Distance Running Results Vol
Distance Running Results Vol. 9, No. 22 – 2 June 2009 © Distance Running Results. All rights reserved. ____________________________________________________________________ Distance Running Results (DRR) publishes results of races 800 metres and longer from all over the world with the focus on South African results. DRR is available by subscription only. For subscription information send an e-mail to the address at the end of this issue. Publisher: Riël Hauman ____________________________________________________________________ OBITUARY: FRANS DU TOIT By Riël Hauman The phone call from Elize Engelbrecht in the Western Province Athletics office on Monday morning was stunning in the unreality of it: Frans du Toit had passed away that morning after suffering a hear attack. Recently I attended the funerals of Lynne Spence, who I have known for 30-odd years, and of Gerald Naudé, a much respected “elder statesman” of my former club, Helderberg Harriers. Lynne had suffered from cancer and Gerald had suffered a stroke a few years ago and was 75 years old. But Frans ... healthy, fit, vibrant, on-the-go Frans? It made no sense. Frans, who ran every day of his life, who looked after himself so well. Frans, who lived for athletics. Frans, who loved a joke, jovial Frans. I was shocked, and so too, I am sure, will be everyone who knew him. We have been friends for more than two decades, talking athletics, working together, sharing information, helping each other. Distance Running Results depended on Frans for Western Cape results, and every Sunday evening, without fail, his results would be in my e-mail inbox. So they were this Sunday, with the message that he had been ill since Friday.
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