Category: Racing

South African athletes are blessed with a packed race calendar, with so many choices of great events to participate in, so check out these events for the coming month, including road and trail runs as well as other running disciplines! – BY TOM COTTRELL AND SEAN FALCONER

GAUTENG

CENTRAL GAUTENG
Wednesday 2 August
Kinetic Night Trail Run 8km & 4km, Bryanston Country Club, Johannesburg, 7:30pm & 7:40pm, Heidi Muller 082 564 6468
Friday 4 August
Serengeti Night 15km, 10km & 5km, Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate, Kempton Park, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Sunday 6 August
Old Edwardian Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km, Virgin Active Old Ed’s Club, cnr 4th Street & 11th Avenue, Lower Houghton, 8am, Race Organiser 011 728 7335 (W)
Wednesday 9 August
Totalsports Ladies’ Race Johannesburg 10km & 5km, Mary Fitzgerald Square, Newtown, 8am, Stillwater Sports 082 911 0445
Ubuhle 3-in-1 10km & 1.6km, Sam Ntuli Stadium, Matsemela Street, Thokoza, Johannesburg South, 8am, Race Organiser 072 464 0041
K-Way Ladies Night 15km, 10km & 5km, Serengeti Golf and Wildlife Estate, Kempton Park, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Saturday 12 August
Jeppe Annual 5km Fun Run & Market, Jeppe High School for Girls, Roberts Avenue, Kensington, 8am, Sara Schroder 011 616 5090 (W)
Sunday 13 August
Slow Mag Pirates 10km & 5km, Pirates Club, Braeside Road, Greenside, 8am, Hennie Booysen 082 801 0924
Zoo Trot August 10km, Centenary Lawn, Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Drive, 7am, Lebogang Mathope 011 712 6817 (w)
Thursday 17 August
Ruimsig Trail Run August 10km & 5km, Ruimsig Country Club, Hole in One Avenue, Ruimsig, 7pm, Race Organiser 011 958 1905 (w)
Saturday 19 August
Clearwater 10km & 5km, Clearwater Mall, cnr Hendrick Potgieter Drive & Christiaan de Wet Road, Strubens Valley, Roodepoort, 7am, Andrew Young 083 236 9275
Sunday 20 August
Arthro Choice Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Inanda Country Base, Rose Road, Knopjeslaagte, Midrand, 7am, Marietjie Airey 082 801 5666
Saturday 26 August
Merrell Spring Run Johannesburg 20km, 12km & 6km, Walter Sisulu National Botanical Gardens, Roodepoort, 7:30am, Tatum Prins 083 449 0760
Sunday 27 August
Wanderers Aucor Property Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, The Wanderers Club, 21 North Street, Illovo, 7am, Dylan Burgess 063 389 0681
Wednesday 30 August
Merrell Spring Night Run Powered by Black Diamond 8km & 5km, Delta Café, Marlborough Avenue, Randburg, 6:30pm, Tatum Prins 083 449 0760
Thursday 25 August
Brooks Dark Dead Night Trail Run August 8km & 4km, Glenvista Country Club, Vorster Avenue, Johannesburg South, 7pm, Clive Chowles 082 322 5620

GAUTENG NORTH
Wednesday 2 August
Jackal Night Trail Run 10km & 5km, Copperleaf Country Club, Ernie Els Boulevard, Centurion, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Saturday 5 August
BiGen Africa Charity 10km & 5km Fun Run, The Innovation Hub, 1 Mark Shuttleworth Street, Lynnwood, Pretoria, 9am, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
SPAR Women's 10km & 5km – Centurion, SuperSport Park, cnr South & West Streets, Centurion, 2pm, Race Organiser 011 203 5300 (w)
GEM Trail Series #4 CANCELLED
Wednesday 9 August
Castle Walk Shopping Centre Women’s 10km & 5km, Castle Walk Shopping Centre, cnr Nossob Street & Louis Avenue, Erasmuskloof, Pretoria, 6:45am, Liesel van Zyl 079 869 5030
Thursday 10 August
Tortoise & Hare Night Trail Run 8km & 5km, Big Red Barn, Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Saturday 12 August
Clicks Wierie Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km, Laerskool Wierdapark, Centurion, 6:30am, Kierie van der Schyff 082 804 4803
AGN Cross Country League #2, LC de Villiers, Univeristy of Pretoria, Time TBC, Michael Seme 073 148 5332
Saturday 12 – Sunday 13 August
Smuts Ultra Trail Run, Sat: 30km & 15km, Sun: 21km & 10km, Jan Smuts House, Jan Smuts Avenue, Centurion, 8am, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Wednesday 16 August
Owl Night Trail Run 10km & 5km, Irene Country Club, Pretoria, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Saturday 19 August
Romans Pizza Phobians 15km & 5km, Pretoria Boys High School, Roper Street, Brooklyn, 6:45am, Graham Strangleman 076-2465185
AGN Cross Country Championships, TUT Soshanguve, Time TBC, Joel Baloyi 084 448 4873
Saturday 26 August
The Barn Doggy Day Race 8km & 5km, Big Red Barn, Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, 9am, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Friday 26 – Saturday 27 August
Dawn2Dusk 100 Mile & 12-Hour Circuit Race, Gerrit Maritz High School, Daan de Wet Nel Drive, Pretoria, Fri 4pm (160) & Sat 7am (12-hour), Gerrie Strydom 082 940 5453
Sunday 27 August
Land Rover Centurion Mountain Monster 20km, 10km, & 5km, Hakahana Trails, Middel Road, 15km from Pretoria, 8am, Ruan Botes 063 686 7315
The Barn Trail Run 20km, 15km, 10km & 5km, Big Red Barn, Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, 8am, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552

VAAL TRIANGLE
No races scheduled for this period.

