Latest news with #BenoniNorthernsAthleticClub
The Citizen
27-05-2025
- Health
- The Citizen
Northerns runner dedicates her eighth Comrades to child battling leukaemia
Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) member and Ashton International College teacher, Robyn Daniel, will dedicate her eighth Comrades Marathon on June 8 to leukaemia patient Zishan Reddy. Moved by the Grade Three learner's strength in the face of such a daunting journey, Robyn will run the 89km down-run from Pietermaritzburg to Durban in honour of the youngster, who is facing his second battle with the disease. 'Zishan is awaiting a bone marrow transplant and his strength has moved me deeply. His mom and sister are incredibly brave and watching their quiet courage unfold daily has inspired me to act,' Robyn said. She described Zishan as a 'true warrior' who, despite undergoing maintenance chemotherapy, attends school and still enjoys his soccer practice and matches for Ashton. 'His sister, Thuraya, is a ray of sunshine in my class. She is a beautifully mannered young lady and always so positive. Their mom, Goolshun, is also a pillar of strength who shows much strength and courage. 'They are an inspirational family who will be in my heart while running the Comrades Marathon this year and hopefully give me the extra push when I need it.' Robyn is a seasoned runner. She made her Comrades debut in the 2012 down run, finishing in 10:54:26 for a bronze medal. She added another bronze in 2015 and a Vic Clapham medal in 2016, before breaking the 10-hour barrier for the first time in the 2018 down-run, when she clocked 09:56:10 for her third bronze. Her performance in 2018 set the runner for two successive Robert Mtshali medals in 2019 and 2022, before finishing under nine hours for the first time in last year's up-run when she crossed the line in a PB 08:56:32 for her first Bill Rowan medal. Robyn stated they are still searching for a bone marrow match for Zishan and urged community members to assist the learner. 'Ashton College is making it easier for anyone interested by hosting a Stem Cell Donor drive on May 30, from 9am to 3pm. It is a simple swab test of your inner cheek. 'Alternatively, register on and everything gets sent to you at no charge,' said Robyn. Through Rainbows and Smiles, they have created a crowdfunding campaign where all donations will go to bone marrow research. To help, go to Also Read: SA Bone Marrow Registry to name a star after donor in stellar campaign Also Read: Hundred years of female participation in the Comrades Marathon At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
02-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Mmotlana and Westner win inaugural MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon
Modderbee Prison warder Lesiba Mmotlana and Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) runner Alexandra Westner emerged victorious in the men's and women's 42.2km races at the inaugural MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon on May 1. Mmotlana clinched the men's race ahead of Lucky Morajane and Happy Vuyo, while Westner beat Pertonella Khumalo and Sheree Rogers to the women's title. Men's race The Correctional Services RC runner was overwhelmed with emotions when talking to the media after his victory, saying that it was his first-ever marathon victory. 'It's my first time winning a race. Thanks to Ben Maluleka for pacing me in the first lap. I missed good times in marathons last year. I was on a program to achieve six consecutive sub-three-hour marathons. I achieved it today. That's why I'm emotional,' he said. ALSO READ: Runners give Carnival City Marathon route a thumbs up The athlete led the men's race early on but realised at the halfway point that he was in the lead. He ran the first 13km in 50:05, before covering the next 21km in 01:24:44. He then ran the remaining 8km in 38:09, eventually breaking the tape in 02:52:57, shattering his marathon record of 02:55:32 achieved at last year's Sanlam Cape Town Marathon by 02:35. 'I'm so excited. I'm now looking forward to the Comrades. I hope to achieve a back-to-back silver medal,' said Mmotlana. Morajane was 04:08 off the pace after finishing second in 02:57:05 and Vuyo completed the top three 19 seconds after the Team Eish runner. Women's race Victory was the furthest thing on Westner's mind when she stood at the starting line. She was targeting a Comrades Marathon C seeding and maintained an average pace of 05:08min/km in the first half of the double-lapper race. She breezed through the first 13km in 01:06:23 in third place before taking the lead and completing the next 21km in 01:47:54. Westner increased her pace to 5:09min/km in the last 8km to eventually breast the tape in 03:38:58. 'I'm extremely happy. The first place is honestly a bonus. I was going for my Comrades C seeding. A win makes my heart happy. It was a good race, well-organised and it had such a good vive at the water stations,' she said. The runner-up Khumalo of Run Zone crossed the line in 03:41:05, while the Boksburg Athletic Club's (BAC) Sheree Rogers finished 14 seconds behind in 03:41:19. Half-marathon Kabelo Mwahla and Deneke Snyman clocked 01:10:32 and 01:37:29, respectively, to win the men's and women's 21.1km races. Qhubeka AC's Mwahla beat the BAC's Maphuti Majetja, who clocked 01:10:36 for second place, and Desmond Makola (01:17:13) to the title. Alberton Athletic Club's Snyman finished 01:44 ahead of runner-up Claudia Figueira of Bedfordview Athletic Club, with Figueira's teammate, Veronica Warmington, third in 01:43:00. Tshiamo Sedumedi, the MD of the headline sponsor, MNS Attorneys, expressed gratitude to the over 1 800 runners who participated in the race. 'Kudos to Mamepe Striders and the MNS team that put this together. It was well-organised. It was our first race. We were test driving. We'll go back to the drawing board to see what else can be done to improve the race. The intention is to have this partnership with Mamepe for as long as possible,' he said. ALSO READ: In Pictures: BNAC Marathon a winner for the community! At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
