South African Ernst van Dyk wins Boston Marathon in his wheelchair

South African wheelchair athlete Ernst van Dyk won the Boston Marathon last Monday, 20 April, to continue a remarkable record of success in the prestigious race. It was his eighth win in nine years.

The Boston Herald, in its report on the race, appropriately headlined its story “Van Dyk an eighth wonder”. He won his first Boston Marathon in 2001 and since then has taken victory every year except for 2007, when he finished in third place.

His time of one hour, 33 minutes and 29 seconds was his slowest winning time yet – a long way off his amazing world record time of one hour, 18 minutes and 27 seconds in 2004 – but a strong headwind put paid to any thoughts of a fast race.

Equalled record

Van Dyk’s victory, nonetheless, pulled him level with Irishwoman Jean Driscoll’s record of eight victories in the Boston Marathon. Driscoll won the race from 1990 to 1996 and again in 2000.

He moved clear of his challengers after about five kilometres, but the ever increasing strength of the wind concerned the South African star, whose preparations for the race had been hampered by injuries, as well as by the birth of a daughter.

Van Dyk remained strong, however, and went on to claim victory by over three minutes over 2007 champion, Masazumi Soejima of Japan, who finished in one hour, 36 minutes and 57 seconds.

The Japanese star said after the race that he had been troubled by the wind, and vowed to put on weight so that he could challenge the heavier Van Dyk.

Schabort fourth

Spain’s Roger Paigbo Verdaguer finished 50 seconds later in 1:37:47, while former South African Krige Schabort, now an American citizen, was the top local racer, ending in fourth place in 1:38:06.

The 36-year-old Van Dyk, who won gold in the road race at the 2008 Beijing Paralympic Games, says he will contest the Boston Marathon at least one more time; he wants to be the sole owner of the most victories in the history of the event.

Colleen De Reuck

Colleen de Reuck, who competed in three Olympic Games for South Africa, including the marathon in 1992 and 2000, before becoming an American citizen, excelled in the Masters division of the women’s marathon.

Now 45 years of age, De Reuck led the race until eight kilometres from the end. She eventually settled for eighth place in a time of 2:35:37, a minute and 13 seconds ahead of the second Masters’ finisher Alina Ivanova of Russia, who finished in tenth place.

Victory in the women’s race went to Kenya’s Salina Kosgei in 2:32:16. Ethiopia’s Dire Tune finished just a second behind her, while third place went to the USA’s Kara Goucher a further eight seconds back.

Deriba Merga of Ethiopia, fourth in the Beijing Olympics, captured the men’s title in 2:08:42. Kenya’s Daniel Rono finished in second place 50 seconds later, while Ryan Hall of the USA took third place eight seconds later.

Race history

The Boston Marathon is the world’s oldest annual marathon, having first been held in 1897, and it is also one of the world’s most famous races. It regularly attracts fields of about 20 000 competitors, but the record is almost double that at 38 000 in the centenary year of the race.

Wheelchair competition in the Boston Marathon began in 1975, when one entrant entered and completed the race.

12890 Entries for Comrades Marathon 2009

The CMA is proud to announce that the final number for this years race is 12890. We are ecstatic at the fact that there has been a significant increase in the final number this year as from the previous 4 years. A 17% increase in entrants this year is testament that Road Running, Marathon Running and in particular, the Comrades Marathon is in a healthy position.

Of the 12890 entrants, there are:

130: International Runners – Woman
460: International Runners – Men
2120: South Africa Runners – Woman
10180: South Africa Runners – Men

From the 12890 entries 2404 runners are Novices, (first time Comrades Marathon runners).

Two Oceans Marathon 2009 results

Foreigners once again dominated the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town on Saturday, with John Wachira of Kenya and Elena Nurgalieva of Russia claiming the men’s and women’s wins respectively in the 56-kilometre ultra-marathon.

Zimbabwe’s Marco Mambo, after wins in 2004, 2005, and 2008, was the man to watch, with his previous record of success. His win in 2008 was the fourth in five years for Zimbabweans; Moses Njodzi won in 2006, while Bethuel Netshifhefhe won for South Africa in 2007.

Like a wise veteran

Wachira, meanwhile, was contesting the Two Oceans Marathon for the first time, but the man from the famed Rift Valley, ran the race like a wise veteran, timing his run perfectly to catch Mambo near the end and pass him with the finish in sight.

