Monday 11/08/2009
Mia Pienaar dominates the field at Total Sports race!
One of South Africa’s up-and-coming stars, Mia Pienaar took top honours in the open women’s category of the 10km Totalsports Ladies Race on Sunday, 09 August 2009 when she crossed the finish line at Coetzenburg Stadium, Stellenbosch in 36minutes17seconds.
The event started in perfect weather conditions with participants lining up in Plein Street for the 5km and 10km races through the tree-lined streets of this historic town in the heart of the Cape Winelands. According to Pienaar she suffered from tonsillitis early in the week and was really nervous about competing. ’I did not know what to expect and that is what made me so nervous. The event and route was absolutely awesome with a hard climb in the beginning and an amazing downhill towards the end, just what I wanted. I’m just thankful for my team-member Elene Lourens, we ran together most of the way and if it wasn’t for her support I wouldn’t have won. The weather today was just perfect and the route was amazing. I really had a great time and will definitely be back next year to defend my title,’ says Pienaar. Elene Lourens came in second, while Dominique Scott finished third.
Over 4 000 runners, joggers and walkers of all ages took part in the 5km and 10km Totalsports Ladies Race, held in celebration of National Women’s Day. The day started off with participants stocking up on energy before the race at the Bokomo Breakfast Zone. Husbands, friends and family were seen cheering for loved ones on route. Medals were awarded to all finishers and proceeds raised went to the deserving JAG Foundation. Heart 104.9FM’s much-loved Weekend Breakfast Show DJ Sam Roy entertained the crowd on the day. After the race spectators enjoyed a sizzling hot performance by 2009 South African Idol Sasha-Lee against the backdrop of the beautiful Stellenbosch mountains.
TOTALSPORTS LADIES RACE, Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch
Seniors:
1 Mia Pienaar (Maties) 36:17
2 Elene Lourens (Maties) 36:28
3 Dominique Scott (Adidas) 37:34
4 Anneline Roffey (Adidas) 38:07
5 Ronel Nattrass (Adidas) 38:12
6 Mari Rabie (Maties) 38:20
7 Bathobile Hlazo (Bellville) 39:28
8 Marlise Jordaan (Bellville) 39:34
9 Elmarie Coetzee (Adidas) 39:37
10 Helene Perold (Durbanville) 39:41
11 Esther Brink (Strand) 40:08
12 Asiphe Sikablamjana (temp licence) 40:09
13 Olga Howard (Celtic) 40:46
14 Jacqueline Haasbroek (Stellenbosch) 40:54
15 Liesl Steenkamp (Bell) 41:14.
WOMEN'S DAY CHALLENGE, Bellville
Seniors:
1 Kim Laxton (White River) 36:16
2 Thozama April (Celtic) 36:37
3 Bulelwa Mtshagi (Celtic) 37:03
4 Michelle Bartman (Harfield Harriers) 37:51
5 Xoliswa Buce (Mr Price) 38:38
6 Alae Brand (Adidas) 39:04
7 Busisiwe Matiwane (Celtic) 39:21
8 Kirsty Weir (Adidas) 39:53
9 Sheryl de Lange (Adidas) 40:00
10 Natasha Oosthuizen (Adidas) 40:09
11 Mariette Esterhuyse (Tygerberg) 40:37
12 Yonela Hewu (RCS Guguletu) 40:49
13 Lihna Masiza (Siyanda) 41:18
14 Jenna Kamps (temp licence) 41:24
15 Helette Basson (Langebaan) 41:43.
Edgemead uploaded photos of the
prizegiving in Bellville!
Wednesday 12/08/2009
Kara Goucher Looks Ready for a Big Race in the World Championships Marathon
A lot of people were impressed when Kara Goucher won the Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon last weekend. Me too.
Goucher didn't just top the women's standings, she was the first runner to cross the finish line. Period. She beat all the men as well as the women. I can only think of a few other times when this has happened, and never in a race as big as the Chicago Half, which had 11,000+ finishers.