WESTERN CAPE

BOLAND
Saturday 5 August
PPC Riebeeck Berg Marathon, Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km, PPC Cement Plant, Riebeeck West, 7:30am (42), 8am (21), 8:30am (10) & 8:45am (5), Ilze Vlok 079 523 5145
Sunday 6 August
Spur Cape Winter Trail Series #3 13.5km & 7.5km, Taal Monument, Paarl, 9am & 9:21am, Race Organiser 021 821 9898 (W)
Wednesday 9 August
Run The Vines Trail Run #7 17km, 10km & 5km, Olsen Private Vineyards, near Paarl, 7:45am, 8am & 8:15am, Lans Pepler 082 787 2472
Saturday 12 August
Spur Kleinmond XL 23.3km, Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, Kleinmond, 8:30am, Race Organiser 021 821 9898 (W)
Spur Cape Winter Trail Series #4 13.9km & 8km, Kogelberg Biosphere Reserve, Kleinmond, 9:15am & 9:36am, Race Organiser 021 821 9898 (W)
Winter Trail Run 15km, 12.5km, 7.5km & 5km, Dirtopia Trail Centre, Delvera Farm, on R44 between Klapmuts & Stellenbosch, 8:45am, 9am, 9:15am & 9:30am, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (W)
Banhoek Duo Challenge Trail Run 25km & 10km, Boschendal Wine Estate, on R310 between Pniel and Franschhoek, 9:20am & 9:30am, Info: www.amoija.com
Sunday 13 August
Green Forest 21km, 10km & 5km Trail Run #1, Lebanon Forest, Grabouw (21 & 10 runners bussed to start from Hickory Shack Restaurant, just off N2 between Grabouw & Botriver), 8:30am (21) & 9am (10 & 5), Dominique Provoyeur 084 363 4104
Saturday 19 August
Staalwater Trail Run 15km & 7km, Caledon Casino, Hotel & Spa, Caledon, 9:30am & 9:45am, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (W)
Saturday 26 August
Tru-Cape Packhouse Challenge Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Elgin Grabouw Country Club, Eikenhof Dam, near Grabouw, 7:30am, Petra van Rensburg 082 776 8811
Sunday 27 August
Change of Season Trail Run 15km, 11.5km & 7km, Uitkyk Wine Estate, on R44 between Klapmuts & Stellenbosch, 8:30am, 8:45am & 9am, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (W)

SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS
Saturday 5 August
Herbertsdale Race Against Crime Half Marathon, 15km & 5km, Agri Hall, Herbertsdale, 8am, Diane Oosthuizen 084 369 2731
Saturday 5 – Monday 7 August
RCS SOX 3-Day Trail Run, (Full: 30km, 30km & 20km or Lite: 18km, 10km & 20km), Wilderness Hotel, George Street, Wilderness, 8am, Janine Swart 083 662 2022
Sunday 6 August
Circles in the Forest 30km & 15km, Mother Holly Tea Garden, Millwood State Forest, Rheenendal, 8am & 8:15am, Janine Swart 083 662 2022
Wednesday 9 August
Nedbank Women’s Day Challenge 10km & 3km, Klein Karoo Agri, Park Avenue, Oudtshoorn, 8am, Race Organiser 083 376 7414

WESTERN PROVINCE
Saturday 5 August
Hout Bay Trail Challenge 40km, Hout Bay Harbour, 7am, Richard Sutton 082 643 6186
Brackenfell Pick n Pay Family Store Half Marathon & 5km, Brackenfell Primary School, Church Street, Brackenfell, 7:15am & 7:30am, Leon Visser 072 222 6843
WPA Race Walking Grand Prix #3 30km, 20km, 10km, 5km, 3km & 1km, Youngsfield Military Base, Wetton, 7am (30), 8am (20), 9am (10) & 10am (5,3,1), Stefano Aracena 076 948 8483
Sunday 6 August
Lourensford Trail Run 16km, 10km & 5km, Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West, 8:30am & 8:40am, Race Office 021 789 0188 (W)
Western Province Cross Country League #8, Elfindale, 11am, Andy James 082 707 6040
Wednesday 9 August
Totalsport Women’s Day Challenge Cape Town 10km & 5km, Grand Parade, Darling Street, Cape Town City Centre, 8am & 8:30am, Stillwater Sports 082 991 0445
Women’s Day Trail Run 6.75km, Durbanville Hills Wine Estate, Tygerberg Valley Road, 8:30am, Japie Swanepoel 082 443 3033
Saturday 12 August
Western Province Cross Country Champs, CPUT, Symphony Way, Bellville, 8am, Andy James 082 707 6040
Sunday 13 August
Reutech Solution John Korasie 30km, Naval Sports Grounds, Martello Road, Simon’s Town, 7am, Luqmaan Patientia 082 847 1680
Saturday 19 August
Lipco Law for All Puffer 80km, Good Hope Nature Reserve, Cape Point, to Ferryman’s Tavern, V&A Waterfront, 5:30am, Andy Campbell 082 799 6785
Strandloper 22km Trail Run, Noordhoek Sports Field, Katzenellenbogan Road, to The Hub, Scarborough, 7am, Race Office 021 789 0188 (w)
Atlantis Harriers Half-Marathon & 5km, Wesfleur Sports Grounds, Saxonsea, Atlantis, 8am, Desmond Arendse 084 392 1061
Sunday 20 August
Helderberg Mountain Challenge 24km, 15km & 11km, Helderberg Nature Reserve, Somerset West, 7am,8:15am & 9am, Race Organiser 021 821 9898 (w)
Saturday 26 August
Langebaan Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Club Mykonos Resort, Langebaan, 8am (21 & 10) & 8:10am (5), Bossie Boshoff 083 462 4400
Sunday 27 August
Khayelitsha 10km & 4km, Mandela Park Stadium, Tambo Street, Khayalitsha, 7:30am, Patience Nkohla 083 946 7154
PSFA Blisters for Bread 15km, 10km & 5km Walk, Green Point Cricket Club, Vlei Road, Green Point, 7:30am & 8am, Top Events 021 511 7130 (W)

KWAZULU-NATAL
Wednesday 2 August
Giba Gorge Night Fun Trail Run Series 10km & 5km, Giba Gorge MTB Park, Stockville Road, Pinetown, 6pm, Fiona Williams 079 508 7268
Friday 4 August
Durban North/Umhlanga Rocks CPF August Nite 10km & 5km, Crusaders Sports Club, Durban North, 6pm, Dave Ward 082 492 1995
Saturday 5 August
Longest Day 12-Hour Circuit Race, (Minimum 80km run or 60km walk), Collegians Sports Club, 381 Boshoff Street, Pietermaritzburg, 7am, Race Office 082 750 0822
KZN Cross Country League #13, KwaximbaXimba, Time TBC, Puseletso Dladla 073 658 7997
Sunday 6 August
Illovo Eston Trail Run 18km & 9km, Eston Farmers Club, Eston, 6:30am, Stu Berry 083 456 8435
Mtunzini Bush 16km, 10km & 5km Trail Run, Mtunzini Town Hall, 7am, Paul Mannix 082 5711 6559
Women in Action Ladies’ Challenge 10km & 5km, Chatsworth Stadium, Trisula Avenue, Arena Park, Chatsworth, 8am, Dees Govender 083 785 4333
Tuesday 8 August
Funky Full Moon 8km, Crusaders Running Club, Blue Lagoon, Durban, 6pm, Billy Harker 082 654 6542
Wednesday 9 August
AACL Trail Run 10km & 5km, Animal Anti-Cruelty League, D657 Road, Leckhampton Valley, Hammarsdale, 7am, Dave Ward 082 492 1995
Saturday 12 August
KZN Cross Country Champs, Beaulieu Dam, Time TBC, Bill Pellew 082 040 6880
Sunday 13 August
Supa Mama Savages Half-Marathon Challenge & 10km, Morningside Primary School, North Ridge Road, Durban, 6:30am, Robin Honeysett 083 553 5647
Tinman 10km, Suncoast Casino, Durban, 7am, B-Active 031 764 1885 (w)
Marriott Dargle Trails Festival 21km, 12km & 6km, Lions River Club, Dargle, 7am, 7:15am & 7:30am, Julia Rees 073 141 4844
Weenen Nature Reserve 21km, 16km & 7km Trail Run, Weenen Nature Reserve Campsite, Weenen, 7:30am, Brian van der Bank 082 779 8406
Saturday 19 August
Aquelle Harburg Tour de Krantz 10km & 5km, Harburg Hall, Harburg, 7:30am, Rolf Lutget 082 555 0432
Sunday 20 August
Maritzburg SPAR Women’s 10km & 5km Challenge, Oval Cricket Stadium, Alexandra Park, Pietermaritzburg, 6am, Race Organiser 060 356 9044
uMngeni River Run 50km, 25km & 10km, Faulklands Farm, Table Mountain, 6:30am, 7:30am & 8am, KZN Trail Running 082 791 7069
Friday 25 August
Dafco Urban Challenge Night Trail Run Series 8km & 4km, Amanzimtoti Sports Centre, Riverside Road, Hutchison Park, 6pm, Cathy Colley 083 767 9471
Saturday 26 August
Mandel Day Trail Run 15km, 8km & 4km, Mandela Capture Site, outside Howick in Tweedie, 6:30am, Race Organiser 082 791 7069
Sunday 27 August
Mandela Day Marathon, Half Marathon & 10km, Royal Showgrounds, Chief Albert Luthuli Street, Town Hill, Pietermaritzburg, to Mandela Capture Site, outside Howick in Tweedie, 5:30am, Race Organiser 033 897 6700 (w)
Nedbank Trail Run 12km & 5km, Eston Farmers Club, Eston, 7:30am, Travis Dalrymple-Kelly 076 424 0694

