Local walkers shine in Brazil

Local residents, Monica Risk and Hildegard Vey, were recently part of an athletics team which participated in the World Masters Athletics Championships.

The event was held in Porto Alagre, Brazil, and features about 60 South African athletes.

Monica and Hildegard form part of the South African group of four Race Walkers who participated in the event.

The four are trained by Barbara Nell from Wanderers and achieved 14 medals between them; seven gold, three silver and four bronze.

Monica and Hildegard competed in the 5 000 metre, 10 kilometre and 20 kilometre Race Walk events.

Monica competed in the 55 – 59 age group, where she won a bronze medal in the 5 000 metre event and a silver medal in the 20 kilometre Race Walk.

Monica also won gold for the 20 kilometre team event in the women’s age group of 50 – 54.

Hildegard competed in the age group 70 – 74 won bronze medals in the 5 000 metre Race Walk and 10 kilometre events.

She also won a silver medal in the 20 kilometre Race Walk.

“Conditions on race days were not easy because of the blistering heat with almost 100 percent humidity,” said Monica.

Monica’s training programme lasted 20 weeks and included training twice, often three times, a day.

“My general road training routine meant I was up at 4am and on the road by 5am to finish by 6.30am,” said Monica.

She would hit the road again in the late afternoon for another one hour session.

“I did weight training two or three times a week and Pilates twice a week. I trained for six days a week with longer distances over weekends,” said Monica.

Hildegard’s programme over 20 weeks included road running once a day.

She also participated in regular club walks from Virgin Active in Bedfordview, three times.

Both athletes feel they are privileged to have participated in the championships and are currently enjoying a rest period before training starts early in January 2014.

The next World Masters Championships will take place in Lyon, France in 2015.