Toti AC runners impress at KZN cross country champs

AMANZIMTOTI Athletics Club committee thanks all members, junior parents and friends who assisted with the hosting of the KZN cross country champs at Hutchison Park on Saturday, 23 August.

The 2014 KZN cross-country season came to end with the season’s highlight and premier event, the KZN cross-country championship.

The event was held at Toti’s stomping ground, Hutchison Park on the slightly modified cross country course which was cut out the bush by club members in the 1980s.

This true, new-look cross country course was a real tester to all the athletes who ran on the day and only received positive comments on how great the new course is.

Some 850+ athletes took part in the event and Toti Athletics Club extend its appreciation to all the athletes, coaches, parents, members and all who helped for their effort in supporting the event and making it such a success. There were a few very close competitive races and once again showed the talent, both young and old, in KZN. The number of Toti athletes participating was pleasing, with some of the top athletes from yesteryear, such as Andre Olivier, lacing up his shoes to take part. The total number participating was 44 athletes; 11 master men (age 30 to 70 plus); three master women; 12 junior boys; six junior girls; four youth men; two youth women; three junior men and three senior men.

The results were also pleasing with three gold medals, two bronzes and eight athletes finishing in the top six positions, which could result in a number of these athletes being selected to the KZN Athletics squad to represent KZN at the South African cross country championship to be held in George on 13 September.

Masters men age 30 (8km): Eighth Ewoud Grobler, 11th Nhlanhla Nzama. Masters men age 40 (8km): fifth Xolani Nocanda.

Masters men age 45 (8km): First Robert Gcanba, third Chris Stange, masters men age 50 (8km): Seventh Lawrence Herron.

Masters men age 60+ (6km): Fourth Devilliers Oberholzer, 29.39.41, sixth Cecil Clarke 31.00.86, 11th Des van der Merwe 37.30.00, 12th Andre Olivier 48.10.00. Masters men age 65+ (6km): Fifth Ron Sayer 32.17.00. Masters men age 70+ (6km): First Noel Saville 32.03.00.

Masters women age 35+ (4km): Eighth Suzette Linden 20.50.00.

Masters women age 50+ (4km): Third Jolanda Broodryk 21.53.00. Masters women age 60+ (4km): Eighth K Balaram 28.30.00.

Boys age eight (1km): Fourth Waldo Greyvenstein 04.03.01, seventh Xavier Snayman 04.28.00, eighth Mason Storm 04.40.00. Girls age 9 (2km):

Seventh Maya Pretorius 11.38.00, eighth Bianca Sevenster 12.04.00. Boys age 9 (2km): Seventh Francios Snyman 09.41.00.

Senior men (12km): 18th Mbongeni Maphumulo 44.35.00. Youth men age 16: Eighth Njabulo Khuzwayo 23.33.00, ninth Sphesihle Nxele 25.12.00,

11th Trevor Hlengwa 27.43.00. Youth men age 17: 15th Wikus Herbst 24.39.00. Final men age 23 (short course): Fifth Nkulule Komgenge 13.46.00, seventh Terence Koornhof 15.12.00. Girls age 11 (3km): Ninth Emma Pretorius 14.10.00. Girls age 12 (3km): 19th Maryke Sevenster 15.32.00. Boys age 11 (3km): Ninth Nathan Haylock 12.59.00, 12th Morne Nel 13.38.00, 13th Corne Nel 13.44.00, 18th Stefan Nosloo 15.10.00. Youth women age 16: Fourth Hlengiwe Zuma 16.14.00. Youth women age 17: 10th Storm Alexander 18.09.00.

Final men junior (8km): 21st Mukelani Khuzwayo 31.48.00, 22nd Senzo Ngcobo 32.12.00, 24th Pieta Henning 32.49.00.

Final girls age 13 (3km): First Lee-anne Blake 12.08.00. Final boys age 13 (4km): 16th Ruan Vosloo 17.30.00. Final girls age 15 (4km): 20th Amahle Mfeka 18.21.00. Final boys age 14 (4km): Fifth Tyrique Naidoo 15.18.00. Final boys age 15 (4km): 18th Andile Pili 4.56.00, Lindokhule Cele.

The KZN cross-country selectors will be meeting during the week to select and finalize the team that will represent KZNA at the SA cross-country champs to be held in George on Saturday, 13 September.

Emma ran the in the women’s Spar 5km race on Sunday in club kit and came third in her age group, girls 9 to 11, in a time of 24.41. She won a R400 voucher and was so happy – and that after a very tough KZN champs the previous day.

Wikus Herbst accompanied and motivated her along the way and was there to see that she was safe.

The Mandela Marathon 42.2km, 21.1km and 10km races will be run on Sunday, 31 August. Unfortunately it is strictly pre-entry only.

Members are reminded that the bus for the Mandela Marathon will leave on Sunday at 4.30am from Lords and Legends parking. To book space, call Thobilhle on 076-474-0342. Cost is R60 for members and R120 for non-Toti AC members.

The 21km club champs takes place on 21 September at the SAPS Striders Heritage Challenge at Kings Park Athletic Stadium with a 6.30am start.

For the brave folk, Comrades entries open on 1 September with an early bird discount of R350.

On August 30, the Umgeni River run 22km/15km/10km takes place. Email andrew@kzntrailrunning.co.za

There was a very good turnout at the time trial last week with over 34 athletes participating. Remember to wear your reflective gear at night when running.

Time trial results from Wednesday, 13 August: 8km: S Thembu 36.56, E Grobler 38.07, L Martin 41.57, J Howlet 41.47, G Smith 43.27.

4km: M Kuzwayo 12.07, M Maphumulo 14.58, T Ndlovu 16.05, S Ngcobo 16.05.

8km walk: D van der Merwe, 65.00, M Clark 65.00, S van der Merwe 1.16 A Kretzmann 1.16, J Williams 1.16, B Wagner 1.16.00.

Juniors track and field training for Toti AC takes place at Lords at 4.45pm from Mondays to Fridays. Call Riaan on 078-457-1936.

For senior strength training, meet at Lords at 5pm on Tuesdays. Call Cecil on 079-895-4323.

The 8km and 4km time trials are on Wednesdays at Lords at 6pm, while Saturday’s 11km run starts at 6am.

Walkers train on Mondays and Tuesdays at 4.30pm, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Thursdays at 4.30pm.

For walkers information, contact Cornell.

Go to www.totiac.co.za for more club details. Meet up with coach Cecil Clark’s training group if you are a member or plan to join the club, for training and advice about Comrades and ultra-marathons.