Latest news with #MNSAttorneysCarnivalCityMarathon
The Citizen
5 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Brakpan runner strives for nationals qualification to honour father
Brakpan resident, Donovan van Zyl started the provincial cross-country season with a blistering run at the Kwa-Thema Stadium earlier this month in his bid to qualify for the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Cross Country Championships in Middleburg in September. Van Zyl began the year on the front foot with a victory in the 5km races at the Benoni Northerns Marathon on April 13, followed by an exceptional performance at the MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon on May 1. Though the teenager's form, hard work and drive will likely earn him a spot in the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) team for the nationals, he's inspired to do it for his wheelchair-bound father. 'It's a big dream to go to the nationals. My dad inspired me to do this. My coach, Jared de Waal, also helps me a lot,' he said. The Irun Athletics Club athlete's father, Andrè Swart, is a former rugby player who also excelled in athletics. Swart was involved in a car accident that landed him in a wheelchair. 'He was an SA athlete. He was one of the best. He did all athletics except for the long distances. I'm doing this for him.' Asked about his performance in the first CGA Cross Country League meeting on May 3, where he clocked 22:20 in the U17 boys' 6km race, Van Zyl said he was headed in the right direction. While the race gave him a sense of what to expect as the season progressed, he was disappointed with its aftermath. He started at a blistering pace, which affected him at the end because he finished seventh. In the remaining leagues, however, the middle-distance runner will adopt a conservative approach, allowing him to hit his strides in the second half. ALSO READ: Medals and memories shine at SAAFA's 80th anniversary banquet 'The biggest lesson was starting to avoid starting fast. I must ease into the race and go for it once I've assessed my competition and my body is warm. Cross-country is tough. It needs you to strategise,' Van Zyl said. He started running because it 'clears my mind on tough days and puts my head into a good space'. Reflecting on his journey in the sport, he said, 'It's been hard, but I work hard. Coach Jared motivates us to chase our dreams.' Van Zyl's biggest goal is to go to the Olympic Games, but first, he must tackle the easy task of qualifying for his first cross-country nationals. 'I will give it my all in the remaining league.' At Caxton, we employ humans to generate daily fresh news, not AI intervention. Happy reading!
The Citizen
12-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Athletic excellence for Heidelberg Athletic club
The Heidelberg Athletics Club (HAC) kicked off May with an impressive display of athletic power, as its athletes competed in multiple events across Gauteng and North West. Over the first week of the month, club members showcased their versatility and endurance, participating in various races. On May 1, 16 HAC athletes took to the roads at the MNS Attorneys Carnival City Marathon in Brakpan, tackling distances ranging from 5km to 42.2km. Simultaneously, two athletes represented the club at the MiWay Wally Hayward, competing in the 42km race. The club's momentum continued on May 3, as seven athletes from the Red Army participated in the N12 Ultra Marathon in Klerksdorp, North West. The athletes completed 50km and 10km races, with the five men who attempted the 50km distance achieving impressive sub-five-hour times, ranging from 3:42:46 to 4:49:44. On May 5, nine HAC athletes participated in the Colgate Marathon, competing in 32km, 15km and 5km events. As the club looks to the future, the coaches expect maximum participation from members for the Western Race 4 Hope on May31 in Heidelberg. Two HAC athletes will contend for their medal positions from last year's race, aiming to build on their previous successes. With their recent performances, the Heidelberg Athletics Club aims for continued success in May. 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!
