Tough cross country start for Toti AC
League one was a real tester, with some big bumps, single track and a few obstacles in the way.
ON Saturday, a big group of Toti Athletics Club athletes took part in the first cross country league at Westridge Tennis Stadium in Durban.
Cross country is not for the faint-hearted, with both endurance, stamina and speed tested to the maximum.
League one was a real tester, with some big bumps, single track and a few obstacles in the way. The hot and windy conditions tested the athletes on the day.
Noel and Chris entertained the spectators, with both taking a tumble and claiming some ground in the process. League two will be hosted by Queensburgh AC on 3 March at the BMX track
Toti AC club members will be traveling to Ladysmith to take part in the popular Bergville to Ladysmith ultra-marathon that takes place on Saturday, 12 April. This is a great event with total road closure. The athletes will be camping on the field on the Friday night. With less than 60 days to Comrades, runners are now focusing on long runs with big mileage in March and April.
The official substitution for Comrades opened on 1 April. Athletes can download the substitution forms from the Comrades website.
Races for April that athletes can still enter are the Chatsworth Freedom Marathon 52km on 27 April and RWFL 8x8km on 19 April. This is an opportunity for athletes to get in some extra mileage.
Toti AC juniors track and field athletes meet at Lords at 4.45pm Mondays to Fridays. Call Riaan on 078-457-1936. For senior strength training, meet at Lords 5pm on Tuesdays or call Cecil on 079-895-4323. Time trials (8km and 4km) are on Wednesdays at Lords at 6pm. Saturday’s 11km run starts at 6am and the club long run at 5am. Runners are to wear club vest and black shorts for visibility on long runs.
Walkers training is Mondays and Tuesdays at 4.30pm, Wednesdays at 5.30pm and Thursdays at 4.30pm.
For any walkers information, call Cornell.
Contact chairman Des van der Merwe on 082-806-0348 or Renier Fouche on 084-504-9808 or go to www.totiac.co.za for club information. If you are a club member or plan to join, meet up with coach Cecil Clarke for training and advice about Comrades and ultra-marathons.
Amanzimtoti AC had five athletes who took part in the 2014 ASA sub-youth, youth and junior champs that were held in Stellenbosch from 3 to 5 April. The club’s athletes did very well against some tough competition from other provinces. Anele Blake won got the only medal when she won a silver in the 1,000m medley relay, anchoring the 400m last lap. She also finished third in her 400m heat, but unfortunately didn’t qualify for the final.
Lisha van Onselen finished a creditable 6th in a very competitive youth girls 1,500m final. Wikus Herbst finished ninth in the youth boys 800m final, which was a fast and very competitive race. Dwayne Trollip made it into the semi-final for youth boys 400m and in the process, ran a personal best of 50.27. It was unfortunately not good enough to make the final.
Hlengiwe Zuma took part in the youth girls 3,000m and 1,500m. It was a good learning experience for these athletes to compete aginst the best in their respective age groups. This event also concludes the track and field season and the club’s athletes will now start focusing on the cross-country season.
