The runners laughed when they explained why it’s called the Timothy Route.

The Run Zone West Rand (RZWR) runners would come together once a week, sometimes more, to try to improve on their running times through the hills of Noordheuwel. Afterwards they would gather at the clubhouse (when socialising was still allowed) to have coffee or a beer. At that point, 11-year-old Timothy Ressel would finish his run, walk into the clubhouse and complain to everyone who’d listen that the 4km route is only 3,6km.

On Tuesday, 19 January the new ‘green route’, aka the Timothy Route was revealed to a growing crowd of runners eager to shake off the festive season idleness.

“I’ve got my fast guys here tonight,” said club manager Warren Mackenzie.

“We have the new green route, which is exactly 4km and 8km, and new times need to be set.”

With the club having grown as much as it has over the past year, Warren was worried that too many people would show up for the time trial, and they’d have to set them off in two groups to remain within lockdown Level 3 guidelines. Luckily, just under 50 people showed up, which is an impressive number for a running club, but still falls within lockdown limitations. Runners from all over were invited and, of note, members of the Krugersdorp Road Runners joined in on the fun.

RZWR has challenged their sister club and Run Zone head office in the north to a timed run where each club would put up 25 of their best athletes, divided into different skill and age categories. The combined times of all the runners would be tabulated and the club with the best grand total would walk away the victors. In addition to testing their new route, the time trial helped RZWR choose their top runners to form their team.

At the end of the run, the new times to beat are: 
• 4km male best was Andrew Ressel with a time of 14:22
• 4km female best was Elrize Kruger with a time of 17:21
• 8km male best was Francois Buys with a time of 33:54
• 8km female best was Chinette de Beer with a time of 44:44