BOKSBURG ATHLETIC CLUB

“SNIPPETS NO. 46 – WEEK 50”

(Thursday, December 13, 2012 – Wednesday, December 19, 2012)

Do you have any stories, news, results etc that you would like to share with the rest of the club? If I don’t know about it I cannot add it into the Snippets. If so, please fax or email them to the club for inclusion in the weekly Snippets.

NEWS, ROAD, TRACK AND FIELD, MULTI-SPORT, CROSS COUNTRY, SOCIAL, STORIES/ARTICLES ETC), GENERAL.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ALL OF OUR MEMBERS THAT ARE CELEBRATING THEIR BIRTHDAY IN DECEMBER:

KIT SPECIAL

SPECIAL SALE ON EXTRA-SMALL, SMALL, AND XXL TRACKSUITS (OLD STOCK) R180.00 INSTEAD OF R350.00. (Limited stock available).

ROAD

2012 BOKSBURG ATHLETIC CLUB TRAINING CALENDAR

DECEMBER

Mine Dump Run this weekend : 10km – Start at Farrar Park Café, Saturday, December 15, 2012 at 06:00 (Farrar Park café is on the corner of Rondebult and Smuts Road).

Café Runs taking place this weekend. Distance 16km. Start at Sunward Park Centre (park behind Petrol Station), Sunday, December 16, 2012 at 06:00 AND Monday, December 17, 2012 at 06:00.

PARKRUN

The 5km parkrun at the Ebotse Golf & Country Estate is held every Saturday at 08:00 and is free of charge (everyone welcome including walkers). See parkrun.co.za for more information or give Iain Morshead a call on 076 892 5307.

Ebotse parkrun News

Robyn Kaltenbrunn flew around the challenging course to set a new record time of 20 minutes 11 seconds. She also finished second overall, a fantastic achievement for this talented 15 year old.

Despite the heavy rain that lashed the parkrun on 24 November, Gary Jackson ensured that the efforts of all who braved the wet conditions were recorded.


Ebotse is the preferred place for hundreds of Barn Swallows that migrate 13,000 kilometres to escape the European winter. We were also pleased to host some human visitors from the UK in the form of Bev Williams and William Abrie. It’s a pity that William decided to bring the UK weather with him as his visit coincided with a deluge of rain. Bev provided motivation for many with her 50 club Tee shirt.

BOKSBURG ATHLETIC CLUB BLITZ (TIME TRIAL) RESULTS – DECEMBER 12, 2012

2KM

1. Duane Bekker (BOKS) 09:29; 2 Kirstin Ferrie (MAD) 09:57; 3 Yolande Badenhorst (NC) 11:03; 4 Michael Botha (NC) 11:53; 5 Gerhard Botha (Hermanus) 11:58; 6 Michelle Venter (MAD) 12:05.

4KM

1. Ryan Gibson (SP) 14:49; 2 Brett Rossouw (NC) 15:04; 3 Chicumba Zacarius (BOKS) 15:07; 4 Niall Hogan (MAD) 16:19; 5 Luke Meyer (BOKS) 16:32; 6 Henrico Bekker (BOKS) 16:35; 7 Delarey Ribbens(MAD) 16:44; 8 Adam Meyer (BOKS) 17:00; 9 Wernich Bekker (BOKS) 17:02; 10 Shelley van der Spuy (BOKS) 18:08; 11 Leon De Buys (NC) 18:08; 12 Wimpie Stroebel (SP) 18:08; 13 Wynand Strydom (BOKS) 18:08; 14 Ulric Bekker (BOKS) 18:29; 15 Renate Bekker (BOKS) 18:32; 16 Michelle Meyer (BOKS) 18:32; 17 Justin Badenhorst (Oosterlig) 18:42; 18 Johan Dunn (BOKS) 18:47; 19 Willie Kloppers (NC) 19:48; 20 Fernando Booysen (BOKS) 19:50; 21 Willie Pieterse (BOKS) 19:54; 22 Andrew Tesselaar (SP) 20:26; 23 Sheree Rogers (BOKS) 21:37; 24 Clive Griffiths (BOKS) 21:56; 25 Jenny Rogers (BOKS) 23:04; 26 Gavin Kingston (NC) 25:31; 27 Danie Steyn (BOKS) 25:32; 28 Lucas Pretorius (BOKS) 25:35; 29 Dirk Jansen (BOKS) 25:50; 30 Reuben Aldum (NC) 28:09.