FREE STATE
Saturday 5 August
IBL Sun to Sun Half Marathon & 10km, Mmabana Stadium, Milner Street, to Black Mountain Hotel, Groothoek Dam Road, Thaba Nchu District, 8am, Pretty Booysen 083 204 2973 NEW DATE – WAS 12 AUGUST
Free State Cross Country League #6, UFS X-Country Track, Bloemfontein, 2:30pm, AFS Office 051 430 3251 (w)
Saturday 12 August
Free State Cross Country Championships, UFS X-Country Track, Bloemfontein, 9am, AFS Office 051 430 3251 (w)
Friday 18 August
MediClinic Welkom Night 10km, Ladies’ 5km, Kids’ 1.5km PLUS 1.5km Wheelchair Race, Welkom Mediclinic, Meulen Street, Welkom, 4:30pm (kids & wheelchair), 6pm (5km) & 7pm (10km), Race Organiser 072 499 2602
Castle Lite Trail Run 10km & 5km, Wild Olive Estate, Bloemfontein, 6pm, Info: www.pureadventures.co.za
Sunday 20 August
Q4 Platberg Trail Run 20km & 10km, Platberg Eco Park, Harrismith, 7am, BoutTime Events 082 562 9841

EASTERN CAPE

BORDER
Sunday 6 August
Amathola Marathon, Stutterheim Main Road, to King Williams Town, 6am, Alex Kambule 084 202 4872
Saturday 12 August
Buffalo City Metropolitan Municipal Athletic Club Half Marathon & 5km, Jan Smuts Sports Ground, East London, 7am, Collet Chelesi 073 481 0668
Saturday 26 August
White Clay Coffee Bay Halfish Marathon Trail Run 21km, Ocean View Hotel, Main Road, Coffee Bay, to White Clay Holiday Resort, 7am, Roy Sparg 083 979 4499
Sunday 27 August
Mdantsane Kasi Race 10km & 5km, Sisa Dukashe Stadium, Sandile Road, to Masizakhe Children’s Home, Spine Road, Mdantsane, 7am, Alex Kambule 074 139 0550

EASTERN PROVINCE
Sunday 6 August
Spur PE Trail Series #3 10.2km & 4.9km, Pine Lodge, Cape Recife, Port Elizabeth, 9am & 9:21am, Race Secretary 021 821 9898 (W)
Chokka Trail Run Challenge 62km, 30km, 23km & 18km & 5km, Cape St. Francis Resort, Da Gama Road, Cape St. Francis, 5am (62), 7am (30), 7:30am (23 & 18) & 11am (5), Esti Stewart 073 825 0835
Saturday 12 August
SPAR Oak Cottage Mountain Drive Half Marathon, Rhodes University Prospect Field, African Street, Grahamstown, 8am, Stephen Penney 082 468 8384
Saturday 19 August
Nelson Mandela Bay Diva Women’s Run 10km & 5km, NMMU Second Avenue, Summerstrand, Port Elizabeth, 8am, Mike Mbambani 079 149 6796
Sunday 20 August
Hopewell XL 28.3km, Hopewell Estate, Rietkuil Road, Port Elizabeth, 8:30am, Race Secretary 021 821 9898 (W)
Spur PE Trail Series #4 11.1km & 4.9km, Hopewell Estate, Rietkuil Road, Port Elizabeth, 9am & 9:21am, Race Secretary 021 821 9898 (W)
Tuesday 29 August
Town Lodge Business Night Relay 5×3.5km PLUS 3×3.5km Walk, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Fettes Road, Port Elizabeth, 6pm, Michelle de Bruyn 041 484 7860 (W)

FAR NORTH

LIMPOPO
Satuday 5 August
Exxaro Mogol 3-in-1 Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Lephalale Mall, Onverwacht Road, Lephalale, 6:30am, Wikus Geyser 083 304 1073
Wednesday 9 August
Maroela to Maroela 10km & 5km, Phalaborwa Road Runners Clubhouse, Kingfisher Private School, Sealene Street, Phalaborwa, 8am, Molatelo Rankweteke 084 552 4323
Saturday 26 August
Tzaneen Lifestyle Spring Opener Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km, Tzaneen Lifestyle Centre, Danie Joubert Street, Tzaneen, 7am, Paul Zaayman 083 460 4204

MPUMALANGA
Saturday 5 August
Skukuza Castle Lager Half-Marathon, Skukuza Rugby Field, Staff Village Green, Skukuza, 8:30am, Martie Oosthuizen 082 680 3864
Saturday 12 August
Buffalo Gorge Trail Series 18km, 10km, 6.5km & 2.5km, Buffalo Gorge Eco Adventure Centre, Buffelskloof Farm, Middleburg, 8:30am, Ryk Diepraam 083 528 9586 NEW DATE – WAS 5 AUGUST
Saturday 19 August
Rotary Greatest Train Race 28km & 15km, (Solo or Relay entries), Witbank/Emalahleni Station, to Middelburg Municipal Offices, 8am, Elsabe Dawson 086 118 7246
Wednesday 23 August
Eskom Old Medal Nite 10km & 5km, Eskom Clubhouse, Eskom Park, Witbank/eMalahleni, 7pm, Paul Bester 082 966 7767 NEW DATE – WAS 6 SEPTEMBER
Saturday 26 August
Cara Cara 10km Trail Run, Ruby River Resort, Groblersdal, 7am, Andrew Collett 079 523 5498
Wednesday 30 August
Kutting Mpumalanga Night 10km & 5km, Kees Taljaard Stadium, Middelburg, 7pm, James Faber 082 443 4193

