle Drift Half
057 212
January
km/5km
5km/20k
32km, Urban
Road, Rynie Park,
Marathon & 5km, scheduled
NutriBullet Bay to Bay 30km & 15km, Western Province, 13
3306
, Sprint
10km & 5km, HTS
Half
m/2.5km
race calendar
Sprint #1,
in Marathon,
6am, 19 Shane
Sunday
Sports
10km
terrific
this
College,
Sisa
a
,
January
&
Grounds,
Gouldie
Dukashe
Super
Saturday
4km,
period
with
2.5km/1
Volksrust
27 January
Friday 25 January
St Johns
Stadium, Mdantsane,
St David
082 332 9552
Sprint
Volks Road, Welkom,
High School, cnr
for the
0km/1.5
are blessed
Road, Houghto
Obstacl
Adelaide Johanne
5:30am, Philip
5:30am, Alex Kambule
km, Kids
Hohenort 15km, Alphen Centre,
Tambo Str
1km/5km
runners really
e Wars
Spier Twilight Trail Run 10km, 5km
out these events running
sburg,
(9-11)
074 139 0550
McLaren 082 452
& Govan Mbeki Drive,
n,
#1 4km,
/750m &
Sunday 6 January
South African
Vian Road,
to do so check
4569
Wimberl 6am, Time TBC, RACO:
Sunday 20 January
Volksrust,
Winston
Constantia Main Road, Constantia,
Nippers
VAAL TRIANGLE NORTH
750m/3k
& 3km, Spier Wine Farm, on R310
as well as other
great races
ey 082
Gillits, KwaZulu
Park,
(5-8)
Alwyn Strydom 081
Paul
m/500km
550 7793
Kenneth
and trail runs
More info:
with so many
Friday 25 January
083 280 9798
401 2361
EASTERN PROVINCE GRIQUALAND
Fresh @ Wolwespruit Trail Run
6am, Jerome
, Longme
COTTRELL
-Natal,
Castle Merton
Baden Powell Drive, near Stellenbosch, Stainbank
White River,
Monday
Trail 15km,
including road
www.en
8am,
re Dam,
– BY TOM
WEST
10km & 5km, Kenneth
tryninja.
28 January
Mpumal
Standard Bank
Wednesday 30
coming month
17km, 12km & 5km, Wolwespruit Park,
racing plans!
No Race Scheduled
com
6:30pm, 6:40pm & 6:42pm, Ugene Nel
Field 082
anga, 7am,
TrailrunSeries –
Stainbank
January Gauteng
23 January
Wednesday
make your
442 5833
Nature Reserve,
Taryn
Schools
Defensor
Van Wetten’s Nite
Saturday 5 January Saturday 19
Jochemus Street, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria,
Durban, 7am, Luyt
disciplines and
082 658 3078
League
10km Helpmek
Nite 15km, Aurora Naval Hill 6km, Naval Hill
7:30am
January
JointEeze Dan
& 4km, aar
Saturda
Sprint #1,
& 7:45am, Lauren
Finlime
FALCONER
Mbombela Stadium,
Madiba Statue, Bloemfontein,
9564
The First Choice
Kollege
y 19 January
7am, Eloff Hoffman 083 399 January
Booth
082 791
AND SEAN
Race 15km & Flat
Nelspruit,
Street,
Road & 6pm,
Hoërsko
One
Patterson
9
Spar,
7069 Durbanville,
6pm,
Saturday 19 January
North West
Maratho 6km, Maratho
Melle Street,
ol, Empire
Wednesday
Race n,
www.trailrunseries
Victory Christian
Organiser
Trail Run 10km
Sunday 13 January
Half
082 801 Johanne
Triathlo
School, Jeffreys n, 10km &
.co.za
Run
Braamfo
6:30pm, Albie de Waal 084 584 4112
3600
TrailAdventure Tiger Trail
ure Rietvlei
Trail ten bate van Wielie Walie
Bay,
n League
1.5km/4
5km, Lime
sburg, Time
ntein,
6:30am & 7am, Corrie Recreational
TrailAdvent
0km/10k
Ronnie
BOLAND
Acres
Gardens, Pretoria,
Rooies 10km
Saturday 26 January
Coetzee
Club, Central
& 5km, Tierpoort
TBC, GSL:
m, 750m/20 , Tri:
21km, 15km, 10km
Speelskool 10km & 6km, Raka Wine Davel Memorial
& 4.9km Chambe
& 400m/10
Acres, 6am,
26 January
& 5km,
Nite Race,
rs 083
Saturday 16km
073 905 2231
& 5km, Botanical
9582
Karen
Avenue,
km/5km
HTS 474-946
Laddsworth
km/2.5k
Middelburg
Legacy
Loyd Makie
Street, 082 332
No Races
Rooikat Gouldie
Lime Field,
Adventure Farm,
Rugby
3
Estate, near Stanford on R326, 8am & Primary
m, Vaal
Club, Orkney,
Hilton,
Marathon, Runclean Series #2 – Leon Botha 4km,
Red Hill
STBB School,
7pm, Theuns
7pm, Shane
schedu
082 906
River Boat
7am, John Holliday
Sunday 13 January
Saturday 12 January
Luus 083
Tempe
led in this
4304
Shane
630
082
Tierpoort, Pretoria East, 7am,
8:15am, Info: www.entryninja.com
8729
Silverglades Sports Stadium, Bloemfontein, 10am,
NORTH
8am, Yolanda North West Province
5km, 6749
& 806
36km
period
12 January
WEST
N2 City Bluewater
Half Resolution Trail Run 15km, 12.5km,
,
Kruger
332 9582
Table Mountain Complex, Nelson Road, Fish [email protected].
