Final Lowveld Road Race for 2013 presented by Nedbank LVCC Running Club

Rudamans Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 Photo Gallery

Images courtesy of Toy Dupper and www.facebook.com/nelspruit.runner

Upcoming Event - Ehlanzeni Sports Tourism Day

Entry form available HERE

Race Report - God's Window Race

One of the most scenic races in the Lowveld, the Build It God's Window Race took place on the 5th of October and once again confirmed why I rate this race among my top three favourite races. It was my second race I ran when I started running five years ago and last Saturday I completed my 4th God's Window Race.

It is just one of those races that you should forget about your time/pace and just enjoy the magnificent scenery that is on offer. Last Saturday wasn't any different. The best weather you can ask for. To fully appreciate this race I would recommend the half marathon but a word of caution - don't pitch up unprepared. That appreciation comes at a price with hill upon hill and if that is not bad enough you have the altitude factor to contend with! It definitely played a role in my case or maybe I am simply not as fit as I thought I am.

However if you can overcome this monster hill and the "altitude sickness" you are rewarded with the most amazing scenery and hopefully you can even share and enjoy it with a club mate.

Running back is a breeze, literally! This is where you can just relax and allow gravity to "get you down". I thought it was excellent training for the upcoming Kaapsehoop Marathon.

Legogote Villagers did a fantastic job as always, especially considering that they are based in White River. I am a bit concerned about the lack of support from my fellow club members. Fortunately some excellent performances and podium finishes made up for our lack of participants to a certain extent.

Well done and thank you to all the Nedbank LVCC runners that participated and congratulations to our podium finishers.

I sincerely hope that next year we can attend in greater numbers.

Adriaan du Plessis  

 

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

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/

Race Report - The Num-Num Trail Challenge

So now in its 3rd year, the Num-Num trail challenge is starting to prove itself as an incredible up and coming trail race, attracting some big names in the trail scene. And for good reason - the route profile is one of the closest to the biggest race on the calendar, the Otter African trail run. The Num-Num allows the runners to get an idea of how their training has been going throughout the year and the puts it to an incredible test. I stayed over with Landie and Christiaan Greyling at their parents’ house together with adventure racer and trail athlete Ryno Griesel. I psyched myself up for the event by learning everything I can from them, which didn't help much because they don't even Carbo-load! Their pre race meal consists of Lamb shank and veggies!

The Num-Num is a 36km / 5 day trail but we run it all in one go!

Day/Section 1 - Map

The race started early as I was seeded in the first group. My competitive spirit is always too high at these events (I can never hold back) so I naturally fell in behind and tailed Christiaan and Ryno (Salomon sponsored athletes). We covered a short stretch of tar and that was the last bit of smooth road for the rest of the race. As we hit the trail, it started with a good climb and it just went up and up and up, eventually climbing onto a plateau known as “Die Vlakte” at the 3km mark. This allowed one to turn the legs at a runners pace. At this point the eventual race winner Lucky Miya flew past me. This section is only a couple of meters long before you descend along steep cliffs, where a wrong step can really put one in a lot of trouble. It’s up and down from then on until you travel through the stone tunnel and arrive at the first check point.

Day/Section 2 - Map

The first part of this section allows you to get some running in but it is very technical, so you will only be running if you are confident. A runner that I had just passed took a nasty fall at that point and I could see that it destroyed his confidence as he fell back really quickly. But all that aside, this is a really beautiful section of the trail. You drop down to a small waterfall below and traverse along it, criss-crossing and boulder hopping along a stunning stretch of stream before you hit a super killer climb straight back up the mountain. Now when I say super killer, I mean there is no way anyone could run it! Hold onto those trees and grit your teeth until a relatively even uphill (not really) and then travel along a ravine climbing a few ladders till you get to a dirt ROAD. Now if you’re not too battered and bruised you get to run about 3 km of badly rutted jeep track until you hit the single track again and experience a quad killing decent. At this point I was a bit too brave and took my first face plant of the race after kicking a stump. Adrenaline and momentum got be going real quick again!  Once you get to the bottom you cross over an incredibly thin suspension bridge and this indicates the start of the insane climb up to Bermanzi Camp. This is where the gradient lines on the map form one thick solid line…