He crossed the finishing line in three hours, 10 minutes and six seconds, with Mambo in second place 46 seconds behind him. Third place went to Mpesela Ntlotsoeu. Butiki Jantjies, in sixth, led the South African challenge.

The Nurgalieva twins were the hot favourites to win the women’s race. Elena had previously won it twice, in 2004 and 2005, while Olesya’s win in 2008 was in the second fastest time ever recorded in the race, 3:34:53, trailing only the record set by Frith van der Merwe in 1989 of 3:30:36.

Comfortable and enjoyable

Running together, the sisters ran what they described as their most comfortable and enjoyable Two Oceans ever.

They finished in 3:40:43, their slowest time yet in the event, but enough for a huge margin of 18 minutes over third placed Samukeliso Moyo of Zimbabwe.

Maybe they were saving something for the Comrades Marathon, which has been moved forward this year so as not to clash with the Fifa Confederations Cup. It takes place on 24 May.

While the Nurgalieva twins opted to contest the Two Oceans Marathons, a number of other leading runners chose to skip it because of the limited five-week break between the country’s two leading ultra-marathons.

SA’s best

South Africa’s best performer was Farwa Mentoor, who claimed fourth place in 15 seconds less than four hours, while Adinda Kruger ended fifth in 4:03:36.

Mentoor has been South Africa’s most consistent ultra-marathon performer for many years now. Before Riana van Niekerk finished sixth in the 2008 Comrades Marathon, two places ahead of her, Mentoor had been South Africa’s leading runner for six consecutive years.

Stephen Mokoka was the sole South African to be crowned champion. He captured line honours in the men’s half-marathon, finishing eight seconds ahead of runner-up Wirimai Juwawo in 63:42. Lusapho April was third in 63:55.

Namibia’s Helaria Johannes won the women’s half-marathon in 73:34. Over two minutes behind her, Mamarolla Tjoka claimed second place, with Tabitha Tsatsa in third. Annerien van Schalkwyk, in fourth, was the leading South African.

RESULTS

MEN 56-KILOMETRE ULTRA

1. John Wachira 3:10:06, 2. Marco Mambo 3:10:52, 3. Mpesela Ntlotsoeu 3:11:56, 4. Stephen Muzhingi 3:12:05, 5. Henry Moyo 3:12:23, 6. Butiki Jantjies 3:13:53, 7. Modibe Mamabolo 3:14:43, 8. Lephetesang Adora 3:15:48, 9. Melikhaya Sithuba 3:16:40, 10. Sipho Ncube 3:17:11

WOMEN 56-KILOMETRE ULTRA

1. Elena Nurgalieva 3:40:43, 2. Olesya Nurgalieva 3:40:43, 3. Samukeliso Moyo 3:58:47, 4. Farwa Mentoor 3:59:45, 5. Adinda Kruger 4:03:36, 6. Suzette Botha 4:05:28, 7. Joanna Thomas 4:08:41, 8. Jane Madau 4:10:06, 9. Ursula Frans 4:10:35, 10. Maya Lawrie 4:13:12

MEN HALF-MARATHON

1. Stephen Mokoka 63:42, 2. Wirimai Juwawo 63:50, 3. Lusapho April 63:55, 4. Enos Matalane 64:14, 5. Elmore Sibanda 65:02, 6. Tshamano Setone 65:08, 7. Lindikhaya Mthangayi 65:15, 8. Boy Soke 65:18, 9. Samuel Pazanga 65:24, 10. Zolani Ntongana 65:27

WOMEN HALF-MARATHON

1. Helaria Johannes 73:34, 2. Mamarolla Tjoka 75:43, 3. Tabitha Tsatsa 77:10, 4. Annerien van Schalkwyk 77:23, 5. Kim Laxton 78:43, 6. Jenna Chellenor 79:22, 7. Ronel Thomas 80:08, 8. Ntombesintu Ntshiliza 80:24, 9. Alae Brand 80:24, 10. Janene Carey 80:41

CMA vindicated in Shvetsov case

After the 2007 Comrades Marathon, Leonid Shvetsov, the reigning Comrades Marathon Champion and holder of both the Up and Down run records respectively for the race, instituted a legal claim against the CMA for allegedly reneging on the incentive offered for setting a new record.