Gouldie 082 Saturday
Hoek,
Bay Challenge CAPE
za
Eersterust
082 787
Trail Run 19km,
Sunday
15km
5496
& 5km, Dirtopia Trail Centre,
Athletic Club
7.5km
GAUTENG
&
5km,
Eesterust
12km & 7km, Mcoseleli
N2 City No
20 January
SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS
CENTRAL
Complex,
(42 & 36) & 7am (5), Marieta
5:30am Secondary
races schedu
January 10km & 5km,
Wednesday 23
Trinity
Bluewater Bay, 6am
Farm, on R44 between
&
Marathon,
Delvera
School, Table Mountain,
Series
& 6:30am, Colin led in this
cnr St Joseph
073 470 4444
Stevens 7am,
Germist
Night of the Stars
TrailAdventure
7:30am &
period
Parkins 083 651
inc CGT
& Klapmuts, 7am, 7:15am,
West,
Soccer Stadium,
January
on, #2
THANK
CENTRAL
7:45am, Lauren
Pretoria Stellenbosch
3836
Saturday 5 January
Triathlo
NORTH WEST
Saturday 5
Lawns,
West,
Booth 082 791 30 7069
S,
Café,
The Clay
Sunday
& 5km,
n Champs
Trail Run 10km
Coverdale
January BORDER
15km, Library
Wednesday
Tri:
Hans
7:30am & 7:45am, Dirtopia
Roewyn
13
Standar
&
Kudus
TOM
12km
(5),
18km,
January
,
Saturday 19 January
Red Men Trail Run
Varsity
Yale
d 1.5km/4
&
& 6:15am
Sunday 20 January
SA
7 Nelson
& 10) Road,
The Big Red Barn,
East Campus,
Brackenfell 10km & 5km, Brackenfell
Sprint &
0km/10k
6am (21
021 884 4752 (w)
Montagu
Saturday 19 January Triathlon Sprint
NEDBA
Galaxy Grill Two
5km, Herold Wine Farm, off Kearsney
Para 750m/20
Wits University
m,
Grant
2923
Views Challenge
Champs
Gouldie
State Paratri
NK
082 804
7pm, Shane
6:40pm &
n, 6:30am,
Olifantsfontein, Danster
Striders
Rogland Street,
School,
High
Juniors
Half
& Free
Juan Botes
Bert’s Bricks Great
Marathon
Friday 11 January
10km & 5km, Moffett
Pass, north of George, 8am,
Invitatio
Mini 400m/10 km/5km,
&
Road, Braamfontei
Spier Trail Run 10km, 5km & 3km,
10km, Kearsney
Brick Run Half
This Race
Run 10km,
On Main Centre,
750m/20
nal, Sprint
6843
082 332 9582
Visser 072 222
Leon
6:50pm, Old
443 5010
College,
Kids 200m/5k
Tails River
km/2.5k
NAMIBI
km/5km,
Marathon, 10km
Martin Road, Walmer,
PwC Nite 10km,
Main
071 648 7147
Hayward 084
Adventure
10, 5 Wine Farm, on R310 Baden
m,
A
6 JANUARY
in Spier
& 5km,
Old Selbornian Club,
Road, Botha’s Hill,
6am, Eusentha
m/1km,
Olen Park Various starts
8:30am
Calenda
(Dogs allowed
6am, Jennifer Rigby
– WAS SUNDAY
Ones 75m/2.5
Young
to 9:45am,
Rugby Stadium,
Pillay 084 665 0910
r has
from
Saturday 26 January
NEW DATE
5km & 2km,
Potchefstroom,
083 531 9417
Jan Smuts
Maselsp
km/500m
Bloemfo
been compile
oort, north
Standar
Saturda
6:30am, Chantelle
ntein, 9am,
3-in-1 Irene River,
, Du:
Wonderpark Akasia
& 2), Smuts
d 10km/40