Outstanding for sure.
But I'm even more excited and impressed about Goucher's next race--the World Championships Marathon for Women in Berlin in two weeks. She's going where no other top U.S. female marathoner has gone before. Our top runners typically pay little attention to the World meet. It's not the Olympics, after all, it's too often held in warm weather in midsummer, and it doesn't pay the kinds of fees elite athletes are accustomed to.
Apparently Goucher is ready to overlook these issues. Good for her.
Few top-tier U.S. distance stars have run the WC Marathon in the last 15 years. I can't even think of the last top woman, and I bet you can't name the only U.S. female racer to win a medal in the WC Marathon. (Answer at bottom of page.)
But Goucher is going, she's incredibly fit, and she has a real chance of medaling in the WC Marathon just as she won a surprise bronze in the WC 10,000 two years ago in Osaka, Japan. In fact, I think she has a chance of winning the WC Marathon outright, and I don't often say that about Americans in world-class marathons. Even with her Beijing disappointments (10th in the 10,000; 9th in the 5000), Goucher has run just about as strongly as anyone over a range of distances these last several years. After the Olympics, she stormed back with a third-place 2:25:53 in her marathon debut in New York City last fall, and a strong but slow/tactical third at Boston last April in 2:32:25.
Most marathon observers, myself included, believe that both these performances showed Goucher's marathon talent, but not her ultimate potential.
She can run much faster. Indeed, I think she's in about 2:22 shape now, and that could be enough to get the job done in Berlin. The race favorite, Irina Mikitenko, just announced that she wouldn't be starting, and no one will be surprised if we hear the same from world-record-holder Paula Radcliffe. Goucher still faces plenty of competition from the deep squads of Ethiopia, Kenya, Japan and China, but none of the runners from these countries look any more ready than Goucher.
Goucher has another powerful motivation. It's well known, because she has said so herself, that she and husband Adam Goucher would like to begin a family soon. She was apparently ready after Boston last spring; Alberto talked her into hanging tough through the WC Championships this month. His argument: You've never run a women-only international marathon like the Olympics. You want to have a baby, and you want to run the Olympic Marathon in 2012, but you won't be fully prepared for that race unless you have one championship marathon under your belt. Berlin is a race you should run in 2009.
Then, if things go according to plan, Goucher will get pregnant and have a baby in 2010. She'll run modestly through her pregnancy, and then start building the miles up seriously in 2011. Nike will provide all the altitude chambers and weight-reducing treadmills a runner could want. She'll have 12 to 18 months to get ready for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and then time to recover and build up for the Olympics.
It's a great plan. I hope it works out according to the script. Goucher is one of our strongest, most talented, and most emotional runners. It would be great for USA running if she can go for the gold in the next Olympics.
And the Berlin World Championships Marathon is an important jumping-off point on the way to London 2012.
(American Marianne Dickerson finished second--2:31:09, behind Grete Waitz--in the first WC Marathon in 1983, which was also the first international championships marathon for women, a year before the L.A. Olympic Games.)
Thursday 13/08/2009
Found more photo's from the Womens day 10km challenge!
Radcliffe to race New York half-marathon
Britain's Paula Radcliffe will race for the first time this year when she tests her fitness on Sunday in the New York City Half-marathon, organizers said on Wednesday.
Radcliffe said she would use the event to gauge her fitness for a possible run in the IAAF World Championships marathon in Berlin on August 23.
"Recently, my training has started to go very well,' Radcliffe said. "I'm definitely ready to run a half-marathon, and the NYC Half-Marathon will give me important feedback about where I am.
"After the race in New York, I will consult with my coaching and medical teams and we will make the final determination as to whether I am ready to run the marathon in Berlin. It is certainly my hope to compete there."
VOB uploaded their 10km womens day race photo's!
