Race Report - SA Cross Country Championships

What a beautiful day to run a race. Sunny and not a cloud in the air. It was awesome to see all the athletes of all the different provinces. We were about 10 athletes running for Mpumalanga in my starting block. Our race was the first race for the day on a track with unexpected challenges.

The course was the full-monty of cross-country - hills, sand traps, dust and even a water trap. The race consisted of a 2 km lap, resulting in 4 laps for us doing 8 km. After 3 laps I wanted to die, the altitude in Potchefstoom is something that needs to be taken into consideration, I could not breathe and getting air into my lungs was nearly a impossible task. 

The highlight of the day was seeing Zola Budd destroy her field and younger, she ran in the category 30-59. She is in a league of her own, and as a fellow runner and supporter you can only stand in awe of her. 

Elroy Gelant won the senior race in both the 12km and 4km, with a 45min break between the two races. Our juniors did well in each of their categories, our club and province can stand proud. It was fun watching such young talent perform at such a high level. It was a well organized day, a big thank you to ASA.

Thanks to everyone for the support.

Fanie Bekker

2013 SA Cross Country Results

Upcoming Events - York Adventure Challenge Trail Run (14 September) and York Sabie Shufflers Forest Run (21 September)

Our team has been very hard at work for the last 4 months to design and build arguably the most spectacular mountain bike and trail running trails the Lowveld has ever seen!  York Timbers, one of the biggest landowners in the Sabie and surrounding area, will be giving you the opportunity to become a member of the York Adventure Club, with the aim to create a safe and controlled environment for cycling and running.  Please join us in Sabie for the weekend of 13 - 15 September to celebrate the Grand Opening in style! We have invited 20 of South Africa's top Mountain Bike Riders to race in the first "York Enduro Mountain Bike Rally" which includes a  Downhill Race (DHI) on Friday, a breath taking Enduro Race on Saturday and an exhibition (Professionals only) Short Course Cross Country (XC) race on Sunday! YOU are invited to participate in the 40km York Adventure Challenge and 19km York Adventure Ride mountain bike races on Sunday 15 September.  You are, of course, also invited to watch our country's top riders tear down the mountains on some of the 20 KILOMETERS worth of dedicated downhill single track sections on the Friday and Saturday! There will also be a 12km Trail Run on Saturday 14 September from The Sabie Country Club at 8:00 open to the public!

Weekend Programme: Friday - 13 September Pro's and Corporate Teams to ride the Downhill and XC course (Spectator friendly!) DHI Seeding runs from 13:30 and finals from 15:45    Saturday - 14 September 07:30 Pro's and Corporate Teams participate in the Enduro event (Spectator friendly!) 08:00 York Adventure Trail Running event - 12km Only (Open to Public) - Start/Finish at Sabie Country Club    Sunday - 15 September 07:00 York Adventure Challenge 40km and 19km (Open to Public) - Start/Finish at Sabie Country Club 11:30 Exhibition XCO lap race on Sabie Golf Course (Invited Pro Riders only)

York Adventure Challenge Mountain Bike & Trail Run

14 September 2013 TRAIL RUN: 12km Start Sabie Country Club at 8:00 Saturday Morning. ENTER HERE 15 September 2013 MTB: 40km York Adventure Challenge Start 7:30 Sabie Country Club         19km York Adventure Ride Start 8:00 Sabie Country Club         Exciting School Team Challenge Start 07:30 Sabie Country Club         (For more info and entry form, contact adventure@york.co.za) Sunday promises to be a great family day out and once you have finished your ride, you will have the unique opportunity to watch SA's top riders in a XC lap race on the Sabie Golf Course, with live entertainment and kids play area!  Registration opens at 05h30.

ENTER HERE

York Sabie Shufflers Forest Run	21 September 2013 This year is the 33rd Sabie Shufflers Race and once again the distances will be a 4.9km, 10km, 21.1km and 32km Forest Run.  Please contact us on forestrun@york.co.za should you require a manual entry form to be sent to you.
ENTER HERE

Race Report - Nedbank Om Die Dammetjie 2013

Another Nedbank LVCC race done and dusted! (Literally) Although our race numbers were adversely affected by other events being held in town we had a truly great day.

Nedbank went all out and the branding of the race was superb. The weather was spectacular and the compliments received were genuinely positive and given by runners from Jo’burg, Mozambique, Swaziland, Free State and of course our stalwart locals. 

We were privileged enough to host a team from Supersport who enthusiastically gave us some great post- race PR. Thanks guys!