y 12 January
of
d
Pat 073 466 9158
7am, Glizelle
Run
Christa
Resolution Trail Run, Boland, 13 January
Friday 12 January
with the
km/5km
Wednesday 23
Centurion,
Trail Night
073 718
Warthog
& Para
Alley Roads
&
Irene, 10km
Marathon,
Marathon, Half Road,
January
, Sprint
help
ure Kyalami
5427
5km/20k
Run
Half
Tri Series
TrailAdvent
Midrand,
m/2.5km
264 3931
of Tom
Imperial Nissan
PLUS 10km Half Maratho
Mini 2.5km/1
Olympic
Dis-Chem 5km, Wonderpark
Center,
author and
Shopping 083
, Juniors
#4 Triathlo
Crusaders Running
Kyalami Estate,
Cottrell,
Langerman
1.5km/4
Central
Walk, Otjihase n & 10km
0km/1.2
10km & 5km,
publisher
n,
Club 6km Night
332 9552
Windhoe
Marathon, Heinrich Street, Akasia, 5:30am, Danie
5km, Kids
1.25km/
Sprint 750m/20 0km/10km,
Nedbank
Fun Run, Collegians
of the
Gouldie 082
January
Road, near
k Airport,
5km/500
13 January
7pm, Shane
Sunday 13
Runner
Run 21km,
km/5km
Bowling Club, Blue
m, Young
6am (run)
Gauteng,
(walk),
500m/2.
400m/10
, Youth
’s Guide
Lagoon, Durban,
Badenhorst 082 458 8495 ure Smuts Trail
Charles
Road and
Ones
5km/500
km/2.5k
River,
+264 (0)81 & 6:30am
to
TrailAdvent
January
6pm, Ward Events
m, Ekurhule
m & Sub-You
Off-roa
Smuts Irene
Municipa
200m/5k
Gail
Sunday 13
&
082 492 1995
124 9471
& 5km,
Saturda
d Races
South Africa
ni
m/1.25k
12km
l Park, Germist
th
20km,
7am,
7pm & 7:10pm,
Tierpoort Trail Challenge
15km, 10km
y 26 January
Half Marathon
in
m, Midmar
Howick,
Gauteng
Dis-Chem
Kempton Park,
. Now in
Irene, Centurion,
on Lake,
Sunday 27 January
Bedfordview
Sunrise
Dam,
edition,
Time TBC,
, Times
Farm,
Smuts Road,
its 28 th
Adventure
082 859 0801 & 5km, Tierpoort Jan
w 5km Dash,
Fun Run
TBC, More
the Runner
Triathlon
332 9582
Road
074 187
Bedfordvie
info@trin
Elliot-Wilson
January
082
PDAC
16km
25
Windhoe
Buuren
25km,
Trail
Info:
Plus
Friday
Watercrest Mall, Waterfall,
’s Guide
7140
& 8km,
itysports
essentia
Pretoria East,
Night
Club, Van
Shane Gouldie
Rooikat Street, Tierpoort,
k Trails,
Farm
.co.za
is an
l compan
ure Serengeti
Virgin Active
Otjivero
to Lahee Park, Anderson
, 6am & 6:15am,
Mopani
ion
Alley Roads
TrailAdvent
Street,
Trail Hunter
Serengeti
racer in
16 January
NORTH
Road, Pinetown,
7am, 7:05am & 7:10am,
Loweve
SA, providin for every
Entrance, Bedfordview 4843
Wednesday
10km & 5km,
GAUTENG
Tri Series
5am, Greg Patterson
#3 10km
ld Triathlo
Park,
& Duathlo
Run 15km,
Aquathl
Trail Race
061 069 7384
083 453
g valuable
info includin
Events 063 686 7315
n
on, 1km/5km #5 Swim/Run
n Challen
Estate, Kempton
Old
Charn Swart
Zwartkop Nite
Club,
Wildlife
&
58
g
ge inc
Golf
Ushaka
Country
& 500m/2.