One of South Africa’s up-and-coming stars, Mia Pienaar took top honours in the open women’s category of the 10km Totalsports Ladies Race on Sunday, 09 August 2009 when she crossed the finish line at Coetzenburg Stadium, Stellenbosch in 36minutes17seconds.
The event started in perfect weather conditions with participants lining up in Plein Street for the 5km and 10km races through the tree-lined streets of this historic town in the heart of the Cape Winelands. According to Pienaar she suffered from tonsillitis early in the week and was really nervous about competing. ’I did not know what to expect and that is what made me so nervous. The event and route was absolutely awesome with a hard climb in the beginning and an amazing downhill towards the end, just what I wanted. I’m just thankful for my team-member Elene Lourens, we ran together most of the way and if it wasn’t for her support I wouldn’t have won. The weather today was just perfect and the route was amazing. I really had a great time and will definitely be back next year to defend my title,’ says Pienaar. Elene Lourens came in second, while Dominique Scott finished third.
Over 4 000 runners, joggers and walkers of all ages took part in the 5km and 10km Totalsports Ladies Race, held in celebration of National Women’s Day. The day started off with participants stocking up on energy before the race at the Bokomo Breakfast Zone. Husbands, friends and family were seen cheering for loved ones on route. Medals were awarded to all finishers and proceeds raised went to the deserving JAG Foundation. Heart 104.9FM’s much-loved Weekend Breakfast Show DJ Sam Roy entertained the crowd on the day. After the race spectators enjoyed a sizzling hot performance by 2009 South African Idol Sasha-Lee against the backdrop of the beautiful Stellenbosch mountains.
TOTALSPORTS LADIES RACE, Coetzenburg, Stellenbosch
Seniors:
1 Mia Pienaar (Maties) 36:17
2 Elene Lourens (Maties) 36:28
3 Dominique Scott (Adidas) 37:34
4 Anneline Roffey (Adidas) 38:07
5 Ronel Nattrass (Adidas) 38:12
6 Mari Rabie (Maties) 38:20
7 Bathobile Hlazo (Bellville) 39:28
8 Marlise Jordaan (Bellville) 39:34
9 Elmarie Coetzee (Adidas) 39:37
10 Helene Perold (Durbanville) 39:41
11 Esther Brink (Strand) 40:08
12 Asiphe Sikablamjana (temp licence) 40:09
13 Olga Howard (Celtic) 40:46
14 Jacqueline Haasbroek (Stellenbosch) 40:54
15 Liesl Steenkamp (Bell) 41:14.
WOMEN'S DAY CHALLENGE, Bellville
Seniors:
1 Kim Laxton (White River) 36:16
2 Thozama April (Celtic) 36:37
3 Bulelwa Mtshagi (Celtic) 37:03
4 Michelle Bartman (Harfield Harriers) 37:51
5 Xoliswa Buce (Mr Price) 38:38
6 Alae Brand (Adidas) 39:04
7 Busisiwe Matiwane (Celtic) 39:21
8 Kirsty Weir (Adidas) 39:53
9 Sheryl de Lange (Adidas) 40:00
10 Natasha Oosthuizen (Adidas) 40:09
11 Mariette Esterhuyse (Tygerberg) 40:37
12 Yonela Hewu (RCS Guguletu) 40:49
13 Lihna Masiza (Siyanda) 41:18
14 Jenna Kamps (temp licence) 41:24
15 Helette Basson (Langebaan) 41:43.
Edgemead uploaded photos of the prizegiving in Bellville!
A lot of people were impressed when Kara Goucher won the Rock n Roll Chicago Half Marathon last weekend. Me too. Goucher didn't just top the women's standings, she was the first runner to cross the finish line. Period. She beat all the men as well as the women. I can only think of a few other times when this has happened, and never in a race as big as the Chicago Half, which had 11,000+ finishers.
Outstanding for sure.
