Watch: Richards Bay athlete races for 48-hour ultra-distance title in Poland
Richards Bay endurance athlete Marsha Muller is set to break her South African and African women's 48-hour running record.
According to the Zululand Observer, Muller is competing in the UltraPark 48-hour World Championships in Poland – the only competitor representing the African continent.
The event started at midday and draws to a close on Sunday afternoon.
Speaking to the Zululand Observer while en route to the opening ceremony, Muller said she was nervous, a bit anxious, but looking forward to the run.
'I just want it to start now!' she exclaimed.
Muller competed in the event in 2022 and 2023, tallying total distances of 267.5km and 272.8km respectively.
Visa delays prevented her from competing in last year's race.
This weekend, her goal is to surpass the 300km mark, breaking her own record and retaining her status as South African and African champion in this particular event.
Muller and her fellow competitors will run around a 1.7km track for 48 hours, racking up as many kilometres as they can.
Watch the video:
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
2 hours ago
- The South African
Mamelodi Sundowns to announce new deal
Mamelodi Sundowns defender Divine Lunga won't be changing his club colours anytime soon. The Betway Premiership champions have reportedly decided to keep the 30-year-old Zimbabwean for another year. Lunga made his dream move to the big time when he signed for Sundowns in July 2021 from fellow Premier Soccer League side Golden Arrows. Since then, Lunga, who plays his football as a left-back, has played 41 matches for Sundowns, which included three goals and eight assists. Divine Lunga pushes his limits at Chloorkop. Image: Masandawana/X. 'Mamelodi Sundowns have exercised the option in the contract of Zimbabwe international defender Divine Lunga till June 2026,' iDiski Times reported. 'Information gathered by this publication states that Sundowns exercised the option they had in Lunga's contract. He is expected to be with the club until June 2026 with his focus now firmly on the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA next month,' the report added. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
5 hours ago
- The Citizen
URC Result: Bulls arm-wrestle into semi-finals through 11-try thriller against Edinburgh
The Bulls recovered during the second half of their quarter-final, scoring six tries against Edinburgh's five. Bulls No 8 Cameron Hanekom scores a try against Ediburgh during their quarter-final at Loftus. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images The Bulls recovered from an error-strewn first half to hold onto their perfect record against Edinburgh at Loftus (three out of three) and knock them out of the United Rugby Championship in the quarter-finals. The Bulls won 42–33 on Saturday to progress into the semi-finals next weekend thanks to six tries to Edinburgh's five. Edinburgh scored three of their tries in the first half, capitalising on a Sebastian de Klerk yellow card and missed opportunities from the Pretoria side. But they could not follow their 21–18 lead at the break, as the Bulls scored three unanswered tries early in the second half to arm-wrestle momentum back. This means the Bulls will play against either the Sharks or Munster next weekend, while the Bulls and Edinburgh are tied 3–3 head-to-head with each side taking the honours at home. Bulls director of rugby Jake White will feel especially happy with the win against his former understudy, Sean Everitt, after the Bulls narrowly lost their Challenge Cup quarter-final against Edinburgh last month. During the URC quarter-final, Bulls winger Canan Moodie wore the number 24 jersey instead of 14, in honour of the late Cornal Hendricks. Edinburgh get an early start Edinburgh snatched momentum early on after Bulls winger Sebastian de Klerk received a yellow card in the second minute for tackling a player off the ball. It allowed Edinburgh an easy 22 entry and an overlap try from South African-born Wes Goosen two minutes later. The Bulls put their first points on the board after a tricky penalty kick (taken by Keagan Johannes) after Edinburgh took a man out in the lineout. But Edinburgh came back immediately afterwards with a try from their own flyhalf, Ross Thompson. The Bulls responded, bringing the crowd back to life just before the end of the first quarter with a try from No 8 Cameron Hanekom, running around defenders after a 5m lineout. Edinburgh extended their lead to 13 points with another converted try from Thompson in the 28th minute. But Kriel reduced that lead, finishing the move after a beautiful line break by Willie le Roux, before Harold Vorster cut it down even further with a try next to the touchline in the 34th minute. David Kriel, given postal duties after Johannes failed to slot the first two conversions, missed the conversion as well. 21–18 at half-time. Bulls turn the game on its head The Bulls had a perfect start to the second half, Canan Moodie scoring on the sideline to give the Pretoria side the lead for the first time. This was followed by tries from Johannes and Ruan Nortje. These were all converted by Johannes to make it 39–21 and turn the game on its head by the 52nd minute. The Scottish side responded with a converted try from hooker Ewan Ashman while JF van Heerden received a yellow card. A Johannes penalty a minute helped the Bulls, but Edinburgh reduced their deficit with try from Goosen. 42–33 to the Bulls going into the final 15 minutes. A Thompson yellow card made it difficult for Edinburgh to find momentum again and they could not win possesssion at the end. Scorers Bulls: Tries– Cameron Hanekom, David Kriel, Harold Vorster, Canan Moodie, Keagan Johannes, Ruan Nortje. Conversions – Keagan Johannes 3/5, David Kriel 0/1. Penalties – Johannes 2/2. Drop-goals – . Edinburgh: Tries – Wes Goosen (2), Ross Thompson (2), Ewan Ashman. Conversions – Ross Thompson 4/4, Mark Bennett 0/1. Penalties – . Drop-goals – .