20 Facts about the Comrades Marathon you might not know

There are some important and not-so-important facts about the Comrades Marathon that you should know:

1. Gold medals are awarded to the first 10 men and women finishers.
2. Silver medals are awarded to athletes who finish from position 11 to those finishing in under 7 hours 30 minutes.
3. The Bill Rowan medal of silver and bronze is awarded to thoses athletes who complete the race between 7 hours 30 minutes and 9 hours.
4. Bronze medals are awarded to athletes who finish the race in a time of between 9 hours and 11 hours.
5. Copper medals – known as the Vic Clapham medal – go to those athletes who finish the race between 11 and 12 hours.
6. Entrants who have completed 25 Comrades Marathons run for free.
7. To prevent cheating, runners must use a digital technology called Championchips, which they lace into their running shoes. The Championchips have a unique code that is recorded at reading mats placed regularly along the route.
8. The minimum age requirement is that competitors must turn 20 in the year of the race.
9. All runners must pre-qualify for the Comrades by running in an officially recognised race.
10. Entry forms for the Comrades Marathon are sent to every runner who competed in the most recent event. They are also available in sports stores and at running clubs in South Africa, while online entries can be obtained from the Comrades website.
11. South African competitors must be licensed members of clubs affiliated to Athletics South Africa.
12. The men’s “down run” record was set by Leonid Shvetsov in 2007 in a time of 5:20.49.
13. The women’s “down run” record was set by Frith van der Merwe in 1989 in a time of 5:54.07.
14. The men’s “up run” record also belongs to Leonid Shvetsov with a time of 5:24.48, run in 2008.
15. The women’s “up run” record belongs to Elena Nurgalieva with a time of 6:09.23, run in 2006.
16. A figurine of Hermes weighing 100 ounces of gold is on offer to the athlete who manages to better the record.
17. The first South African man and woman to finish each receive a gold statue of Hermes weighing 25 ounces.
18. In 2008, Dave Rogers completed his 43rd Comrades Marathon. He was met at the finish line by Clive Crawley, with whom he had shared the previous record for the most completed Comrades Marathons.
19. The Comrades website allows people to check the history of any runner in the race simply by entering that person’s surname.
20. Comrades Marathon House at 18 Connaught Street, Scottsville, Pietermaritzburg, houses the Comrades Marathon Museum that includes photographs of former winners and an accurate scale model of the Comrades Marathon route.

Comrades Marathon at gamble?

Following the allegations on Friday 27 March 2009 by the Daily News that the Comrades Marathon may have to be scrapped this year, and the subsequent Official Press Release from the CMA the same day.

The CMA and KZNCU Management had fruitful discussions on Saturday 28 March 2009 in order to explore the various solutions for both parties, as how to best accommodate both events, namely the Comrades Marathon and the IPL fixtures. KZNCU will not be hosting a semi final and or final of the IPL tournament, the problem arose with regards to the regular IPL fixtures and the CMA requiring Sahara Kingsmead Stadium for a 3 week period for set up of the finish area prior to the 24 May 2009.

The outcome of the discussions was extremely positive. Both parties agreed to hold emergency talks with their respective clients and or suppliers on Monday 30 March 2009. The CMA is required to determine whether it would be possible to set up the finish area at the stadium within 3 days and what would be required of, and from the suppliers to make this possible. This would require a massive effort from the CMA suppliers, sponsors, contractors and volunteers. Discussions are currently underway with all role-players.

The CMA and KZNCU will be meeting during the course of this week to advise on their discussions, in order to determine a resolution whereby each party will be satisfied.

The manner in which this issue has been dealt with between CMA and KZNCU is testament to the excellent relationship that exists between the two organizations.

The media will be advised as to the outcome of the meetings as a matter of urgency.

Travel and run

Running as part of a vacation has seen strong growth in recent years. Individuals wanting to complete marathons in different cities, states, or countries can do so with the numerous marathons offered all over the world. Companies operate tours that take traveling marathoners around the globe.

Marathons are not the only option for running on a vacation – both endurance races and shorter distance runs are also possible. Run the World operates interesting culture/running tours to international destinations, and allows a traveller to run, but still soak in a large part of culture, which is often missed on a marathon trip.

What are the running habits? Do you run your home track or do you enjoy more running and getting to know new areas? What are your plans for the months coming up? Please comment. We will shortly start to profile the best runs around the world and specially here in South Africa

Grace de Oliveira retires from Comrades Marathon

Grace de Oliveira an exceptional athlete and a true Comrades Marathon legend broke the news today to the CMA that she has retired from Ultra Distance running.