Gilboa Challenge
332 9552
January
Zwartkop
times, route venues, start
ISSUE 114
Beachfro
Trail
15km, 10km & 4km,
6pm,
Cowhouse
16 January
Gouldie 082
5km,
& 5km,
Tuesday 1
Seasons at the
Four
Pretoria
nt, Durban,
JANUAR
7pm, Shane
Wednesday
descript
Triathlon
Bushwillow, Karkloof,
rg Road, Centurion,
11km & 5km,
and Dal Night
Y 2019
Time TBC,
everything
ions and
Plus 074
7am, 7:30am &
10km, 5km & 2.5km, 004 0915 (w)
Avenue,
New Year’s
Hyper Berg
15km, Johannesbu
Run Series
/ www.m
187 7140
January
cnr of
President
2 Cussonia
else you
7:45am, Lauren
5km
Events 012
odernat
Saturday 26
Booth 082 791 7069
may want
President Hyper,
know about
Ridge Road, Pretoria
Botanical Gardens, Du Toit
Run 10km,
hlete.co
,
Cowhouse Market, BoutTime
15km & 5km,
Tails Park
Night Run
to
.za
Daan
a race.
Adventure
Streets, Krugersdorp
5 & 2),
Rietvlei Trail
Thursday 31 January
8588
ure
083 669
Pretoria, 7am,
East, 5pm, Evelyn Botha
allowed in 10,
Market & Pretoria
TrailAdvent
Dam, Pretoria,
& 2km, (Dogs
Sharlene Gagiano
Twilight Run 6km
082 572 4169
Kenmuir Street,
& 5km, Rietvlei
with Funky Pants,
7pm & 7:10pm,
Farm, 168
Bert’s Bricks Great
Sunday 27 January 10km
332 9582
7am,
The Parks
King Fisher Canoe
Brick
Gouldie 082
January
Shane
Estates, Benoni,
Club, Blue Lagoon,
Run Half Marathon,
082 512 9640
7pm,
Series
Trail
Barn
Saturday 5
TrailAdventure
Safety Half
Norton’s Home
Durban, 5:40pm,
Central
4 All Road
083 264 3931
www.funkypants.c
North West, 19
January
19 January
& 5km, The
A4 Aerobics
15km, 10km Saturday
21km,
o.za
January
Centurion
Glizelle Langerman
Thursday 17
Trail Run
Half Marathon,
10km & 5km,
Killarney Night
Marathon,
Big Red Barn, rg 7 Nelson
George Claasen Hyper, cnr
Decathlon
PwC Road,
January
5km,
cnr Old Johannesbu
Pay
Sunday 27
#1 10km &
Half
Shane & Gouldie
7am, 10km
5km, Pick n
Lifestyle Centre,
Olifantsfontein,
Marathon,
Centurion,
Summer Series
5th Street,
South Roads,
Johnson Crane
& Selikats Causeway,
Course, 60
Sahara Park,
5326
9582
& Lenchen
082 332 627
Killarney Golf
Atterbury Road
rg, 7pm,
10km & 5km,
(21 & 10)
Lehomo 083
Marathon,
Johannesbu
Benoni,
Pretoria, 6am
6:30am, Matome
start
Harpur Avenue,
Houghton Estate,
Faerie Glen,
Wednesday 30 January
ado.co.za
Willowmore,
678 2140
– 21 & 10 walkers
Barn Run 15km,
sean@wann
(5)
072
Tails
info:
More
& 6:15am
Organiser
Trail Run
Adventure
TrailAdventure
082 649 4506
57
allowed in Owl Night
6am, Race
Bert van Raad
Run
& 2km, (Dogs
5:30am,
Club,
Irene Country
Nelson
10km, 5km
10km
Summer Trail
Friday 18 January
Barn, & 7 5km,
Night Trail
Run
Shift Wellness
The Big Red MI8, Doornkloof, Centurion, 7pm,
ure Dainfern
Tails Tiger
Walter Sisulu
1
10, 5 & 2),
TrailAdvent
Adventure
Golf and
7am, Glizelle
& 2km,
8km & 5km,
in,
5km
Dainfern
13km,
Road,
, 10km,
& 5km,
9582
Malcolm
Shane Gouldie 082 332
Road, Olifantsfonte 3931
Run 10km
21km,15km
7pm,
Tierpoort
Botanical Gardens,
083 264
in 10, 5 & 2),
Estate, Midrand,
, 7am, Jacqui
Langerman
Residential
(Dogs allowed
Roodepoort
55
Street,
Poortview,
082 332 9552
Farm, Rooikat
907 0063
Shane Gouldie
Adventure
Glizelle
Sunday 6 January
East, 7am,
Purchase 061
Trail Run
ure Rietvlei
Tierpoort, Pretoria 3931
January
TrailAdvent
30 January
Pretoria,
Sunday 20
Veritas
083 264
Wednesday
Nite
Rietvlei Dam,
15km & 5km,
Langerman
Centre Neon
10km & 5km,
Road,
Garbie 32km,
332 9582
Arwyp Medical
School, Nestor
Gouldie 082
6am, Shane
Barnard Stadium,
College Senior
(32 & 15) &
15km & 5km,
Road,
Springs, 6am
Swart & Plane
Pollak Park,
Der Walt
Between CR
Lelani Van
6:15am (5),
Saturday 19 January
Run The Vines #11 Trail Run 17km,
10km & 5km, Doolhof Wine Estate,
Bovlei Road, near Wellington, 7:30am,
8am & 8:15am, Lans Pepler
OBSTAC
LE
COURSE
RAC
082 787 2472
2019
FREE STATE
KWAZULU-NATAL
ORIENTE
ERING
NORTHE
RN CAP
E
ADVENT
URE
RACING
WESTERN CAPE
54
ISSUE 114
NEIGHBO
COUNTR URING
IES
073 561 4912
TRIATHL
ON &
DUATHL
NORTH WEST
ON
JANUARY
ES
Great Sta rt!
