BAC runners make their mark
The club's runners continue to be a constant feature in races around the country.
It was another victorious day for some of Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) members who, despite the sweltering heat, kicked into first gear at the Om Die Dam ultramarathon in Hartbeespoort and the 77th Jackie Gibson Marathon at Klipriviersberg Recreation Centre, on March 18.
A constant feature in marathons around the country, the BAC’s blue and white colours are a familiar sight, with members either as part of the ‘bus’ or challenging for podium positions in their categories.
It was the same at Om Die Dam as former member Melissa Jansen van Vuuren showed up and finished in the top five in the women’s race.
Now with Hollywoodbets Athletic Club, Jansen van Vuuren only missed the podium by 78 seconds at the gruelling ultramarathon, but it was still a good day for the Boksburg resident.
She completed the 50km race in 03:49:49 to finish fifth overall and fourth in the senior category, missing the podium by a minute and 18 seconds.
Jansen van Vuuren may have had a good day but veteran BAC member, Ian Manchest, had an even sweeter one after receiving his blue number at the event.
This was Manchester’s 10th time taking part in the race and thus was awarded with a special race number.
“Well done to Ian Manchest, who is now a proud member of the blue number club. He was fortunate enough to have his number handed over to him by the maestro of Oom Die Dam, Frank Da Ascencao, who had just completed his 31st event,” said the BAC’s Caronn Harris.
Meanwhile, the club’s Josiah Makoro claimed a silver medal in the men’s grandmasters category at the 77th Jackie Gibson Marathon on the edge of the picturesque Kliprivier Nature Reserve in Johannesburg South.
Makoro clocked 03:35:13 to finish the 42.2km race behind winner Donald Sampson from Nedbank.
Benoni Northerns Athletic Club
The club’s Alison de Bruin finished the women’s 21.1km race in second position in the women’s open category, clocking 01:39:58 to finish sixth overall.
De Bruin’s teammate, Elizabeth Bothma, finished sixth in the women’s 50-59 category in the 21.1km while Jacqui McIlduff completed the women’s 42.2km in sixth in the women’s 50-59 category.
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