Latest news with #Hamlett
IOL News
03-06-2025
- Health
- IOL News
Hamlett looking add to his galaxy of Comrades champions
JOHN HAMLETT 's passion for the Comrades Marathon is contagious. Spend time in the former South Africa Defence Colonel's presence and you suddenly find yourself wanting to lace-up for the grueling race between the KwaZulu/Natal cities of Durban and Pietermaritzburg. A renowned champion-producer who has run the race himself, he specializes in training athletes just to tackle The Ultimate Human Race. It's been a while since he had a runner be the first to breast the finish line tape, but that has not dissuaded him from pushing on – Hamlett yet again taking a sizeable group of runners to the race taking place this weekend. 'We've got a good group Mats, and they are all ready to challenge for honours,' he says of the Pan African Resources Club (PAR) athletes who will line up among the elites at the start of the 98th running of this world famous ultra in front of the Pietermaritzburg City Hall early on Sunday. Leading the charge for glory will no doubt be the highly experienced Gordon Lesetedi, the three-time gold medalist who will be lining up for his 10th race. Out in the high-altitude, quaint small tourist town of Dullstroom which has served as Hamlett's base for cooking up Comrades Marathon champions – Lesetedi is the senior citizen following the retirement of 2015 king Gift Kelehe. And he always leads by example during the long and hard training runs Hamlett gets the athletes doing so they are ready on race day. I visited them a fortnight ago and they all looked lean and ready to hand Hamlett his fifth champion – eager to follow in the footsteps of Kelehe, his older brother Andrew as well as 2016 Down Run winner with a record David Gatebe plus Ann Ashworth. Lesetedi was in particularly high spirits, confident that he would eventually get that podium finish (top three) he has been chasing for years. 'Ke nako,' he tells me as we settle out in the suny backyard of the cozy little house they've called home for six weeks then. 'It might be the 10th race and I know that for a lot of runners the Green Number (given after you've completed the race 10 times) is special. But for me it is just like any other ace and I am going to give it my best. I've generally done well in the Down Run (From Maritzburg to Durban) and I believe I usually get it right.' His dream of the top three is yet to happen because he believes the Comrades Marathon is always dependent on what happens on race day. 'It is a very long race and you can say before the race that you are ready to win or to do well, but then things might go wrong on the day. I am confident I can do well this year because I believe I can break the 5:20 that I ran in 2023 and of course if I get that time, then I will definitely be in the top three. I think a 5:17 will be good enough to put you up there.' Lesetedi is experienced enough to know that the race only begins after the 60km mark and he figured that it is different from the past and unlike then, it is hard to break from the leading bunch early on in the race. Though yet to podium, the man from Sekhing in the North West – the home of the Kelehe brothers who are his role models and inspiration - looks back at his Comrades career with delight because 'my times are always improving with every race'. 'And for now, it is no longer just about the gold, we are going for the podium and the win. I've got the experience and I am coached by a man who knows how to win this thing.' Alongside Lesetedi in the black, gold and white colours of PAR will be a handful of young men with a bright future in ultra-running who have got Hamlett excited that he could produce a champion yet again – if not this year in the near future.. Gift Mokoena has been with Hamlett since after the Covid pandemic and has been gradually improving, so much so that he narrowly missed out on gold last year. 'I was in the top 10 when we got to Polly Shortts but I cramped a little and that's when I lost out on gold,' said the man from Bethlehem of his 13th place finish and he is confident he will do better this time around. He was particularly disappointed at missing out on a target he'd set himself when he got into ultra running: 'My goal was to get my first gold last year for it to coincide with my 40th birthday. But I missed out on that and it was very disappointing. But I am this guy who learns from my mistakes everytime and I now know exactly what to do to get that gold.' Inspired by Andrew Kelehe and 2003 champions Fusi Nhlapo – who was trained by Hamlett until shortly before the race – Mokoena says he has done everything right and is looking forward to making his coach, himself and family proud. Proud Chauke is a confident 31-year-old from Malamulele who wears his heart on his sleeve: 'I always run a race to win, all races. My mentality is always to win the race. According to the races I ran this year and what the coach has been telling me, I am confident that I will do very well this time. The coach has been telling me that I can win Comrades and I believe I can do it. I am going there to compete for a win.' Chauke also derives his confidence from his victory at the Border to Border ultra (between Mozambique and Swaziland) in a good time of 3:54 and even went on to finish second in the Balwin Marthon in Durban. With three Comrades Marathons to his name, Chauke says he owes himself a good race given that the previous ones were ran on injuries and that he also made some rookie mistakes in some of them – once pulling out of the lead bunch thinking they were going too fast and that he would catch them one by one. 'I was not aware that there were no longer hills after that and they left me and I just could not catch them. That was a painful lesson because if I had stuck with them I could have done very well. But I am experienced now and coach has taught me all the tricks and I am ready to run a PB. I have a 5:41 but this time I want a 5:20. It's a time that we believe can give me a podium finish if not a win.' Chauke wants to see the Comrades title going back to Limpopo to end the long drought given that the last time a runner from that province won was back in 2012 when Ludwick Mamabolo reigned supreme. The other athletes in Hamlett's group are Musa Zweni, Vuyo Hagiole as well as the roses among the thorns in Kelebogile Motshabi and Wanda Britz. Will any of them give Hamlett yet a nother win to cement his legacy as a Comrades Champion Coach?