8KM

1. Bryce Hennessy (MAD) 37:14; 2 Gregg Peebles (BOKS) 37:28; 3 Johan Venter (BOKS) 38:08; 4 Marlene Venter (BOKS) 38:08; 5 Natalie Thayer (NC) 43:52; 6 Michael De Mennohu (MAD) 43:52

The “BLITZ” an institution in its own right.

There are times when things of great value become sort of accepted and taken for granted because they are simply “there”. If you know what I mean, appreciated by some and enjoyed in a sort of “OK but no big deal” way by others.

When this happens it is worthwhile stopping to look back at the beginnings of the thing and by reflecting on its history decide whether it needs rejuvenation or not? Whether or not those of us who are emotional about its value do actually have a point or are we a bunch of old Fuddy Duddies hankering after the past?

Being one of those who hold “Our Blitz” so dear in my heart, I am happy to table a few thoughts for consideration without applying any pressure to anyone to align themselves to my position.

The Blitz goes back to the start of Boksburg Athletic Club and over the years has always been the ONE gathering point at which athletes of all levels are able to meet, get to know each other, benefit from each other’s ability and knowledge, and be able to test each other’s fitness regardless of genetic ability and to form friendships. Even back in the “Old days” when Boksburg Athletic Club had no Clubhouse, the Blitz created the opportunity for friends to gather afterwards in an assortment of venues.

On the Socio Cultural front, the Blitz has many amazing aspects. For example, in the history of the Club it has only NOT been run ONCE, which was the day of the famous election of 1994! In those days, it started and finished in the front of Parkdene Primary School and our rather paranoid security forces of the time insisted it be cancelled, as the School was a polling station.

Ah – The memories of dragging my drunken ass round the Blitz on Christmas Day, New Year’s Day with my drunken family Cheering (or should that be Jeering) me on as the route passed our house!

Then was the day all hell broke loose from the sky and Jimmy Perkins and I insisted that the poor committee members on duty DO their duty for us! Yup – just the two of us ran (EIGHT not the Woosie FIVE) and as we got near the finish, Perky asked me if I had ever won the Blitz and as I had not, he slacked off and gave me the honour!

I could regale you with so many stories and I know that others like Steve could give you a lot more than I. Suffice to say, that if you allow the Blitz into your life you will create the opportunity every week to build some amazing memories.

Without going into too much boring technical detail, anyone training to improve their performance at any level needs a periodic check as to how effective their training is and just how fit they really are.

NOTHING is as valuable as a regular measured distance run and the current Two, Four and Eight km options offer a wonderful range for athletes of all distances and ability.

Come on out and do yourself a huge favour, meet with some legends of YOUR Club and start becoming a legend of the future by aligning yourself with this most wonderful of runs and stay on to enjoy the most rewarding opportunity to socialise in our own “Finish Line” Clubhouse afterwards.

Neil Cochran.

RUNNING RACES OVERSEAS ?

ARE YOU PLANNING ON RUNNING A RACE OVERSEAS? IF SO, PLEASE REMEMBER THAT

YOU HAVE TO GET PERMISSION TO DO SO FROM A.S.A. PLEASE SEND DETAILS OF THE

COUNTRY WHERE THE RACE WILL TAKE PLACE, THE NAME AND DISTANCE OF THE RACE AND THE DATE OF THE RACE TO ME AND I WILL SEND RELEVANT APPLICATION FORMS TO A.S.A. AND APPLY ON YOUR BEHALF.

THE END OF YEAR MILE CHALLENGE

This year’s race was the best ever. The format was changed and there were 3 different races. Ladies, Elite and Veterans.

The Ladies race was so exciting the crowds in the stands went into a frenzy as the lead changed 5 or 6 times with Caroline Koll only pipping Ashna Jordaan on the post.

In the Golden Oldies (Veterans) race at one stage we thought we would have to call in the paramedics. The intensity of effort on Neil Cochran’s face as he came thundering down the home straight was a site to behold, of course Keith Nero romped home and will be moved up to the Elite race next year. Clive Griffiths and Johan Badenhorst were cautioned for bumping over the last 50 metres and were both given a yellow card.

The Elite race matched 4 minute miler, Scott Harris, albeit run in 1994, against the young Meyer twins, unfortunately in the last 100 metres youth prevailed, but our thanks go to Scott for turning out on the night in this his swansong for Boksburg Athletic Club. Next year Scott will be running/racing in the colours of Celtic Harriers. Thanks Scott for the marvelous memories.

See you all in 2013, track training will start again on the 2nd Tuesday in January at 18:00.

P.S. Grateful thanks to Glen Terry for providing “Chariots of Fire” and to the Chairman,

Estelle Burmeister for recording the times.