Grace DeOliveira (47), who has consistently finished and competed for top honours each Comrades Marathon since 1999, will not be competing in the 2009 Comrades Marathon. Grace has always done herself, her family, KZN, and South Africa proud, finishing 7 times in the top 10, and only 3 times out the top 10 woman. Grace had her best result in 1999 when she finished in second place in a time of 06:34:53. Grace has 7 Gold Medals and 3 silver. Grace has always been a top contender for Comrades.

Grace gave 10 years of her running career to the Comrades Marathon and Ultra Marathons. She is a highly competitive runner and stated that she “loves Comrades” but would prefer to concentrate on the shorter distances.

“At the start of the 2008 Comrades Marathon, I had already decided that this would be my last Comrades Marathon, and that I would do the best I could.” “I am very happy with my decision to retire from the Ultra distance running but will still be running the shorter races.”

Grace also urged all runners that had still not made up the minds to enter the 2009 race to do so by the 31 March 2009.

Grace has achieved the following Comrades Marathon results

Year                 Position           Medal
1999                 2                      Gold
2000                 3                      Gold
2001                 7                      Gold
2002                 6                      Gold
2003                 11                     Silver
2004                 8                      Gold
2005                 13                     Silver
2006                 10                     Gold
2007                 10                     Gold
2008                 13                     Silver

Two Oceans Marathon Auctions Entries for charity

As part of their fundraising efforts, the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon will be auctioning half marathon entries and ultra entries, complete with A seedings, to participants with the highest bids.

There are 10 half marathon and 5 ultra marathon entries up for grabs and bidding will open at R750 on Friday, March 6 at 10h00, two days after entries close, providing those participants who missed the entry deadline with a chance to get an entry. Winning bids will also get a PUMA hamper consisting of running shoes and T-shirt. All funds raised will go towards helping the event’s official charity NOAH (Nurturing Orphans of AIDS for Humanity).

According to Frank Brooks, sponsorship manager for Old Mutual: “We were looking for a novel way to raise money for the event’s official charity NOAH. The auction provides a select few people with a chance to start up front with the top runners and support a worthy cause at the same time.”

A section 21 company, NOAH started in 2000 in response to the realisation that South Africa faced a future filled with a staggering number of orphaned children from the impact of AIDS.  It is estimated that there are more than 1.7 million orphaned and vulnerable children and this is expected to reach 2.5 million by 2015 because of HIV/AIDS.

Last year the event raised R212 596 for NOAH and these funds were used to establish and support the many Arks that the charity has developed to meet the needs of those orphaned by the HIV/AIDS pandemic.

This auction is open to all those participants who have already entered and those who missed the entry deadline and are looking for an entry. Those participants who have already entered will have their current seeding upgraded to an A seeding. The bidding opens at R750 at www.oldmutual.co.za/twooceansmarathon and will close on Monday, March 9 at 17h00. Winners will be announced on a daily basis following the previous day’s auction. Winners will be announced on the website.

Two Oceans Marathon will go over Chapman’s Peak!

The Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon race office has received confirmation from the Western Cape Provincial Government that Chapman’s Peak will be open for the race on Saturday, April 11. 2009. The decision was made late last week following a meeting between race organisers and provincial government.

Said race director Rowyn James:  “This certainly is welcome news for us and the City of Cape Town as the traditional route over the scenic drive is a major attraction for upcountry and international visitors, as well as the locals and means that the event has potential to attract record fields across all the distances.”

Entries are already up, particularly for the half marathon, which has 65 more entrants compared to last year at the same time and the race office is expecting to reach the maximum 11 000 entry mark before the closing date of March 4.  Ultra entries traditionally come in at a slower rate as many of the runners still need to run their qualifying events during February and early March.

This year sees the event celebrate its 40th birthday as well as 10 years with Old Mutual as the title sponsor.  Over the years, this truly Capetonian event has earned the reputation as the world’s most beautiful marathon.  The 26 runners who lined up to face the challenge back in 1970 probably had no idea they were starting something that has become a national institution and a favourite with local, upcountry, and international athletes.

The event attracts in the region of 26 000 participants across the ultra, half marathon and the fun runs, with 60 of the field coming from outside the Western Cape or overseas. It provides participants with a mixture of breathtaking scenery, a gruelling test of fitness for both the elite and recreational runner, and an unrivalled race organisation and atmosphere.

