Club awards the best runners

POLOKWANE – Polokwane Athletic Club (PAC) awarded their top runners during their annual prize-giving ceremony on November 26.

Before the ceremony started, the club elected a new chairperson, which saw Corrie Callitz take over from Johan Janse van Vuu-ren for the next term.

“Some of the highlights of the year for me were reaching a total of 250 club members, the most in history, and the 123 athletes who have entered for next year’s Comrades Marathon so far,” said Janse van Vuuren.

Awards:

• Janse van Vuuren was awarded the Pegasus Trophy for excellent service to the club.

• Pieter Pretorius received the male athlete of the year award, as well as the Ambassador’s Trophy. Pretorius completed the 21km mayoral race in a time of 01:20 and the PriceWaterhouseCoopers 42,2km race in a time of 02:45. He was also the winner of the 12-hour night race and the 100 mile Dawn to Dusk Race. Pretorius also gave guidance and training to some of the runners at the club.

• Pearl Hughes received the female athlete of the year award, as well as the best female Comrades athlete award. Hughes completed the Comrades Marathon in a time of 08:33, with a best half marathon time of 01:40 and 42,2km marathon time of 03:38. Hughes and her husband, Mike Maruma, also set-up a new club record of a combined Comrades Marathon time of 17:12 and were awarded the best husband and wife Comrades time award.

• Sabata Motjale won the best male Comrades athlete award for finishing this grueling race in a time of 06:45, improving his time with 32 minutes compared to last year. Motjale also won the fastest male marathon athlete award for completing the Bela-Bela Marathon in a time of 02:47.

• David Kubjana was awarded the most improved athlete award for finishing the Comrades Marathon in a time of 07:50 during his first year with the club. He also won the award for best male athlete over 50.

• Amelia Haupt received the award for most improved female athlete after improving her Comrades Marathon time with nearly an hour.

• Melanie Mellville won the award for fastest female marathon athlete.

• Santa van Heerden received the award for best female athlete over 50.

• Ria and Calie Swart received the supporter of the year awards. Calie also received a trophy for completing the club’s 10km challenge, running 10 of their 10km races in 2014.

• Nelson Mothoa and Ethne Lloyd received the junior athlete of the year awards.

• Sakkie Prinsloo was awarded the Chairperson’s Trophy for completing his first Comrades Marathon after six previous attempts.