Yahoo
28-02-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Animal experts sound alarm on unexpected impacts of LA wildfires: 'All just leveled'
Communities in Southern California are still reeling from the massive wildfires that destroyed more than 10,000 homes in the Los Angeles area. As people rebuild their lives, wildlife officials are telling residents to be on the lookout for injured animals that also lost their homes in the fires. As the Santa Monica-based radio station KCRW reported, Pasadena Humane has seen a considerable increase in animals, from birds to bobcats, that need rehabilitation after suffering severe burns. According to KCRW, the animal shelter has taken in at least 75 wild animals left without a habitat after the Eaton Fire in Altadena. While the animals slowly trickled in immediately after the fires, Pasadena Humane has recently seen a massive spike in bobcats, hawks, and other birds coming in with burned paws and talons, often malnourished and dehydrated. Pasadena Humane wildlife director Lauren Hamlett told KCRW that animals with burn injuries often can't hunt for food, making them particularly vulnerable after a wildfire, when food is already scarcer than usual. So far, the shelter has treated a peacock for burn injuries to its feathers and feet, a red-tailed hawk with burned talons and singed feathers, and many bobcats, which are common in the area. "Pretty much anything coming in now is going to be fire-related because it has affected our entire ecosystem, even the areas that weren't actually burned down," Hamlett said. In a Facebook post, Pasadena Humane explained that some of the bobcats brought in had suffered broken pelvises and other injuries from being hit by cars. Since the animals were forced into more heavily trafficked areas by the fires, it left them more susceptible to being struck by vehicles. We've been seeing a growing number of bobcats coming through our Sandra J. Goodspeed Wildlife Center due to the Eaton... Posted by Pasadena Humane on Sunday 2 February 2025 Another bobcat had arrived at the animal shelter with burns on all four paws and appeared emaciated, but the staff said she'd started eating and was being treated with medication. "We are hopeful for a full recovery for this beautiful animal," the post read. As KCRW explained, even animals that weren't directly impacted by the fires may breathe in ash containing harmful pollutants such as asbestos, lead, and heavy metals. The humane society had treated a skunk for an eye infection, likely caused by inhaling toxic chemicals or smoke. Even if animals tried to flee the area, the fires were so extensive that avoiding injury would've been difficult. Do you think your city has good air quality? Definitely Somewhat Depends on the time of year Not at all Click your choice to see results and speak your mind. "A lot of these animals are urban wildlife that take refuge underneath people's houses or behind composts or under sheds or things like that — in the urban environment. And now that's all just leveled," Hamlett explained to KCRW. While the exact causes of the devastating wildfires have not been determined, experts say dry conditions and powerful winds increased the risk of a fire outbreak. Climate scientist Daniel Swain told NBC News that our warming climate provides the perfect fuel for fire weather, especially in Southern California, which is already naturally susceptible to wildfires. According to National Geographic, our overheating planet made the L.A. fires 35% more likely, and if we don't take major steps to cool Earth, wildfires in the area could become 80% more likely by 2100. This would lead to massive climate migrations as well as the destruction of more homes, cause many animals to lose habitat, and disrupt entire ecosystems. Pasadena Humane urges the public to call the Eaton Fire animal rescue hotline to report found or lost pets, livestock, and wildlife in addition to animals left behind in evacuated properties. But if you encounter wildlife that isn't injured, wildlife officials say to not leave out food or water so the animals can migrate to a new habitat quickly. To reduce the likelihood of these massive wildfires occurring in the future and help communities and animals, we can switch to all-electric appliances and vehicles that don't produce planet-warming gases, donate money to climate action causes, and learn more about important climate issues. Even making one small change, multiplied by thousands of people, could lead to a healthier planet where all wildlife can thrive. Join our free newsletter for good news and useful tips, and don't miss this cool list of easy ways to help yourself while helping the planet.