IOL News
5 hours ago
- IOL News
The merger of KZN's Gold Circle and Cape Racing has birthed Race Coast.
The merger of Gold Circle's operations in KwaZulu-Natal and Cape Racing from the Western Cape has given rise to an exciting new entity known as Race Coast. Founded under the auspices of the uMhlanga-based South African sports betting company Hollywoodbets, this collaboration has been met with resounding support from the nation's leading horse trainers, who believe it represents a bright future for the sport. Prominent South African champion trainer Justin Snaith, along with the globally-renowned horse racing ambassador Mike de Kock and accomplished trainer Dean Kannemeyer, have publicly endorsed Race Coast. Their collective enthusiasm highlights a refreshing wave of optimism within the racing community. The Cape Town-based Snaith emphasised that this initiative promises not only to elevate the standards of racing but also to foster a deeper connection between the sport and its fans. He reflected on the initial success in his province of a similar initiative, RaceCape, initiated by Cape Racing and Hollywoodbets. Snaith is celebrating a half-century of KZN winter season assaults for the famous family operation. His father Chris, still a key member of their team, first raided with a string from the Cape in 1975. 'That structure has proven a tremendous success! It has not only boosted ownership and field sizes in the Western Cape but has also provided trainers with additional funding to enhance their operations. "Now we mark the historic beginnings of Race Coast, which is another generous initiative by Hollywoodbets, aimed at promoting ownership in KwaZulu-Natal and the Cape while boosting the horse population,' said at the launch of Race Coast. Snaith reminded us of the past, recalling that many feared that horse racing in South Africa might not survive after the COVID-19 pandemic. 'However, the dedicated efforts of a few individuals have not only saved the sport but have also paved the way for an exciting future. It is a future that we can shape and reinvent, making it better for all stakeholders involved. "Race Coast marks the beginning of something special for the province and the future of horse racing in South Africa. On behalf of all our owners, staff, and horses, we want to express our sincere gratitude,' he concluded. Mike de Kock, hailed as one of the great trainers of his generation, echoed this sentiment. He expressed confidence that Race Coast would invigorate South African racing and attract a new generation of enthusiasts, emphasising the intrinsic value of promoting racing as both an entertainment platform and a cultural cornerstone. De Kock, who recently joined forces with his son Mathew in a training partnership, said: 'De Kock Racing has been around for a long time, but as a new training partnership, Mathew and I are excited to be involved with the innovators behind Race Coast. "We have already seen the evidence of their vision and commitment, and we have positioned ourselves to grow with them. We look forward to what the future holds.' Three-time Hollywoodbets Durban July winning trainer Kannemeyer said a refreshing wave of enthusiasm and hope have been felt tangibly in the horse racing fraternity. 'The improvement and upliftment have been in bricks and mortar, communication, and incentives and stakes across the spectrum in the Cape, and looking at the rejuvenated Hollywoodbets Greyville landscape. It is a revelation and a passion-driven work-in-progress, in simple terms," he said. "The Hollywoodbets Team have made a difference in a short time, and one gets a very warm feeling that the sport is in good hands. We are all united under the flag of future prosperity, and, on behalf of our owners and the DKR team, I extend sincere onward and upward best wishes to Race Coast.'