Day/Section 3 - Map

The start of day 3 is good going. It’s a technical decent that allows one to run while grabbing onto any branches possible until you eventually travel along the river. At this stage you cross bridges and climb a few ladders and the field is so stretched out that it becomes a very lonely section of trail. The trail eventually opens up to a stunning waterfall that I really hate. Seriously! It indicates the start of a mean climb and the point at which my legs locked up and cramped for the first time. Many baby steps later you finally end day 3.

Day/Section 4 - Map

If your legs are not locked up too badly day 4 is actually the one section where you can probably run the most. It has moderate climbs, a few really steep ones, but killer descents that give your quads moments to remember. It’s where you really have to think about how long your knee caps could last. At this section’s halfway point you reach a stunning section of forest where my legs locked up and cramped for a second time. This time so badly that any movement initiated more cramping. I got going again after a good stretching session and some super slow walking just in time for some more ladder climbing and descents before the start of the final section – day 5.

Day/Section 5 - Map

At this point things got a little blurry…I know you climb and climb and climb, only to descend again and climb down the longest ladder you will ever come across. Then descend, descend, descend some more down the canyon to the river where you can splash your face in the awesome winter stream. Then climb, cramp, climb, cramp and climb back out the canyon. If you are able to turn your legs over at this point you could make up some ground, traveling along a stream criss-crossing it until out of absolutely nowhere you see a whole bunch of faces showing no sympathy at all at the finish line.

See you on the trail!

Sven Musica

Murray (right). Image by Ilonka Potgieter

Sven (below). Image by Ilonka Potgieter

Sven (fake smile). Image by Ilonka Potgieter

Too fast for the photographer.

Andrew Dollenberg's GPS Elevation Chart

Nedbank / LVCC Results:

12^th SVEN MUSICA 05:31:04

40^th MURRAY ANDERSON-OGLE 06:59:31

43^rd ANDREW DOLLENBERG 07:11:43

Photos by Murray Anderson-Ogle

Nedbank Om Die Dammetjie Race Countdown - Witklip Dam

Only 11 days to go!

Witklip Dam - Facts & Figures.

Witklip Dam is a gravity and arch type dam located on the Sand River near Sabie, Mpumalanga, South Africa. It was established in 1969 and serves primarily for irrigation purposes.

Coordinates: 25°14′10″S 30°54′1″E
Opening date: 1969
Type of dam: gravity, arch
Height: 21.6 meters
Length: 670 meters
Impounds: Sand River
Reservoir
Creates: Witklip Dam Reservoir
Capacity: 12,970,000 cubic meters
Surface area: 178 hectares

Download your entry form HERE.

Unogwaja Challenge 2013 Short Film - "Go with your heart"

Skukuza Castle Lager Half Marathon 2013 - Action Shots

The Rhino Runner

Many of you might have seen the Rhino runner at the Comrades Marathon. Whether it was on TV or in person out on the road, it was very impressive. Check this clip out!

Sudwala Screaming Monster Half Marathon

Please take note that it is a pre-entry only event. Entries close tomorrow, 30 April!
Entry form available here.

Running in Circles Newsletter - Comrades Special Edition

CHAIRMANS CHATTER

This is an extraordinary edition of RIC

I would like to start off with hearty congratulations to all of you who participated in ANY distance on Saturday at Elands. It was a phenomenal day for Nedbank Running. On the podium, for many personal achievements and support given to one another. I was proud to receive compliments from respected sources as to how well our club is perceived. Well done to you all!

This time of the year the running calendar heats up to fever pitch and we as a club get into the spirit and Camaraderie of what has traditionally been the build-up to the world’s greatest Ultra – Comrades.

