Low turn-out from AAC at final cross country league event

THE ninth and final event in the 2014 KZNA cross-country league was held at the Richmond Country Club on Saturday, 9 August.

This was the first time a cross-country league event was held in Richmond and it was very well received.

The event numbers were not very pleasing way down from earlier leagues with only 150 athletes competing. Masters athletes (30+ years) still dominate the participation numbers with 28 women and 34 men athletes. Amanzimtoti Athletics Club’s senior men and junior and youth numbers were alarmingly low. The club numbers in the entire master, senior and junior age groups were very disappointing with only nine athletes entered, one junior boy, seven masters (30+ years) and one senior. These athletes kept the Toti flag flying high, showing some good results:

Boys age 13: Seventh Ruan Vosloo 18.24.61. Master women age 50+: First Jolanda Broodryk 21.51.58. Master men age 30+: Second Ewoud Grobler 28.31.43. Master men age 35+: Third Thabani Ndovela 33.12.51. Master men age 40+: First Xolani Nocanda 30.25.75. Master men age 45+: First Robert Gcanba 31.09.18. Master men age 60+: Third Cecil Clarke 30.51.54. Master men age 65+: Second Ron Sayer 2.11.94. Senior open men: Fifth Mbongeni Maphumulo 44.22.79.

This was the final league event of the season, the only cross country event left in the province is the KZN cross-country champs scheduled for Saturday, 23 August in Amanzimtoti. The champs are not reserved for the top athletes, any licensed athlete no matter the level is welcome to enter on the day, so go on South Coast athletes, let’s see you at Hutchison Park on 23 August. The first race starts at 9am.

The club is hosting this event and is still in need of helpers. Call Des van der Merwe on 082-806-0348 if you can lend a hand.

The 16km Capital Climb takes place on 16 August. Call Tony on 086-604-3984.

Club members interested in trail running for something different, can diarise the following: On Sunday, 17 August SPCA trail run 7km/14km, email durbantrails@gmail.com.

On Sunday, 24 August Hilton College trail series 23km/12km/5km. Email andrew@kzntrailrunning.co.za.

On August 30, Umgeni River run 22km/15km/10km. Email andrew@kzntrailrunning.co.za.

The club had a very good turnout at the time trial last week, with over 30 athletes participating. Remember to wear reflective gear at night when running.

Time trial results from Wednesday, 6 August:

8km: M Hlongwa 31.53, T Ndlovu 32.17, R Gcaba 32.38, S Ngcobo 32.40, J Smith 34.55.

4km: S Linden 25.06, N Linden 25.07, A Wasserman 28.45, T Zama 28.45.

8km walk: I Bohmer 63.00, S van der Merwe 63.00, M Clark 63.00, J Williams 75.00, B Wagner 75.00.

Training times for Toti AC juniors track and field meet at lords 4.45pm Mondays to Fridays, call Riaan on 078-457-1936.

Senior strength training meet at Lords 5pm on Tuesdays, call Cecil on 079-895-4323.

The 8km and 4km time trials are run on Wednesdays at Lords at 6pm, while Saturday’s 11km run starts at 6am. The Saturday long run leaves at 5am. Runners are to wear club vest and black shorts for visibility on long runs. Walkers train on Monday and Tuesday at 4.30pm, Wednesday at 5.30pm and Thursday at 4.30pm.

For any walkers information, contact Cornell.

Visit www.totiac.co.za for more information about Amanzimtoti Athletics Club. If you are a club member or plan to join, meet coach Cecil Clarke for training and advice about Comrades and ultra-marathons. He has a training group going and anyone wishing to join is most welcome to do so.