NORTH WEST

CENTRAL NORTH WEST
Saturday 26 August
Nedbank Schweizer-Reneke Half Marathon, 10 km & Business Relay POSTPONED TO 2 SEPTEMBER

NORTH WEST NORTH
Saturday 12 August
Magaliesburg Challenge 50km, 36km, 22km & 12km, Van Gaalen Cheese Farm, Skeerpoort, near Hartbeespoort, 6am, Caeli Manuel 072 924 2371

NORTHERN CAPE

GRIQUALAND WEST
Saturday 12 August
Rihanna Moshoeshoe Half-Marathon, 10km & 5km, Galeshewe Stadium, Phakedi Street, Galeshewe, Kimberley, 7am, Mase Mogorosi 071 853 3509

NORTH WEST CAPE
Saturday 5 August
Namaqua Daisy Challenge Trail Run 30km, 18km & 5km, Die Keldery, Vredendal, 7am, Reinier van Greunen 082 321 5200
Thursday 24 – Saturday 26 August
Namaqua Quest Trail Run, (Three days: 24km, 25km & 20km) Jakkalswater Guest Farm, Springbok, Three days: 7am, 7:30am & 8am, Race Organiser 083 662 2022

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

NAMIBIA
Saturday 5 August
Husab Mine Marathon, 10km, & 5km, Husab Access Road, Swakopmund, 7am, Frank Slabber +264 (0)81 240 3383
Eros Girls 10km & 5km, Eros Girls’ School, cnr Independence & Eros Avenue, Windhoek, Time TBC, Eros Girls' School +264 (0)81 338 9911
Erongo Cross Country Champs, Omaruru, Time TBC, BK Karumendu +264 (0)81 311 8489
Sunday 6 August
Windhoek Light X-Trail 15km & 8km, Midgard Self Catering Lodge, on B6 Road about 80km from Windhoek, Time TBC, Yvonne +264 (0)81 142 9966
Saturday 12 August
Rundu 10km Challenge, Rundu, Time & contact person TBC
Friday 18 August
Moonlight Fun Run 8km & 5km, Windhoek, 6:15pm, Contact person TBC
Saturday 19 August
Oshana Region Street Mile, Oshakati, Time & contact person TBC
Sunday 27 August
Dr Sam Nujoma Half Marathon & 5km, Windhoek, Time TBC, Athletics Namibia +264 (0)81 288 1846

ORIENTEERING
Sunday 6 August
The Parys Rogaine, Buffelskloof, Parys Dome, Free State, Time TBC, ROC: Nick Cooper 074 188 9250
Sunday 20 August
Gauteng Bush Series #7 – Middle Distance, Moreleta Kloof, Pretoria, Time TBC, ROC: Nick Cooper 074 188 9250
Sunday 26 August
Polokwane Park Series #2 – Sprint Distance, Polokwane, Time TBC, POC: Ephraim Chuene 082 095 1035

OBSTACLE RACING
Tuesday 8 August
JumpCity Urban Challenge Women’s Day Edition, Gold Reef City Theme Park, Ormonde, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 5:45pm, Shift Concepts 011 022 0426 (w)
Saturday 19 August
Gajiga Run #12 Night Run, 5km with inflatable obstacles, Johannesburg Zoo, Jan Smuts Avenue & Upper Park Drive, Parkview, Johannesburg, Gauteng, 5pm, www.gajiga.co.za
Saturday 19 – Sunday 20 August
Toyota Warrior Race #5, Black Ops 15km (30 obstacles), Commando 10km (22), Rookie 5km (15) & Warrior Bratz 500m (8, unlimited laps), Blythedale, North of Ballito, KwaZulu-Natal, Race Organiser 087 150 3144
Friday 25 August
Impi Day-Night Series #7, 5km with obstacles, OCT Rietvlei, Swartkoppies Road, Johannesburg South, Gauteng, 4pm, Race Info 087 013 5044
Sunday 27 August
The Grind 1704 Winter Warmer, Deep Grind 5km (Elite) & Rapid Grind 5km (Non-elite), Dvine Expo & Events, Dvine Estate, on R101 near N1 Huguenot Tunnel Toll Plaza, 9am, Race Office 021 813 9282 (w)

TRIATHLON & DUATHLON
Sunday 6 August
TrailAdventure Canoe Triathlon, 8km Canoe / 20km MTB / 5km Trail run, Rietvlei Dam, Pretoria, Gauteng, 7am, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Cowhouse Cross Duathlon #4, Bull: 10km/28km/3km, Steer: 5km/14km/3km, Heifer: 2km/9km/2km, Calf: 1.5km/5km/750m & Lamb: 300M/600m/100m, Cowhouse Market, cnr Ridge Road and Oukraal Boulevard, Pretoria, Gauteng, 8am, 8:45am, 11am, 12pm & 1pm, Assie de Lange 082 453 0096
Saturday 12 August
Standard Bank 5150 Bela Bela Triathlon, 1.5km/40km/10km, Forever Resorts Warmbaths, Bela Bela, Limpopo, Time TBC, Race Office 082 476 6626
Banhoek Duo Challenge, Trail Run/MTB/Trail Run – Long 2.5km/25km/10km & Short 2.5km/10km/5km, Boschendal Wine Estate, on R310 between Pniel and Franschhoek, Western Cape, 9am & 9:10am, Info: www.amoija.com
Sunday 13 August
Tinman Triathlon #3, Tinman Challenge 1km/30km/10km (7:40am), Tinman Sprint 600m/21km/5km (7:20am) & Tinman Mini (200m/6km/2.5km (7:10am), Suncoast Casino, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, B-Active 031 764 1885
Saturday 26 August
Mandela Day Triathlon, Olympic 1.5km/40km/10km, Sprint 600m/20km/5km & Mini 200m/5km/2.5km, Midmar Dam, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, Petrus Stroom Road/R617, Howick, Kwazulu-Natal, 8am, B-Active Sports 031 764 1885 (w)

ADVENTURE RACING
Sunday 27 August
Kinetic Adventure 25km, Run, MTB, & Kayak Challenge, Cowhouse Market, Hazeldean Trails, Pretoria, Gauteng, Time TBC, Heidi Muller 082 564 6468

TRACK AND FIELD
Saturday 12 August
Claude Sterley Memorial Masters Meeting, Pilditch Stadium, Pretoria, Gauteng North, AGN 012 327 4930 (w)

