Western Province Athletics
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Western Province Athletics www.wpa.org.za December 2012 Newsletter EditoEditorialrialrialrial Looking back on an eventful year the calendar was jam packed with local, regional, national and international events that proved to be very successful for the province. Cross Country hosted the second CAA African Athletics Cross Country Championships in March; it was indeed a highlight on the calendar. WPA also hosted three National events, starting with the Yellow Pages Track and Field Inter Provincial in March, the SA 21km Championships in August and the 50km SA Race Walking Championships in October. All Western Province Athletics members can be proud of our achievements. A special word of thanks goes out to all the members that represented the various LOC’s, helpers and volunteers, without your commitment and hard work these events would not have been a success. Turning to the clubs, our annual fixture’s calendar comprised of more than 80 road running events and 30 Track and Field meetings, Cross Country Leagues and Race Walking leagues. Due to the high standard that was presented at most club hosted events, it is proof once again that we are performing well as a province and the club structure continues to grow and strengthen, you can be proud of your achievements, well done. We must commend the very effective office that drives and assists the commissions and clubs throughout the year. The team led by Sue Forge as the Provincial General Manager is proof indeed that we are setting a standard. The year unfortunately seems to be rushing to its end and we would like to wish everyone a well- deserved break. Enjoy the Festive Season, celebrations and quality time with family and friends. To all who are travelling, please travel safely to and from your destinations. Please return ready and excited to tackle the events and challenges that lie ahead in 2013. Running Regards Jakes Jacobs CCCommissionCommission News RACE WALKING Jurgen Spencer and his family had the opportunity to be at the 2012 Olympic Games in London earlier this year. Jurgen was the envy of his fellow race-walkers, watching our SA hero, Marc Mundell break his personal best race-walking time. We asked Jurgen to share some of his fantastic experience with the rest of us stay-at-homes… Going to LONDON 2012 Last year I agreed that if my daughter Julie, who lives near London obtains Olympic tickets, there would be no reason for me and Barbara not to visit our extended family during the Olympic Games. Now looking back, I can only say that LONDON 2012 was one of the most enjoyable highlights in my entire life. I finally attended the games after having listened as a young boy to my father, recalling how great the 1936 games were in Berlin. Travelling to and from the Olympic Games was an absolute pleasure. Trains, Busses and Underground were plentiful and frequent. Underground travel in the greater London area was free and included in the actual ticket. The 20km and 50km race-walking races were one week apart, on the mostly tree lined route called “The Mall”, a fantastic and beautiful venue, right in front of the Buckingham Palace, along with fantastic weather and ideal temperatures for walking. The field consisted of around 80 walkers in each event. The walkers strip/kit reflecting their National Colours was wonderful to observe. Thousands of supporters lined the route. The main spectator stand right behind the start/finish line was filled to capacity. I enjoyed the atmosphere and saw that Race-walking features highly in the world of sport. Here in SA we have a lot of catching up to do. Blatant breach of the race-walking rules were dealt with by Chief judge Steve Taylor (he judged at our ASA 50km Champs in Youngsfield last year). A number of race-walkers were over striding and as a result were cautioned for “Lifting”. I recall making notes of all the walkers who, as a judge I would have shown the “wavy line” yellow paddle to. My Granddaughter took hundreds of photos. Loading the pics on the computer at home confirmed most of my findings (both feet very much in mid-air). I was pleased to be able to support our own Marc Mundell. He looked good and so strong during the entire race, especially over the last 10km, while the rest of the field looked rather fatigued and exhausted. Barbara and I also enjoyed a day in the actual stadium. It was breathtakingly beautiful. We saw a number of SA T&F athletes, including Caster Semenya. The overall enjoyment and pleasure we have experienced and the memories we have gathered at these London 2012 Olympics will remain for ever and never be forgotten. Club NewNewss ATLANTIC ATHLETIC CLUB