Van der Merwe inducted into Hall of Fame
One of South Africa’s greatest ever long distance runners, Frith van der Merwe, was recently inducted into the gsport Hall of Fame at a lavish ceremony held at the Wanderers Club.
Gsport is an online initiative that was launched in August 2006, by former cricket broadcaster Kass Naidoo and her husband, Ryk Meiring.
The aim of the initiative is to raise the profile of South African women in sport significantly, to encourage corporate South Africa to back female athletes.
Van der Merwe, a member of Benoni Northerns Athletics Club and a teacher at Benoni High School, shattered the Comrades Marathon’s down run record to win the 1989 women’s race and finished 15th overall in a strong field of runners.
Her 1989 record time in the 56km Two Oceans Marathon also still stands.
She was presented with her award by last year’s gsport Hall of Fame winner, Ntambi Ravele.
Previous winners of the prestigious award include Elana Meyer, Penny Heyns and Castor Semenya.
Speaking of her achievement the running heroine said: “It was very surprising at first to hear that I would be receiving the award, as I have been out of the limelight for a while now.
“It was a beautiful function and great to see some of my old friends, like Penny Heyns and Elana Meyer.
“It really brought back the good memories of 25 years ago and I am very happy that I haven’t been forgotten.”
She added that it is a terrific feeling to be honoured by gsport and to be a part of a really special group of sporting heroines.