South African runners are incredibly lucky to have the race calendar that they do, with so many great races constantly on the go. Although July does not have the great weather to accompany the great race calendar, there should be no excuses as to why you’re not training! Check out these events for the coming month, including road and trail runs as well as other running disciplines – BY TOM COTTRELL, BRENDON LOWSON & SEAN FALCONER

GAUTENG

CENTRAL GAUTENG
Wednesday 5 July
Kinetic Night Trail Run 8km & 4km, Houghton Golf Club, Johannesburg, 7:30pm & 7:40pm, Heidi Muller 082 564 6468
7:30pm,
Sunday 9 July
Zoo Trot 10km, Centenary Lawn, Johannesburg Zoo, Upper Park Drive, 7am, Lebogang Mathope 011 712 6817 (w)
Northgate 10km & 5km, Northgate Shopping Centre, cnr Olievenhout Avenue & Northumberland Road, North Riding, Randburg, 7:30am, Charlie Herselmann 082 770 1143
Thursday 20 July
Jackal Trail Run 10km & 5km, Jackal Creek Golf Estate, Boundary Road, Northriding, 7pm, Race Organiser 011 053 9153
Sunday 23 July
MTN Walk the Talk with 702 15km, 8km & 5km, Marks Park, Judith Road, Emmerentia, 7am, 9am & 11am, Race Organiser 011 017 2700 (w)
Thursday 27 July
Brooks Dark Dead Night Trail Run 8km & 4km, Glenvista Country Club, Vorster Avenue, 7pm, Clive Chowles 011 825 7324 (w)
Friday 28 July
K-Way Serengeti Night Run 15km, 10km & 5km, Serengeti Golf & Wildlife Estate, Kempton Park, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552

GAUTENG NORTH
Saturday 1 July
Riana van Niekerk Run Walk 4 Bibles Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Zwartkops High School, cnr Old Johannesburg & Mopanie Roads, Centurion, 7:30am, Wynand Meiring 082 778 7327 NEW DATE – WAS 24 JUNE
Sunday 2 July
Jolly July Trail Run 21km, 13km & 8km, Casa-Lee Country Lodge, Pretoria East, 9am, 9:15am & 9:30am, Debbie Agenbag 083 294 5260
Thursday 6 July
Woodhill Night Run 10km & 5km, Woodhill Golf Estate, Woodhill, Pretoria, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Saturday 8 July
Garsfontein Ice Breaker Half Marathon, 10 & 5km, Garsfontein Primary School, Zita Street, Garsfontein, 6:30am, Unice Maree 082 264 0382
Sunday 9 July
Tornado Trail Run 21km, 15km, 10km, 5km & 3km, N’Shongalonga Valley Resort, near Centurion, 8am, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Wednesday 12 July
Jackal Night Run 10km & 5km, Copperleaf Golf Estate, Erenie Els Boulevard, Centurion, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Saturday 15 July
AfriForum Springbok Vasbyt 25km, 10km & 5km, Voortrekker Monument, Eeufees Road, Pretoria, 7:30am, Race Organiser 071 405 5588
Friday 14 July
The Hills Night Run 10km & 5km, The Hills Eco Golf Estate, near Garsfontein, Pretoria, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Wednesday 19 July
Tortoise 5km & Hare 8 km Run/Walk, The Big Red Barn, Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, Pretoria North, 7pm, Shane Gouldie, 082 332 9552
Saturday 22 July
A4A Long Walk/Run 4 Freedom Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Eco Boulevard Shopping Centre, Ecopark, Centurion, 6:30am, Matome Lehomo 083 627 5326
Sunday 23 July
Nogwaja Trail Run 20km, 13km & 5km, Rustig Hiking Trail, Hekpoort, 7am, 7:15am & 7:30am, Nina 083 275 2362
Pretoria Zoo Family Day 8km & 4km, Pretoria Zoo, Boom Street, Daspoort, Pretoria, 8am, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Wednesday 26 July
Wild Dog Night Run 10km & 5km, Pretoria Zoo, Boom Street, Daspoort, Pretoria, 7pm, Shane Gouldie 082 332 9552
Saturday 29 July
Zwartkop Half Marathon, 10 & 5km Fun Run, Zwartkop Lapa, Wierda Road, Centurion, 7am, Kierie van der Schyff 082 804 4803
Hazeldean Valley Winter Night Trail Series 15km, 10km & 5km, Cowhouse Market, Ridge Road, Pretoria East, 4pm, Evelyn Botha 083 669 8588
Sunday 30 July
Elephant Big Red Barn Family Day 21km, 10km & 5km, Big Red Barn, Nelson Road, Olifantsfontein, Pretoria North, 8am, Shane Gouldie, 082 332 9552

VAAL TRIANGLE
Saturday 29 July
Hi-Performance Midas Road Runners 10km & 5km, Old Vaaltonians Sports Ground, Abraham Kriel Street, Vanderbijlpark, 8am, Ken Patrick 083 253 1035

WESTERN CAPE

BOLAND
Saturday 1 – Sunday 2 July
Grootvadersbosch Trail Run, (30km 7 20km), Honeywood Farm, Grootvadersbosch, near Swellendam/Heidelberg, 8:30am, Quantum Adventures 021 789 0188 (w)
Saturday 8 July
Run The Vines #6 17km, 10km & 5km, Ridgeback Wines, near Paarl, 7:45am, 8am & 8:15am, Lans Pepler 082 787 2472
Sunday 9 July
Wine Adventure Trail Run 15km, 10km & 5km, Warwick Wine Estate, on R44 between Stellenbosch & Klapmuts, 9am, 9:15am & 9:30am, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (w)
Saturday 15 July
Salomon Bastille Day Trail Run 50km, 35km, 24km & 10km, Bells Lodge, Berg River Dam, Franschhoek, 6am, Caeli Manuel 072 924 2371
Baytown 12 & 6km, Miems Restaurant, Pringle Bay, 8am, Sonja du Toit 084 850 0681
Saturday 22 July
You Go Girl Trail Run 17km, 10km & 5km, Anura Wine Estate, near Klapmuts, 8am, 8:15am & 8:30am, Lans Pepler 082 787 2472
Sunday 23 July
Spur Cape Winter Trail Series #1 15.6km & 8.8km, Paul Cluver Estate, Elgin-Grabouw, 9am & 9:21am, Wildrunner 072 438 3242
Gluhwein Trail Run 13km & 8km, Delheim Wine Estate, Knorhoek Road, off R44 between Stellenbosch & Klapmuts, 9:15am & 9:30am, Dirtopia 021 884 4752 (w)
Saturday 29 July
Merrell Whale of Trail 53km in Partnership with Cape Nature, De Hoop Nature Reserve, near Arniston, 7am, Tatum Prins 083 449 0760