OUTSURANCE 94.5 KFM GUN RUN TOP CAPE TOWN EVENT ATTRACTS A RECORD FIELD A record field of just over 15 100 participants lined up outside the Cape Town Stadium to take part in the OUTsurance 94.5 Kfm Gun Run half marathon, 10km and 5km run/walk on a perfect Cape Town morning. Cape Town’s mayor, Alderman Patricia de Lille, fired the gun to start the half marathon and rugby legend Bryan Habana fired the cut off gun at 10h30. The perfect running conditions saw Gauteng runners dominate and take the top three positions in the half marathon, with Xolisa Tjali taking line honours in 64:06, Anthony Godongwana second in 64:18 and Lungile Gongqa third in 65:58. Tjali won R5 000 for his efforts. Cape Town runners dominated the top positions in the women’s event, with Bulelwa Simae winning in 81:28, and Nomvuyisi Seti (82:09) and Bulelwa Mtshagi 84:37 taking second and third places respectively. Simae also pocketed R5 000. The 10km saw Gauteng runners Gladwin Mzazi win in 29:08 and Thozama April win the women’s race in 37:01. A cheque of R60 000 was presented to Reid Corin from the JAG Foundation, thanks to the runners, sponsors and Atlantic Athletic Club. JAG engages children in programmes that teach values and enhance self-esteem, self-discipline, goals, focus and sportsmanship. The JAG Foundation uses sport as a catalyst for change, exposing children from disadvantaged backgrounds to an alternate life path through mentoring, coaching, knowledge and organised physical activity programmes. Visit www.jagfoundation.org.za for more information. EASTERNS ATHLETIC KRAAIFONTEIN Easterns Athletics celebrates another year of good achievements in both the Athletic and Social side. The aim of the club is always to appreciate the contribution of both our athletes and social members. We strive on balance as this not only contributes to running but can also become a life skill. Although we have a membership of less than 70, we can proudly say that our races: the 15km Fairbridge Mall in August and the 10km Sundowner at the Waterfront are continuously looked at for improvement and always with the view of wanting to make it an enjoyable experience for the athletes participating in the race. We had a record amount of athletes participating at the Two Oceans 56km Ultra Marathon with our top runner, Abongile Snyman, running a time of 3.31 and later on winning the Winelands Marathon 42.2km in November – Well done Abongile, you make us proud. The majority of our athletes produced PB’s for 2012 – Well done guys. In September, at the AGM, Anvir Logenstein was elected as the new Chairperson and Pieter Sago occupying the role of Vice-Chair. The idea of a change in leadership always brings with it, new implementation and fresh ideas, with the intention of growing the club numerically as well as creating a greater awareness in the Western Province Athletic Fraternity. With many clubs facing financial strain, and even have to cancel their races due to lack of finance, we are grateful that things are working well for us thus far. Thank you to the WPA Administration for your support and we must congratulate you for the visual improvement in your structures. Our next big event is the Sundowner 10km which takes place on Wednesday 19 th December at 6.00pm. Please come early for parking. For more information, please contact Top Events on 021 511 7130 email: [email protected] or Anvir on 084 400 5821. We wish you all a blessed Christmas and a prosperous 2013. EDGEMEAD RUNNERS December is an exciting month for the club. The 8km Edgemead Runners Memorial Race will be held for the 39 th time in 2012 and will once again attract hundreds of runners, joggers and fun seekers to the Mouille Point Lighthouse for the annual end of year event. We are in full swing with organising & arranging all requirements for the event & we believe the event will be a big success. Now called the Runners Memorial Race, it originated in 1973 as the New Year’s Eve Race and then became the Chris McKinnon Memorial Race to honour the Western Province runner killed while on a training run in Pretoria. Its new name was chosen to commemorate all Western Province runners who died tragically. The race was originally organised by the WP Road Runners Association, thereafter taken over by Tygerberg Athletics Club and organised by Edgemead Runners since 1996. It was the death of Edgemead Runners club member Mxolisi Mitchell Mase a few days before the 1995 Two Oceans Ultra Marathon that emphasised the need for such a race. The race is now hosted to commemorate all runners who died while being involved in their favourite activity, running. Over the years the venue has changed, but the race has always been run along the Sea Point beachfront.