We would truly like to thank the following in particular:

• Nedbank for their best ever support of our beautiful race. In sponsorship, branding and support. Special thanks to ZAZI for your enthusiasm and Jaqui and her team from sports marketing
• DWA and Komatiland for the location and facilities
• Lauren and her team from Powerade who really pulled out all the stops on this one!
• Sven Musica – Phonix Media House
• Moses and Euan for their invaluable “movable” assets!
• The water points of Sportsmans Warehouse (Syndey and his team), Nedbank x2 (Zazi and his team), Mozmas (Moses and his team), Komatiland (Pedro and his team) and LEFPA (Andre and his team). 
• Builders Warehouse for spot prizes 
• Juanita, Etienne and Finditads who did an incredible job of catering for a worthy cause of Rhino conservation.
• Special mention and thanks to Janet our timekeeper.
• As for our members this race would simply not be possible without your efforts. Admin, marshals, set up, clean up. Individual thank yous are being sent. Special mention and appreciation to Mark who worked like a slave ably assisted by Fanie. Mirandi who efforts started long before race day. And Sandy M who even came to assist us on her special day!

Images courtesy of Sven Musica, Phonix Media House http://www.phonixcapture.co.za/

Results will be posted on http://www.raceresults.co.za/

Upcoming Event - Run 4 Rhino Challenge

Download your entry form HERE

Casual Day Time Trial @ Nelspruit Marathon Club

Thursday, 5 September 2013

Bring and Braai at Nelspruit Marathon Club! All the clubs are welcome to join us! Please contact Yolanda 084 607 6314 or Winnie 082 410 0170 for more info — at Nelspruit Marathon Club.

Nedbank Om Die Dammetjie Race Countdown - Route Map

Only a day and a bit to go!

Here's the route map:

Download your entry form HERE

Running In Circles Newsletter - September 2013 Spring Edition

Chairman's Chatter

September has arrived and for a lot of us that means getting back on the road! The mornings are warming up and make it so much easier getting out of bed to put your shoes on and go for a run.

August was a busy month for some of us. From the Skukuza in early August to trail running in the garden route! Our runners participated in some local trail running events and collected some prize money for their efforts. It certainly seems like the “trail bug” has bitten. We approached Sven Musica, one of our members and trail lover and he agreed to head up our trail running section. Sven knows some trail routes and will also assist us on all the technical things we need to know regarding trail running. The aim would be to have an organized trail run on the monthly calendar. Please visit the blog as we will be introducing Sven this month.The past Saturday saw some of us taking to water point marking and route measuring at Witklip dam. It was a disappointing turnout to say the least. Unfortunately Gary couldn’t be there on the morning so no “vehicle” was available. As runners we will have to start realizing that this was a luxury and we will have to find another way of supplying your water during runs. Whether it means that turns will be made to drive, our own vehicles used or routes changed. I find it unacceptable that runners can’t carry water for an 18km run either. Come- on runners, let’s stop finding excuses.

The annual NEDBANK OM DIE DAMMETJIE race is happening on Saturday 7th September at Witklip dam. Nedbank is putting in a huge effort to make this a success. But, we do need our members to come and assist on the day. Please contact Helen, Paul or myself if you can help on the day. As members we do have a responsibility to help when we host these events. I would really like to see some new faces giving their time on the morning of the race. I will also be putting forward a proposal to the committee where I would suggest that members helping at more than 3 of our five races will be eligible for discount on next year’s subscriptions. Nedbank LVCC has been complimented on many occasions for the professional way in which races are hosted. Please help us make the remaining two this year a success too.

Time trial at LVCC will start at 17:30 again from Thursday. Contrary to belief we do have a running clubhouse! It takes 45 minutes out your schedule and you will be surprised what it can do for you! A committee member is on duty. Time trials are a key part of a running club. Please join us at 17:15 for some announcements for the week coming and maybe a drink afterwards. 

The Rhino Buddies/MTPB will be hosting an event at LVCC on Saturday 28 September. Helen has been hard at work with the organizers to make this a success. It will be a team relay

event in aid of a worthy cause and is sponsored by Metropolitan. Zola Budd will be the sporting celebrity. And there are amazing prizes and family fun on the go. We will keep you posted via the blog.

Congratulations to our runners representing their province later this month at SA championships. Fanie and Anthea Bekker will represent Mpumalanga at SA Cross country in Potchefstroom and December Mashaba , Ntutuko Maseko and Ntokozo Dlamini the 21km championships. We wish them best of luck!

Please visit our blog to keep informed with regards to the running club and social matters.

See you on the road.

Steve

NEDBANK OM DIE DAMMETJIE NEEDS YOU! 

Please email lvccrun@gmail.com to let us know how you can help.

Blog in September:

·         Training programs

·         Entries for races

·         Latest calendar updates

·         Race reports and pictures

·         Trial and Trails!

A huge thank you to those who offered assistance with the club projects list. 

Mt Sheba Trail Run - Action Shots