Spectators and runners were in a happy mood after the race as they consumed 3 bottles of champagne.

Yours in sport,

Coach De Bod (Steve).

RESULTS OF THE MILE RACE

Young Bucks (Elite Race)

Luke Meyer 5:10

Scott Harris 5:11

Adam Meyer 5:32

Juandre du Toit 5:40

Thinus Matthysen 5:49

Gregg Peebles 5:51

Ladies

Caroline Koll 6:00

Ashna Jordaan 6:01

Marlene Venter 6:15

Kerryn Vollmer 6:19

Jone Badenhorst 6:45

Jolene Matthysen 7:06

Linda Loxley 7:18

Golden Oldies (Veterans)

Keith Nero 6:01

Christopher ??? 6:13

Andre Bredenkamp 6:16

Johan Venter 6:52

Milan Daniz 7:15

Neil Cochran 7:20

Clive Griffiths 7:59

Johan Badenhorst 8:00

On behalf of the club, I would like to thank Steve for his commitment with regards coaching the Tuesday night track sessions, it is greatly appreciated. Editor.

No report.

CROSS COUNTRY

CONGRATULATIONS TO: Isabella Strydom who has been chosen to take part in the A.S.A. Cross Country Trials on 26 January 2013. The trials are being hosted by C.G.A. and will take place at the Boksburg City Stadium.

The purpose of the trials is to check the fitness level of all the athletes that will be competing and for the selectors to select the teams that will represent South Africa at the CAA Southern Region Cross Country Champs in Lesotho on 23 February, 2013 and the World Cross Country Championships in Poland on 24 March, 2013.

Good luck Isabella.

Program for the Day:

Time Event Distance

09:30 Open Men’s Trials 12km

10:10 Open Women’s Trials 8km

10:45 Junior Men’s Trials (born 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) 8km

11:20 Junior Women’s Trials (born 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996) 6km

Should any other member wish to participate at these trials, please enter at the CGA offices by no later than 17 January 2013.

BACK IN THE PUB BY POPULAR DEMAND

THE WEEKLY SNOWBALL DRAW

NOBODY WON THE SNOWBALL THIS WEEK AS THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS WERE NOT IN THE PUB

RYAN RUTHVEN AND CHICUMBA ZACARIAS

Hi Linda,

I was so touched to read Neil’s article. What wonderful memories that evoked. Boksburg club will always be dear to me – how can one forget all my dedicated training partners, warm friendships forged on the roads and the passion of Steve at the track. We are very spoilt in the Lowveld -where else can you see kudu, impala and zebra on your early morning training run , forests and green rolling hillsides instead of highways. And where else can you run mid winter with a short sleeve top? What we don’t have is a Tuesday track session and your informative newsletter. I hope the members appreciate what they have because it is these things that make a club special.

Have a truly blessed Christmas

Thanks for keeping me in the loop.

Allison Hay.

Hi Guys,

I hope you are all well. I’m writing a feature for a future edition of Runner’s World entitled: ‘Horribly Lost!’

I’m looking for candidates from the Gauteng region, so I was hoping you could send out a mailer to your athletics club, or point me in the direction of anyone who has a funny story to share.

The article will be a humorous look at the series of unfortunate events which lead road and trail runners to become horribly lost. Have you ever found yourself running the wrong race? Have you ever found yourself stranded on a mountain with only one Marmite sandwich to sustain yourself? What did you learn from your ordeal? Please send your story (max 200 words), together with your age and the area in which you live to

Thanks ever so much for your help and support.

Kind Regards
Lisa Nevitt

G E N E R A L

DONATE OLD KIT AND RUNNING SHOES TO THE CLUB

If you have Boksburg Running kit or running shoes that you are not using anymore, please donate them to the club. You may not be using them but I know of a lot of members that are in a less fortunate position that a lot of us and they would be grateful for a pair of running shoes or some kit.

Clubs Banking Details:

Name of Account : Boksburg Athletic Club Bank : Nedbank

Branch : Sunward Place Branch Code : 19044200

Account No. : 1904 024 998 Type of Acc. : Cheque

Please email or fax EFT/Deposit Slip to 011 917-4605 or 086 618 4488.

Reference to be used : Surname, Initial and what the payment is for (e.g Vogel L-2013 Subs)

It is advisable to phone the office before coming through, as I may be out, on Club business.

Tel: 011 917 3721 Fax: 011 917-4605; 086 618 4488

Email :

Snippets No. 46 Week 50, 2012 (Pages 1-8)