SOUTH WESTERN DISTRICTS
Saturday 8 July
Palm Tyres 10km & 5km, Palm Tyre Garage, Courtney Street, George, 7am, Sidwell Oktober 078 395 8489
Simola Phantom Night Run 12km & 6km, Simola Golf Estate, Gouna Road, Knysna, 5pm, Christine Collins 044 382 2932 (w)
Sunday 9 July
The Elephant Free Range Run 7km, SANParks Diepwalle Forestry Station, Any time from 9am to 4pm, Christine Collins 044 382 2932 (w)
Monday 10 July
The Terblans Free Range Run 6.5km, SANParks Grootdraai Picnic Site, Gouna, Any time from 9am to 4pm, Christine Collins 044 382 2932 (w)
Athletics SWD & Knysna Marathon Club Business Relay 4x4km, Knysna Marathon Club, Loerie Park, George Rex Drive, Knysna, 3pm, Athletics SWD 044 873 0023 (w)
Tuesday 11 July
Salomon Featherbed Trail Run 21km, 15km & 11km, Cruise Cafe Restaurant, Knysna Waterfront, 6:30am (21), 8am, 11:30am & 3pm (15 & 11), Race Organiser 044 382 2932 (w)
The Bushpig Free Range Run 6.5km, Cape Nature Goukamma Nature Reserve, Any time from 9am to 4pm, Christine Collins 044 382 2932 (w)
Athletics SWD & Knysna Marathon Club Street Mile, Knysna Marathon Club, Loerie Park, George Rex Drive, Knysna, 10am, Athletics SWD 044 873 0023 (w)
Wednesday 12 July
The Elephant Free Range Run 7km, SANParks Diepwalle Forestry Station, Any time from 9am to 4pm, Christine Collins 044 382 2932 (w)
Thursday 13 July
The Terblans Free Range Run 6.5km, SANParks Grootdraai Picnic Site, Gouna, Any time from 9am to 4pm, Christine Collins 044 382 2932 (w)
Friday 14 July
The Bushpig Free Range Run 6.5km, Cape Nature Goukamma Nature Reserve, Any time from 9am to 4pm, Christine Collins 044 382 2932 (w)
Saturday 15 July
Momentum Cape Times Knysna Forest Marathon & Half Marathon, The Glebe, Knysna Forest, to Festival Grounds, Waterfront Drive, 7am & 8am, Marianne Brown 076 195 4832
Sunday 16 July
Houtkapper Trail Run 27km, 15km & 9km, Ouinta Da Montanha, Rheenendal, 8:30am, Mihan Roos 082 537 6167

WESTERN PROVINCE
Saturday 1 July
Timbercity Spookhill Challenge 15km & 5km, Beaumont Primary School, Van der Merwe Street, Somerset West, 8am & 8:15am, Schalk Hoon 082 828 9120
ORAK 12-hour Track Race, Vredendal Sports Grounds, Dam Street, 6am, Gerrie Cilliers 083 650 0642
WPA Winter Cross Country Relay, Venue TBC, 11am, Andy James 082 707 6040
Saturday 8 July
Eersterivier 15km & 5km PLUS 10km Walk, Stratford Primary School, Wuppertal Street, Clairwood, Eersterivier, 7:15am & 7:45am PLUS 7:30am, Johannes Kamfer 084 462 7431
Sunday 9 July
Lourensford Winter Trail Run 16km, 10km & 5km, Lourensford Wine Estate, Somerset West, 8:30am, 8:35am & 8:40am, Race Organiser 021 789 0188 (w)
Tuesday 11 July
Land Rover N1 City Run The Greens Night Run Series #1 7km, Durbanville Golf Club, Sport Way, Durbanville, 6:30pm, Lans Pepler 082 787 2472
Saturday 15 July
Easterns 15km & 6km, Protea Heights Academy, cnr Helling & Jacaranda Str, Protea Hoogte, Brackenfell, 7:15am & 7:25am, William Swartbooi 084 247 7170
Saturday 22 July
Cape Town Festival of Running 100km & 50km PLUS 5x5km Relay, Sea Point Promenade, opposite SABC building, 6am PLUS 12pm, Kanu Sukha 072 210 1127
Sunday 23 July
Cape Town Festival of Running Half Marathon Classic, Sea Point Promenade, opposite SABC building, 7am, Kanu Sukha 072 210 1127
Saturday 29 July
WPA Cross Country League #7, Nantes Park, near Vangate Mall, 11am, Vonney Dreyer 082 663 3242
Sunday 30 July
McKenna Scott Pinelands 10km & 5km, Pinelands Athletic Club, Lower Oval, Pinelands, 7:30am & 7:35am, Dion Stevens 082 730 8320
Spur Cape Winter Trail Series #2 12.1km & 8.1km, Tygerberg Nature Reserve, Parow, 9am & 9:21am, Wildrunner 072 438 3242

KWAZULU-NATAL
Sunday 2 July
Umhlanga Tourism Talisman Hire Winter Trail 18km, 12km & 6km, Sibaya Casino, Sugar Cane Road, Umhlanga, 6:30am, Buzz Bolton 082 956 1608
Pehr Burry Stander Sardine Festival Trail Runs 12km & 5km, Port Edward Holiday Resort, Owen Ellis Drive, Port Edward, 6:30am, Race Organiser 084 550 4138
Winter Series Aloe Wildlife 20km, 13km & 6km, Aloe Wildlife Estate, Camperdown, 7am (20) & 7:30am (13 & 6), Lauren Booth 082 791 7069
Wednesday 5 July
Giba Gorge Night Fun Trail Run 10km & 5km, Giba Gorge MTB Park, Stockville Road, Pinetown, 6pm, Fiona Williams 079 508 7268
Friday 7 – Sunday 9 July
iSimangaliso Trail Cahllenge, (6km, 37km & 38km), iSimangaliso Wetland Park, Sugarloaf Campsite, Lake St Lucia Estuary, Lauren Booth 082 791 7069
Saturday 8 July
Durban West Tourism Eco Trail Run 8km, 5km & 2.5km, Westville Country Club, 7am, Julia Cullinan 060 926 7694
Sportsmans Trail Series #3 10km & 5km, Cascades MTB Park, McCarthy Drive, Pietermaritzburg, 7:30am, Travis Dalrymple-Kelly 076 424 0694
Sunday 9 July
Waterfall Superspar Forest 10km, Forest Hills Sports Club, Forest Drive, Kloof, 7am, Dirk Coetzee 071 610 3860
Saturday 15 July
TAFTA Fun 5km & 2km Walk, North Beach Amphitheatre, Durban, 8am, Ateesha Rampersad 031 332 3721 (w)
Gooderson Drakensberg Gardens Trail Run 15km & 7.5km, Drakensburg Gardens Hotel, Underberg, 9am & 9:10am, Dave Ward 082 492 1995
Saturday 15 – Sunday 16 July
Creighton Aloe Festival Trail Run & Race the Train, Saturday: 20km, 8km & 5km, Sunday: Train Trail 20km, Avebury Farm, Creighton, Saturday: 8am (20 & 8) & 8:10am (5), Sunday: 7am, Heidi Carter-Brown 072 244 6061
Sunday 16 July
Phezulu Trail Run 18km, 10km & 5km, Phezulu Safari Park, Botha’s Hill, 7am (18) & 7:30am (10 & 5), Lauren Booth 082 791 7069
Totalsports Women’s Race 10km & 5km, Kings Park Athletics Track, Jacko Jackson Drive, Durban, 8am, Stillwater Sports 082 991 0445
Sunday 23 July
Tinman 10km, Suncoast Casino, Durban, 7am, B-Active 031 764 1885 (w)
Boughton Forest 15km & 5km Trail Run, Linpark High School, Claude Forsyth Road, Boughton, 8am, Contact TBC
Dafco Urban Challenge Trail Run 16km, 8km & 4km, Amanzimtoti Sports Centre, Riverside Road, Hutchison Park, 4pm, Cathy Colley 083 767 9471
Saturday 29 July
Ngoje Trail Run Eshowe 36km, 22km, 10km & 5km, Brocklee Dam, Eshowe, 6am, Meg Kennedy, 083 286 5768
Sunday 30 July
Howick Highlander Run 20km, 10km & 5km, WESSA – Umgeni Valley Nature Reserve, Karkloof Road, Howick, 7:40am, Kim Burnie 082 572 5050

