Smiles for miles for Northerns’ walkers despite their aches and pains
The club is walking tall after a good season.
Benoni Northerns Athletic Club’s (BNAC) walking section has had a good season overall.
The club held their annual Aches and Pains Awards on August 16 following the 51km Blood Buddy Memel to Newcastle Walk on a cold Women’s Day on August 9.
This year the club also had two teams participating in the 51km team relay event.
Reflecting on the past walking season, Anne Reynolds, BNAC’s walker’s captain, said: “Benoni Northerns as a walking club has grown significantly.
“We have had a lot of new walkers who have joined us and are strong and are going take our club from strength to strength.
“Our walkers have had over many years become stronger and are also assisting in putting BNAC on the map in race walking.
“The club has finished in second place in Central Gauteng Athletics walking league races for a number of years and is getting closer to first place.”
The club will aim for first place in the league next year in a bid to surpass the Run/Walk for Life franchise clubs.
Speaking about the famous red and yellow club strip dubbed the “Cheese and Tomato” in running and walking circles, Reynolds added that when the club’s members are on the road they make their presence felt.
The club’s members put in some impressive displays during the race from Memel in the Free State to Newcastle in KwaZulu-Natal.
Stephen Msimango was the first man home for the club, and the second overall finisher with the time of six hours, eight minutes and 25 seconds.
The 53-year-old was only eight seconds behind the winner of the race.
Legendary BNAC septuagenarian Sidwell Mhlongo (73) was the 11th man home overall with his time of six hours, 56 minutes and 10 seconds.
The first woman home, as well as the first novice walker home from BNAC, was Agnes Kirsch who crossed the line in seven hours, 21 minutes and 49 seconds.
Heather Salinger was the second woman home with her time of seven hours, 51 minutes and 47 seconds.
Novice walkers Fatima Rodrigues (third woman home), Carol Selolo (fourth woman home), Joyce Mazibuko (fifth woman home) and Jabu Mphego (sixth woman home), followed soon after.
“It’s the first time we have had so many novices in many years, so that’s just fantastic,” said Reynolds.
Pierre Bezuidenhout (81) was acknowledged for being part of an exclusive bunch of walkers who have done the Cape Town Big Walk, Dolphin Coast Ultra and Bloody Buddy.
Sandra Madsen received the Golden Oldies Trophy.
The club’s Most Improved Walker Award and Walkers’ Walker of the Year Award was presented to Salinger.
The latter award is voted on by the fellow walkers, and votes are based on the qualities of an individual who has inspired during the year.
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY of images taken during the awards.
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