But I'm even more excited and impressed about Goucher's next race--the World Championships Marathon for Women in Berlin in two weeks. She's going where no other top U.S. female marathoner has gone before. Our top runners typically pay little attention to the World meet. It's not the Olympics, after all, it's too often held in warm weather in midsummer, and it doesn't pay the kinds of fees elite athletes are accustomed to.
Apparently Goucher is ready to overlook these issues. Good for her.
Few top-tier U.S. distance stars have run the WC Marathon in the last 15 years. I can't even think of the last top woman, and I bet you can't name the only U.S. female racer to win a medal in the WC Marathon. (Answer at bottom of page.)
But Goucher is going, she's incredibly fit, and she has a real chance of medaling in the WC Marathon just as she won a surprise bronze in the WC 10,000 two years ago in Osaka, Japan. In fact, I think she has a chance of winning the WC Marathon outright, and I don't often say that about Americans in world-class marathons. Even with her Beijing disappointments (10th in the 10,000; 9th in the 5000), Goucher has run just about as strongly as anyone over a range of distances these last several years. After the Olympics, she stormed back with a third-place 2:25:53 in her marathon debut in New York City last fall, and a strong but slow/tactical third at Boston last April in 2:32:25.
Most marathon observers, myself included, believe that both these performances showed Goucher's marathon talent, but not her ultimate potential. She can run much faster. Indeed, I think she's in about 2:22 shape now, and that could be enough to get the job done in Berlin. The race favorite, Irina Mikitenko, just announced that she wouldn't be starting, and no one will be surprised if we hear the same from world-record-holder Paula Radcliffe. Goucher still faces plenty of competition from the deep squads of Ethiopia, Kenya, Japan and China, but none of the runners from these countries look any more ready than Goucher.
Goucher has another powerful motivation. It's well known, because she has said so herself, that she and husband Adam Goucher would like to begin a family soon. She was apparently ready after Boston last spring; Alberto talked her into hanging tough through the WC Championships this month. His argument: You've never run a women-only international marathon like the Olympics. You want to have a baby, and you want to run the Olympic Marathon in 2012, but you won't be fully prepared for that race unless you have one championship marathon under your belt. Berlin is a race you should run in 2009.
Then, if things go according to plan, Goucher will get pregnant and have a baby in 2010. She'll run modestly through her pregnancy, and then start building the miles up seriously in 2011. Nike will provide all the altitude chambers and weight-reducing treadmills a runner could want. She'll have 12 to 18 months to get ready for the U.S. Olympic Marathon Trials, and then time to recover and build up for the Olympics.
It's a great plan. I hope it works out according to the script. Goucher is one of our strongest, most talented, and most emotional runners. It would be great for USA running if she can go for the gold in the next Olympics.
And the Berlin World Championships Marathon is an important jumping-off point on the way to London 2012.
(American Marianne Dickerson finished second--2:31:09, behind Grete Waitz--in the first WC Marathon in 1983, which was also the first international championships marathon for women, a year before the L.A. Olympic Games.)
Thursday 13/08/2009
Found more photo's from the Womens day 10km challenge!
Radcliffe to race New York half-marathon
Britain's Paula Radcliffe will race for the first time this year when she tests her fitness on Sunday in the New York City Half-marathon, organizers said on Wednesday.
Radcliffe said she would use the event to gauge her fitness for a possible run in the IAAF World Championships marathon in Berlin on August 23.
"Recently, my training has started to go very well,' Radcliffe said. "I'm definitely ready to run a half-marathon, and the NYC Half-Marathon will give me important feedback about where I am.
"After the race in New York, I will consult with my coaching and medical teams and we will make the final determination as to whether I am ready to run the marathon in Berlin. It is certainly my hope to compete there."
VOB uploaded their 10km womens day race photo's!
Durbanville uploaded their Ladies race 10km photos!
WPA uploaded some photo's of the Ladies race 10km!
Dwarp uploaded some stunning photos of their run in Outeniqua Traverse!
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