FREE STATE
Saturday 8 July
Castle Lite Trail Run 10km & 5km, Brandkop Conservancy, Houtepoppie Street, Pelissier, Bloemfontein, 8am, More info: http://pureadventures.co.za
Saturday 29 July
Trailrun Series Tempe Urban Trail 10km & 5km, Tempe Military Base, Furstenburg Road, Tempe, Bloemfontein, 8:30am, Nelio Da Sa 082 777 6770

EASTERN CAPE

BORDER
Saturday 1 July
Katberg Eco Trail Run 21km, 10km & 3km, Katberg Eco Golf Estate, near Blafour, 9am, Sharon Eldridge 083 284 3781
Friday 7 July
ELB Washie 100 Miler, Halyards Hotel, Albany Street, Port Alfred, to Buffalo Club, East London, 5pm, Meta Scott 081 487 4984
Saturday 8 July
Trevor Klose 10km & 5km, East London Athletic Club, French Street, Cambridge, East London, 7am, Graham Reynolds 082 448 0727
Rhodes Trail Run 52km, Rhodes Farmers Hall, 7am, Evie Raubenheimer 041 581 6307 (h)
Sunday 30 July
Gulu Trail Challenge 10km & 4km, Farm 19, Gulu, on Fort Pato Road, near East London, 9am, Nadia Lucouw 078 091 7200

EASTERN PROVINCE
Wednesday 5 July
Merrell Winter Night Trail Run 8km & 5km, Norm Huldin Trails, Kragga Kamma Road, Port Elizabeth, 6:30pm, Tatum Prins 083 449 0760
Saturday 22 – Sunday 23 July
JBayX Trail Run 2-day 60km, 10km & 5km, Saturday: 20km (7am) & 20km (7pm), Sunday: 20km (7am), Lower Point WinterFest Hub, Tecoma Street, Jeffreys Bay, 7am, Rieghard Janse Van Rensburg 071 896 6831
Sunday 23 July
Spur PE Trail Series #1 9.8km & 4.8km, Sacramento Nature Reserve, Marine Drive, Port Elizabeth, 9am, Wildrunner 072 438 3242
Tuesday 25 July
Town Lodge Business Night Relay 5×3.5km Run & 3×3.5km Walk, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Fettes Road, Port Elizabeth, 6pm, Michelle de Bruyn 041 484 7860 (w)
Saturday 29 July
Galaxy Bingo Heartbreak Hill Half Marathon & 5km, Italian Club, Harold Road, Charlo, Port Elizabeth, 6:30am, Eusentha Pillay 084 665 0910
Sunday 30 July
Spur PE Trail Series #2, Norm-Hudlin Trails, Kragga Kamma Road, Port Elizabeth, 9am, Wildrunner 072 438 3242

FAR NORTH

LIMPOPO
Saturday 8 July
Haenertsburg Iron Crown Trail Run Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Haenertsburg Village Market Square, 7:30am, Rod Harman 071 889 0425
Saturday 22 July
Savannah Mall 3-in-1 Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Savannah Mall, Polokwane, 7:30am, Corrie Calitz 072 149 2674
Saturday 29 July
Foskor 21 Half Marathon & 10km, Foskor Community Centre, Calvin Ngobeni Street, Manakgale, Phalaborwa, 11am, Molatelo Rankweteke 084 552 4323

MPUMALANGA
Saturday 1 July
Buffalo Run Half Marathon, 10km & 5km CANCELLED
Saturday 8 July
Hall's Half Marathon & 10km, Hall's Gateway to the Lowveld, on the N4, 4km from Nelspruit/Mbombela, 7am, Mark Greeff 079 881 3582
Saturday 8 July
Buffalo Gorge Trail Series 18km, 10km, 6.5km & 1.5km, Buffalo Gorge Eco Adventure Centre, Buffelskloof Farm, Middelburg, 8:30am, Ryk Diepraam 083 528 9586
Saturday 15 July
Mozma's Trading Legogote Villagers Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, White River Rugby Club, 7am, Ashley Betteridge 081 305 3575
Saturday 29 July
Dullies Altitude Charity Challenge 21km, 10km & 5km, Dullstroom Dam & Nature Reserve, 8am, Charmane Horn 082 654 6654
Num-Num Trail Challenge 32km & 15km, Pongola Express Camp, near Waterval Boven, 7am & 7:30am, Debbie Agenbag 083 294 5260

NORTH WEST

CENTRAL NORTH WEST
Saturday 15 July
Rassie Smith Memorial 10km & 5km, Orkney Cricket Club, Victory Park, Orkney, 8:30am, Charles Wade 082 828 4357

NORTH WEST NORTH
Sunday 2 July
Spur Gauteng Winter Trail Series #4 13.8km & 8.7km, Leeuwenkloof, Broederstroom, 9am, Wildrunner 072 438 3242

NORTHERN CAPE

GRIQUALAND WEST
Saturday 29 July
Run Walk for Life 777 Half Marathon, 14km & 7km, Flamingo Casino, Transvaal Road, Kimberley, 7:14am, Jenny Uys 082 834 8499

