Toti AC foursome to lace up for SA cross country champs
The club's 40 year celebration get-together takes place on 17 September at the clubhouse starting at 2pm.
AMANZIMTOTI Athletics Club reports that it has been a quiet weekend with no local races and most athletes running in groups to keep up with their training schedule.
Once again the club appeals to athletes to run in groups in the early mornings, for the sake of safety.
Also be careful where you park your cars as this past weekend, there was a theft outside the parking lot near a local gym.
The Spur Trail series returns this year with four exciting events taking place in Rocky Bay, Blythedale Coastal Resort and Aloe Wildlife Estate, plus a night run at Kenneth Steinbank Nature Reserve. The Spur Trail series is a fantastic place to involve the whole family, as children as young as six-years-old are allowed to enter and compete. The first leg of the series kicks off on 2 October at Rocky Bay, then to Kenneth Stainbank on 5 October, Aloe Estate on 16 October and Blythedale on 30 October.
Complete the full series by running at least three short courses (challenge) or three long courses (championship) to receive a medal or simply run one or two races for the fun of it. For more info visit www.trailseries.co.za
AAC scongratulate the following members who made the KZN cross country team to participate in the SA champs in George on 17 September: Ron Sayer, Cecil Clarke, Thierry Pletinckx and Devilliers Oberholzer. The club wishes them all good luck and safe travels.
AAC appeals to companies or groups of 10 people to man and assist at water tables along the route for the Goss and Balfe Sapphire Coast Marathon on 16 October. Water/Coke, ice and bottles plus tables will be supplied by the club, and they only require people to give refreshments to the athletes as they pass. Contact Chris by email at stange@lantic.net or call 083-3013632.
The club’s 40 year celebration get-together takes place on 17 September at the clubhouse starting at 2pm. Members pay R30 which includes meat and salads. Non-members pay R15, including salads but take your own meat. RSVP Belinda by 12 September for catering purposes on 083-408-0639. Cash bar will be available.
Upcoming races: 11 September: SAPS Striders Heritage Challenge at Kings Park Athletic Stadium 21.1km run/walk and 10km run/walk starting at 6.30am. This is a pre-entry race.
25 September: Ethekwini Township to Township Marathon 42.2km/21.1km race starts at King Goodwill Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi at 5.30am and finishes at Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu. Pre-entries close on 20 September.
2 October: Duke of York 16km run/walk and a 5km run/walk hosted by Collegians Harriers in Pietermaritzburg at the Bishopstowe Hall starts at 6.30am. This pre-entry event has a closing date of two weeks before.
2 October: Newlands Challenge 42.2/21.1km run and 10km run/walk at Newlands Athletic Club starting at 5am. Pre- and late entries accepted.
16 October: Goss and Balfe Sapphire Coast Marathon, entries are open. This race will run/walk from Hutchison Park and back, due to the damage to Metro Rail railway line. Closing date for this pre-entry race is 8 October. Visit https://www.eventtiming.co.za/gossbalfe
Club members cannot take part but a helpers run will take place on 8 October where members can use their times as a Two Oceans and Comrades qualifier.
Time trial results
- 4km run: E Luiz 18:45.
- 8km run: P Mngandi 36:59, S Ngcobo 40:00, J Nel 44:32, I Darwood 44:32, C Clarke 45:08, R Sayer 45:08, N Saville 45:35, T Zama 46:31, T Mrwetyana 55:12, M Mzimela 56:04, Phakedi 56:04, L Ndela 56:04, S Msomi 56:04.
- 4km walk: A Kretzmann 35:15, D van der Merwe 35:15, S van der Merwe 36:00, M Weyer 36:00, B Wagner 37:20, S Coulter 37:20, J Williams 37:20.
Should you not be able to do your time trial duties, make arrangements for someone to stand in for you. Reflective belts are mandatory for time trials.
Weekly time trials are on Wednesdays with walkers starting at 5.30pm and runners at 6pm (both over 4km and 8km). Visitors are welcome to join and should meet at the clubhouse at Hutchison Park. On Saturdays there is an 11km run and walk from the clubhouse at 5.30am for walkers and 6am for runners. Tea, coffee and biscuits are served afterwards.
Contact club chairman Des van der Merwe on 082-806-0348, captain Chris Stange on 083-301-3632 and club coach Cecil Clarke on 083-805-1277. For junior track and field queries, call Riaan Vosloo on 078-457-1936.