Yahoo
07-02-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
CHCCS superintendent says decision to leave district came down to her family, safety
Superintendent Nyah Hamlett held back tears Thursday as she talked about her 'unapologetic decision' to step down as leader of the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools. 'Since January of 2021, I've taken the Michelle Obama 'when they go low, we go high' approach to the false narratives, misogynoir and personal attacks, the threats to the safety of my family and blatant attempts to undermine my leadership and my character,' Hamlett said. 'Through it all ... unwavering in my commitment to justice, truth and the well being of the students, staff and families that I have served.' Hamlett announced Tuesday she is leaving the district three years before her contract expires. She will become the chief equity and development officer in the Division of Equity and Organizational Development for Montgomery County Public Schools in Maryland. Her last day is June 27. Her statement Tuesday said leaving was 'an incredibly difficult decision,' and she elaborated Thursday about the emotions behind that decision. 'Most superintendents of color hold in and suffer in silence because the work is so important,' she said. Hamlett thanked the school board Thursday for the opportunity to lead the district and work with them to provide students with a 'high quality, safe, welcoming, affirming public education.' As a school leader and mother, she said, 'I must model the values I advocate, recognizing that unflinching leadership sometimes manifests as the relentless pursuit of truth, rest, solitude and sacrifice.' School board Chair George Griffin thanked Hamlett on behalf of the board in Tuesday's statement for her 'unwavering dedication and exceptional leadership.' 'Her commitment to our students, staff and entire school community has left a lasting, positive impact,' Griffin said. 'In particular, we note that her steadfastness, attention to detail and fearlessness for taking action have truly been a benefit to all students here in Chapel Hill and Carrboro.' Hamlett was hired in January 2021 at a salary of $226,000, tasked with leading the district's more than 11,000 students through COVID-19 and back into in-person classes. She currently earns $269,700 a year. District spokesman Andy Jenks told The N&O in an email Tuesday that the separation was Hamlet's decision, and as such, she will not receive separation payments or benefits from the district. A school system statement noted that, under Hamlett, 94.8% of students graduated on time in 2023 — a record — and that the district has led the state in passing rates on exams and increased the number of schools earning 'A' or 'B' grades on state report cards. In December, she was named a 2024-25 'Superintendent to Watch' by the National School Public Relations Association. Hamlett also has faced criticism, including plagiarism allegations and for her administration's handling in particular of exceptional children's programs, bullying and antisemitic intimidation. In 2023, she filed a no-contact order against a former student and his father, Hunter and Kevin Klosty, after nearly a year of critical and sometimes hostile comments about Hamlett and her administration in public forums and emails, court documents showed. At East Chapel Hill High School's graduation, Hunter Klosty was denied his diploma after swearing at district officials and Hamlett as he walked across the stage. In her remarks to graduates, Hamlett shared a message to one classmate and their family. 'When you struggle with treating people with dignity and respect, trust and believe, it says a lot more about you than it ever will about the people you're attempting to tear down,' she said, according to a graduation video. Hunter Klosty's father, Kevin, jogged over to Hamlett after the ceremony and pointed his finger at her, saying, 'The investigation is going to begin,' before leaving the arena, UNC Police reported. Hamlett said in her request for an order that she was afraid for her and her family's safety. Three days before a scheduled hearing at the Orange County Courthouse, she dropped the request without prejudice, meaning she could have tried again in the future. Kevin Klosty has continued to harass Hamlett and other district officials online and in emails, most recently on Tuesday after Hamlett announced her decision to leave. 'I bet you get fired too,' Klosty told Jenks in an email obtained by The News & Observer. 'I have a $1 bet that you do. They should make this The (sic) national holiday.' In another, he tells Jenks, 'What a fantastic day.' Hunter Klosty is now a UNC-Chapel Hill student and editor-in-chief of the conservative journal, Carolina Review, which has posted stories critical of Hamlett and her administration over the last year. Hamlett did not mention the Klostys during her remarks Thursday.