Off to a
AR
RACE CALEND
EASTERN CAPE
I understand your wish to see more black female runners featuring amongst
the Comrades elites, but my perception is that most of the current top
black female athletes in SA choose to focus on the shorter distances, only
stepping up to the marathon distance later in their careers. On the other
hand, I know that many of the pro/corporate teams in SA put a lot of store in
their Comrades results, given the coverage the event enjoys, and thus these
teams are undoubtedly pushing for more of their top runners to move up to
Comrades if they are seen as
contenders for a gold medal.
Saturda
y 26 – Sunday
Kaia Manzi
27 January
Rugged
Triathlo
Off Road
n #1, Saturda
400m/12
y: Kids
km/5km
, 200m/6k
75m/2.5
m/2km,
km/1km
& 50m/1.2
Sunday:
5km/500
Long Distance
m,
1.5km/2
6km/10k
m, Kaia
Bronkho
Manzi
rstspruit
Dam, 6:45am, Resort,
BoutTim
e Events
012 004
0915 (w)
Sunday
27 January
Standar
d Bank
IRONMA
Africa,
N 70.3
1.9km/9
South
0km/21.
City, Border,
1km.
6am, Ironman Buffalo
041 581
SA
7990 (w)
Cassies 15km &
5km, Kabega Park
Primary School, Old
Cape Road, Kabega
Park, 6am, Jan van
Eeden 083 276 7483
GAUTENG
With all the perception about their talent, not enough financial support and
stuff, I understand how it’s so difficult for them to navigate their way to the top.
I hope they get the strength to overcome all the barriers, and the myths about
them. I’m hoping for a good Samaritan to give them the necessary support
and nurturing from the grassroots level, so they can achieve top performances
in the Comrades and beyond. – Sbusiso Msane, via Facebook
Standa
rd Bank
IRONM
Africa,
AN 70.3
Triathlo
n, 27 January
South
RACE CALENDAR
Saturday 26 January
RACE CALENDAR
.za
JANUARY 2019
rnathlete.co
/ www.mode
WAY TOO EXPENSIVE
I feel that a lot of clubs are starting to see races as a money-
making opportunity. There is a particular race in January 2019
that has increased its entry fee by more than 30% from last
year! The only way we can make these clubs understand that it
is not okay to charge so much is to not run those races. Yes, it
costs money to host races, and it also costs money to manage
a club, but a reasonable entry fee and sponsorship should cover
the costs. Charging R230 plus all the transaction fees plus an
admin fee is crazy.
Everyone, be it individuals, clubs, companies, etc. is entitled to
make a profit, but you can also abuse the process. So I think
CGA should set standard prices: 10km – R80 to R100, 15km –
R90 to R120, 21.1km – R120 to R160, etc. Last year Rockies
charged R150 for its 21km, and I felt that was fair, while the
Pick n Pay 21km was R180, which was already on the steep
side, but still palatable. This year it’s R210. As a family of three,
that’s R630 plus credit card fees, plus the admin fee, plus petrol,
plus paying for parking... Well, now you are at R700 to R750.
Whereas for a few bucks we can join a club run and still have a
whale of a time.
Therefore, as a family we have made a decision that any race,
particularly a 21km, that costs more than R180 per person will
not get our entries. Have they considered the cost implications
for many of our fellow runners that cannot afford to run these
“prestigious” races? These costs have made me think twice,
My apologies to those who think I’m playing the race card, but my dream is
to see these athletes rising above the obstacles and being counted in the
Comrades top 10. It just shows how far black female athletes still lag behind
in terms of support as compared to their male counterparts. Sponsors must
show up for them as well. It’s about time playing fields get levelled in that
aspect.