To follow please find all the events that need to be diarised together with a brief explanation for our new members and for our current members whose memory may be foggy given all the current mileage! I would like to appeal to all of you to be involved whether running the comrades or not. It is a time where we as a club can come together socially. Share stories, experiences, information and of course a whole lot of fun!.

There is a load to organise and budget for so I would also like to appeal to all of you to RSVP to all events for us to gauge numbers.
In the meantime stay tuned to our blog and stay well and injury free.

See you on the road.

Steve


CAPTAIN'S REPORT - NEDBANK RUNNING SOARS AT ELANDS

The 2013 Elands Valley had a “save the Earth green theme” and then Nedbank Running Club MPU came along and really painted the race GREEN !!! What a turnout for our club and what results. So many great results in fact that I am not going to single out and mention any individual as we had so many podium finishers and personal PB’s that I’m scared I miss someone out.

Well done to all who participated in the various runs and represented Nedbank LVCC so well, a truly great effort by the club. The gazebo after the race was the place to be with well-deserved cold beverages and lots of congratulating going around and no real war stories to talk of. This year we are really taking the club to new heights in terms of participation and results. Keep it up guys & well done once again.

Please follow link for final results beautifully done by Elsabe at EVM team and TIXSA!

http://protime.co.za/race-results

Paul

COMRADES COUNTDOWN

01 May 2013 - LONG RUN WITH LEGOGOTE VILLAGERS
Meet at Legogote Villagers, White River, bring R50 for coke and water and shower facilities at end. 48km to Sabie finishing with a braai at Sabie River Camp where run ends. Good spot half way at picnic spot for supporters. Run starts at 5am so please don’t be late!

02 May 2013 - COMRADES PHOTO 
Formal recording of our 2013 Comrades Club runners will be taken at time trial at 17:20. Please be present, dressed, lip stick on and in your Nedbank Green T-shirts available from Janine. No exceptions or photo-shopping! Lowvelder has strict deadlines.

04 May 2013 - SUDWALA SCREAMING MONSTER 21km 
Pre-entry only - Entry form available here.
This isn't an easy route, it involves an upward climb up to the top of the pass and into the cave.

05 May 2013 - MASVETSEN 
Annual in house club challenge. Starts at 6am sharp at Annetjie and Johan’s farm Sabie Road. Masters, Veterans, Seniors and juniors compete in a relay 3km stretch of 21km distance. Winners determined by a formulae closely protected by bookies. A great, high spirited challenge with loads of fun for all. Team Captains will contact you shortly! We all then head back to town shower change and regroup back there at midday for a prawn braai. Program of events and maps to follow.

09 May 2013 - COMRADES NOVICE ROADSHOW
19:00 LVCC conference centre

11 May 2013 - SELATI 2-in-1 
Malelane, 07:00, Malelane Rugby Club
This is a moderate and scenic route. Around 8km of the 21.1km race is run along the crocodile river, which overlooks Kruger Park.

Starting at the Rugby club, the route passes the golf course, before turning back at the sugar factory and along the crocodile river.

Pre-entries will be available at www.entrytime.com. You can enter on race day.

25 May 2013 - COMRADES DERBY 
We will run our last pre-Comrades 21km at 6am that morning and then meet at LVCC for a family brunch and introduce our comrades horses and jockeys (based on predicted times). More details and times to follow but please diarise this for everyone!

29 May 2013  - MUFFIN RUN LVCC 
Traditional run from LVCC to Helette and Pieter’s house at Shandon Estate.
4:45am Run with jackets to wear when cooling down and having a muffin!

30 May 2013 - HANDING IN OF COMRADES SECONDING

02 June 2013 - COMRADES MARATHON

03 June 2013 - POST COMRADES BREAKFAST 
La Spaggia Umhlanga Beach front next to Cabana Beach at 9am come ache, pain and celebrate!

08 June 2013 - ACHES AND PAINS 
Post Comrades results, stories and pay outs! At LVCC.

We will be sending out RSVP forms shortly.

Happy planning!