Fun Run Challenge at Two Oceans Marathon

Over 600 children took part in the first of the Old Mutual Two Oceans Fun Run Challenges on Saturday, February 7, at Downville Primary in Manenberg.  This was the second year the event was held in Manenberg and the schools with the most participants were Downville, Red River and Rio Grande Primary.

The 4 km fun run, organised by Farnese and Top Form Athletic Clubs, was won by Redah Abrahams in the boys event and Rowena Wilson in the girls event – both pupils at Downville Primary.  The top fifteen boys and girls win free entry to the main fun runs on Good Friday, April 10, as well as transport to and from the event.

The fun run challenges are a collaboration between Western Province Athletics, local running clubs and the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon to promote the main fun runs on Good Friday, to develop race organising skills and to encourage and increase participation.  These events will also be used to identify and develop the talent that exists in the local schools.  The remaining challenges are scheduled for February 21 in Mitchells Plain, March 7 in Blue Downs and March 14 in Khayelitsha.

Entries for the Old Mutual Two Oceans fun runs will be handed out at the challenges.  The main fun runs on Easter Friday are open to everyone and runners’ friends, family members and supporters, especially the children, are all welcome to join in the fun and experience the event spirit.  There is loads of fun for the whole family and participants can choose from a 56 m Nappy Dash for kids under 3 years, a 300 m Toddlers’ Trot for kids aged 4 to 6 years, a 2.5 km and a 5 km.  Entry forms for the main fun runs will be available at the Expo at the Good Hope Centre and on the UCT rugby fields on Friday, April 10

For more information contact 021-699 0615, email funrun@twooceansmarathon.org.za or visit www.twooceansmarathon.org.za or www.wpa.org.za

Comrades Marathon prepares 89.3km route for runners

The Comrades Marathon Association has confirmed that there will be no changes to the route for the Comrades Marathon “down run” which will be run on Sunday 24 May 2009.

It will be run on precisely the same route as the most recent “down run” in 2007 in which Leonid Shvetsov set a new best time of 5:20:41 for the “down run” having shattered Bruce Fordyce’s 21-year old previous best time of 5:24:07 set in 1986,

The distance for 2009 is confirmed as 89.3km.

Comrades Marathon has seen the implementation of numerous route changes since the race was first run on Thursday 24 May 1921, with the distance of the race having varied by as much as 5km from shortest to longest during the course of its history.

The earliest Comrades Marathons were run alternately between the City Halls of Pietermaritzburg and Durban, a distance estimated to have been approximately 56 miles.  The race was run largely on dirt roads, with the route passing through several gates and crossing at least one stream, while refreshments for the 30 – 100 competitors were provided by the few hotels situated on the route and supplemented by local farmers.

As population growth and development of the two cities and the rural areas between them progressed over a period of decades, the character and landscape of the province of KwaZulu-Natal obviously also changed dramatically.

Over the years, major and minor changes to the Comrades Marathon route consequently ensued – whether implemented as a natural outcome of infrastructural development, to alleviate traffic congestion, avoid temporary road construction or to accommodate the ever-increasing popularity of an event which grew to attract thousands of participants and hundreds of thousands of spectators.  Some changes were necessitated simply owing to the change of finishing venues.

From year to year, the exact route is subject to the outcome of negotiations conducted between CMA and traffic authorities.  In recent years there have been no changes implemented, with the route for the “down run” having stabilised at approximately 89km and the route for the “up run” at 87km.  The course is recognised as being extremely challenging in either direction, undulating with infamous hill climbs on both the “up” and “down runs”.

Comrades Marathon Race Director Renee Jordaan has confirmed that the organisers will be providing 48 refreshment stations for this year’s “down run” to cater for an anticipated 12,000 – 13,000 participants.  They will also provide extensive medical and emergency services, as well as a runners rescue service for those runners unable to complete the distance.

A reminder that the Closing Date for Entries is 31 March 2009.  Runners MUST submit their entries by Closing Date, but may still qualify up until 28 April.

On a historical note, according to Comrades Marathon “records”, the shortest Comrades Marathon run in recent years was an “up run” in 2002 measured at 86.5km and won by Vladimir Kotov in a time of 5:30:59.   The longest was a “down run” in 1982 measured at 91.4km and won by Bruce Fordyce in a time of 5:34:22.