Latest news with #Frans
The Herald
17 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Frans, Solomons set hot pace in icy weather to claim 21.1km titles
The half-marathon and 10km races started simultaneously, which allowed him to feed off the pace set by clubmates Sinawo Poti and Lithobe Menzeleleli, who were both competing in the shorter distance. The trio, along with Motwana, stayed together until the 5km mark when Poti surged ahead to solo to victory. 'Once I reached the halfway turning point, the wind was behind me and I was able to push for a sub-66-minute finish,' Frans said. The Ikhamva ace now turns his attention to Saturday's Bay West 10km, where he is the defending champion. 'I'm hoping to clock a fast time there. That's the challenge I choose to set for myself,' he said. In the women's race, Solomons was equally unfazed by the weather and delighted to notch up another title. 'I came into this race determined to win it again,' the slightly built Nedbank athlete said. 'I don't have much resistance against the wind due to my size and I just focused on giving my best.' Starting alongside the 10km runners allowed her to establish a strong early rhythm. 'I ran with some of the men I train with — Melikhaya Keep, Abdul Wicomb and Jermain Wilson — and my cross-country training really helped.' She led the women's field after 4km and, though slightly concerned about the slippery surface, was able to hold her pace throughout. Solomons paid tribute to her coach, Luvuyo Stephen, whom she said did 'so much behind the scenes' and played a 'big role in helping me stay competitive'. Madibaz Sport athletics manager Bernard Petersen said the elements affected the turnout but he was happy with the outcome. 'There was growth in the 10km, and the 5km fun run attracted a good number of runners, probably as a result of the park runs.' The Personal Best Bell was a popular innovation. 'It was a big hit,' Petersen said. 'Runners were queuing up to ring the bell after obtaining their PBs.' He said the feedback had been extremely positive, which augured well for 2026. Leading results: Half-marathon: Men: 1 Melikhaya Frans (Ikhamva) 1:05:34, 2 Andile Motwana (Nedbank) 1:07:26, 3 Sicelo Mashaba (Madibaz) 1:10:04. Women: Refeloe Solomons (Nedbank) 1:22:39, 2 Bianca Meistre (32GI) 1:26:27, 3 Kaitlyn Wolff (Achilles) 1:33:55. 10km: Men: Sinawo Poti (Ikhamva) 30:42, 2 Lithobe Menzeleleli (Ikhamva) 31:04, 3 Mxoleleni Tabata (Achilles) 32:00. Women: 1 Amanda Detshe (Madibaz) 38:54, Kayla van Rensburg (Charlo) 39:09, 3 Desnay O'Grady 41:18. — Full Stop Communications
Irish Independent
21-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Irish Independent
A delicious reimagining of baroque excesses updated for Instagram generation
Smock Alley Theatre production puts a modern twist with Irish gloss on Molière's 1666 comedy A Misanthrope Creating a version of Molière's 1666 comedy of manners for a contemporary audience is a challenge. A straight adaptation can feel museum-y. Yet reimagining for a modern context can feel forced. However, this version by American writer Matthew Minnicino, from 2016, is a tonic. The follies of high-society 17th-century France find a clever mirror in the Instagram generation. Director/designer duo Marc Atkinson Borrull and Molly O'Cathain, of Sugarglass Theatre, have also added a layer of Irish gloss to the piece. The show is set in a Dublin tech company called Frans. The misanthropic Alceste (Matthew Malone) cannot bear the falsity of business life and his home-truths verge on the abusive. He has got on the wrong side of the HR department because of biting criticisms of a fellow worker. Despite himself, Alceste is in love with Célimène (Emer Dineen), though he finds her false and untrustworthy.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Dutch Fanwalk arrives in 🇨🇭 with huge Lioness head atop iconic Orange Bus
The Netherlands' legendary Fanwalk is back, and it just rolled into Switzerland in style. As the Dutch Lionesses get ready to kick off their Euro 2025 campaign, the famous Orange Bus has officially arrived in Luzern, ready to lead the thousands-strong Fanwalks through the host cities once again. And this time, it's louder, brighter, and more orange than ever. Advertisement Just last week, long-time driver Frans was given a surprise he never saw coming. Former Netherlands international Anouk Hoogendijk greeted him aboard his fully revamped Oranje Bus: think cinema screen, DJ booth, disco lights, partycam, and a four-metre-tall inflatable lioness head on top of the iconic vehicle. 'Every year it gets bigger, louder, and more unbelievable,' said Frans. 'Now that we're here in Switzerland, it's time to turn things orange again, and show Europe how we support our team.' For over two decades, Frans and his team have been at the heart of the Dutch football party scene, leading crowds of fans to stadiums across Europe in what's become one of football's most iconic fan rituals. This year they support the Dutch Lionesses like never before. Advertisement The upgrade to the bus was made possible by Staatsloterij, a long-standing partner of the Royal Dutch Football Association KNVB. While the contribution of the Dutch state lottery made headlines back home, the real magic happens behind the bus. With the revamped bus now in place, the stage is set for another unforgettable summer of Dutch support.
The Herald
28-04-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Frans, Solomons triumph in Motherwell Freedom Run
Melikhaya Frans and Refeleo Solomons won the men's and women's 10km race in the Motherwell Freedom Run, which finished at the Raymond Mhlaba Sports Centre on Saturday. Ikhamva Athletics Club road runner Frans crossed the finish line in 29 minutes and 53 seconds. Andile Motwana of Nedbank Running Club finished second in 30:24, and Ikhamva's Sinawo Poti, 30:48 was third. 'People came in their numbers this year as compared to last year, so it was a beautiful race,' Frans said. 'I had a plan ahead of the race to win again this year, like when I won the race in three consecutive years. This is now my fourth Motherwell Freedom Run title. 'I think in the history of the race, I am the athlete who has won it the most times. 'The race was well organised, and the race is growing every year. I was also happy to see my training partner Sinawo finish in third place on Saturday, it's been nine years training together. 'The race was also part of my preparations for an upcoming international race that I'll be taking part in this year. So, winning the Motherwell Freedom Run on Saturday confirms to me that I am on the right track fitness-wise and speed-wise.' Frans did not want to give much information on his upcoming international itinerary. In the women's race, Nedbank Running Club's Solomons was the first home in 36:46. Kayla Nell of Charlo came second in 37:05, and Bianca Meistre of 32GI claimed third in 38:49. The Herald
