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Here at the Murray & Roberts Running Club , we are celebrating the fact that road running ( proper ) is back !
You can find more info on the Murray & Roberts Running Club via our Facebook page .
In Gauteng , the Alberton 10km was run on the first weekend of November and despite strict COVID-19 controls , it was a superb success and meant that almost 300 athletes , including 50 elites , had the chance to lace up their racing flats for the first time in almost eight months . As it was , it produced a great result for the ‘ black & yellow ,’ with three men in the top 10 and four women cracking the top 10 .
Murray & Roberts club manager Dana Coetzee says : “ The Alberton race was the first return of road running since COVID-19 closed down our sport . We are back on the road … literally and figuratively . The race was a barometer for the whole sport and controls were superb . If all the race organisers can operate like this , then we will be able to get the sport going again and keep it going . Race director Anton Ferreira and his team from the Alberton Athletic Club set the bar very high , and it should be something that all races will try to emulate .”
“ So , the men and women ’ s records on the fast route in Alberton were broken . Does that mean that the lack of racing translates into the elites that came being rested and really ready to race ? It ’ s an interesting debate , isn ’ t it ? It was clear from before the start that the athletes could not contain their enthusiasm for racing , and could not wait to start and tie one on . It ’ s also worth thinking about that the winner broke thirty minutes at medium altitude ( 29:45 ). That is impressive . Our own very talented Dylan van der Merwe secured the runner-up spot for the second year in a row in Alberton , in 30:20 , which translates to a 3:02 pace .”
Megan Dempster
Wandisile Nongodlwana
Wida de Klerk
Satisfied With The Results
Says Dylan : “ I loved racing again . I found great joy in being able to measure myself against the best in Gauteng , and it is my favourite distance to race at present . Just the vibe at the start and then grabbing second spot again for the second time in a row was a very enjoyable way to get back to racing . The route was a fast one , and judging by my time , the training is yielding the right results . That was my fastest time at altitude and it was so close to breaking the magical 30-minute mark .”
“ Do I think not racing for a while has helped ? Well , my legs felt fresh , I was eager to up the ante all the way , and it was just superb to have the racing aspect again . It ’ s what I live for , to be honest . During lockdown I changed coaches , and former marathon great , three-time Olympian and New York Marathon winner Hendrick Ramaala has been just unbelievable . He focuses on distance a lot , and this has without any doubt helped me immensely . The Ramaala group , who run Zoo Lake flat , includes several national champions . That means they ’ re speedy as well as inspirational , all at the same time . This is an aspect that I ’ ve not experienced before , and I am truly grateful for the opportunity .”
Third placer Philani Buthelezi said he could still feel the effects of the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon Virtual Run , which took place just three weeks earlier in Pretoria . “ I am grateful that I got an entry in a quality field , and that road running is now officially back . For me , I could still feel that the 42,2km race , where I finished third overall and virtually in 2:17 , was in my legs . My coach Lindsey Parry and I have big plans and I believe I can go a lot faster .”
Stick to the Rules
Looking ahead , Coetzee says : “ For me , the racing season in 2021 will be very interesting , depending on all the races that will already have been run in 2020 , so it is imperative that race organisers , runners , administrators , marshals and officials all strictly stick to what is now necessary by law . Our sport depends on it . So , from the whole Murray & Roberts team , this is actually a plea for everyone to ensure that we all operate within the requirements , so that we can all continue running , particularly in the new year .”
Dana concludes : “ The goody bag and the medal in Alberton were superb , and it was made even better by the fact that the AAC did not have an official sponsor for the race . They obviously do things right in that part of the world .”
So , start planning for those 2021 races … because , as Arnie said , “ I ’ ll be back .” So will road running .
Benedict Moeng
Danie van Tonder
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