NORTH WEST CAPE
No races scheduled for this period

NEIGHBOURING COUNTRIES

NAMIBIA
Saturday 1 July
Rubbish Run Half Marathon, 10km & 5km, Otjihase Road (At boom near B6), Windhoek, 6:30am, 7am & 7:15am, Susan +264 (0)81 212 4421
Charity Run Half Marathon & 5km, Okahandja, Time and contact person TBC
Saturday 8 July
Victory Series Half Marathon & 5km, Keetmanshoop, 7am, Old Mutual +264 (0)61 299 3249
Sunday 9 July
XTrail 16km & 7km, Eagle’s Nest, Avis Dam, Windhoek, Time TBC, Yvonne +264 (0)81 142 9966
Saturday 15 July
Two Dams Country Run 11km, Elisenheim Picnic Spot, Windhoek, 7am, Joel Talbot +264 (0)61 433 6000
Saturday 22 July
Oshana Region 10km, Oshakati, Time and contact person TBC
Sunday 23 July
Windhoek Citi Run Marathon, Half Marathon, 10km & 5km PLUS 21km & 10km Walk, Zoo Park, Independence Avenue, Windhoek, 6am (42), 7am (21W), 7:30am (21), 7:45am (10), 8am (5), Charles +264 (0)81 124 9471
Saturday 29 July
Victory Series Half Marathon & 5km, Swakopmund, 7am, Old Mutual +264 (0)61 299 3249

ORIENTEERING
Sunday 2 July
Gauteng Bush Event #5, (Middle-distance), Stirrup Glen, Walkerville, Time TBC, RACO: Roger Blane 083 306 9161
Sunday 16 July
Cape Colour-coded Event, Venue & Time TBC, PENOC: info@penoc.org.za
Sunday 23 July
Gauteng Bush Event #6, (Long O distance), Hennops Valley, Centurion, Time TBC, RACO: Roger Blane 083 306 9161
Saturday 29 July
Polokwane Sprint Event, Capricorn TVET College, Seshego Campus, Polokwane, Time TBC, POC:
Saturday 29 – Sunday 30 July
Western Cape Champs, Saturday: Long Distance & Sunday: Middle Distance, !Khwa ttu, West Coast, Time TBC, PENOC: info@penoc.org.za

OBSTACLE RACING
Friday 7 July
Impi Day-Night Series #6, 5km with obstacles, Jackal Creek Estate Golf Club, Roodepoort, Gauteng, 4pm, Race Info 087 013 5044
Saturday 15 July
Gajiga Run #11, 5km with inflatable obstacles, Big Red Barn, Olifantsfontein, Pretoria North, Gauteng North, 9am, www.gajiga.co.za
Saturday 22 July
300 Obstacle Course 2-in-1 Obstacle Time Trial & Fun Event, 300 Obstacle Course, cnr Blackwood Street & General Hertzog Road, Three Rivers, Vereeniging, 8am (Fun) & 9:30 (TT), info@300oc.co.za
Sunday 30 July
BattleRush Winter Charge, JoziX, Main Road & Sloane Street, Sandton, 8am, Marco 082 605 1150

MULTISPORT
Sunday 2 July
SA Duathlon & Long Distance Duathlon Champs, Super Sprint (12-15): 2.5km/10km/1.25km (7am), Sprint (16-19): 5km/20km/2.5km (7:45am), Long Distance: 10km/60km/10km (8am) & Standard: 10km/40km/5km (9:30am), Midmar Dam, Howick, KwaZulu-Natal, More info: http://saduchamps.kzntriathlon.co.za
Sunday 23 July
Tinman Triathlon #2, Tinman Challenge 1km/30km/10km (7:40am), Tinman Sprint 600m/21km/5km (7:20am) & Tinman Mini (200m/6km/2.5km (7:10am), Suncoast Casino, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, B-Active 031 764 1885
 

ADVENTURE RACING
No fixtures scheduled in this period

When it is cold and dark outside, we runners can often come up with plenty of excuses to avoid training, so try these great training tips to find the motivation to get out of from under our duvets, beat the freeze and keep fit! – BY RAY ORCHISON, CERTIFIED COACH

The alarm goes off and you slowly open your eyes, all snug in your warm, toasty bed, and you recall the promise you made to yourself to get up early and run, but then the excuses start coming thick and fast for not heading out, and so the alarm is reset for another hour, maybe even two, the duvet is pulled all the way up and it’s back to sleep. A simple way to avoid this temptation is to put your alarm out of arm’s reach, so that you can’t simply lean over and hit snooze. When it goes off, you’ll have to get up to switch it off, and once you’re up, there’s less chance that you’re going to climb back into bed.

The toughest part of training in winter is getting out of bed, but once you’re up and out on the road, you soon realise that it’s actually not as bad, or as cold, as you thought. But if you really can’t bear the thought of heading out the door into the icy cold dark, there are other ways to keep your fitness levels ticking over in winter.

1 Hit the gym: Do a 10-15min easy warm-up on a spinning bike, the Stair Master or the elliptical trainer, all with low resistance gradually building up to a higher RPM. Next, head to the treadmill, set the elevation to 1.5% (to offset treadmill training being easier due to no wind resistance), and play around with various 10-20min sessions of quality:
• Run easy for 90 seconds, then hard for 60 seconds, repeating 6-10 times.
• Increase the pace and elevation to 4-5% for 60 seconds and then easy for 120
seconds, repeating 5-6 times to give you a great hill session.
• Do a tempo session of 5min easy and then increase the pace until you’re hitting
your 5 or 10k race pace and hold that for 10-15min, then easy for another 5min.

2 Join the class: Sign up for one of the group classes for spinning or aerobics. It’s far easier getting back to training when you know others will be slogging it out next to you.

3 Hit the indoor pool: Do a few swimming sessions, which are great for core muscle strength and building your cardiovascular system. The water temperature at most gyms is normally around 25 degrees – warmer than outside!

4 Skip the dark: There is no rule stating that to be a runner one has to train in the morning or evening. Why not slip out for a quick run during your lunch break?

5 Set yourself a goal: Identify a race in the next month or two, make it your goal and you’ll find all the motivation you need!

The Western States Endurance Run, known commonly as the Western States 100, A gruelling 161 km ultramarathon that takes place on trails in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains. This tests your trail running ability as well as your navigation. The winner also focuses on keeping his or her hydration time and “pit stops” to a minimum.

The Western States 100 mile Endurance Run is known as the ‘original 100 miler.’ Ryan who came 2nd last year this time took first place in 16hours 18min.

A huge well done to Ryan from everyone at Modern Athlete. The red bull athlete was seen crossing the line with a live feed courtesy of www.irunfar.com.

Camille Herron who won this years Comrades Marathon is also featuring in the race and is a favorite to win.

Wayde van Niekerk proved again last night why he is truly one of the stars of international athletics when he won the 100 metres at the EA Classic Meeting in Velenje, Slovenia in a time of 9.94s.

His winning time is 0.04s faster than his previous best, more importantly, is the fact that he did so at sea level so he can now claim to be an “honest member” of the sub ten second club in the 100 metres. He ran his previous best of 9.98s in Bloemfontein.

“I am very pleased,” said Van Niekerk in an IAAF interview. “It is my best time and I am glad the race played out the way I wanted it to. This bodes well for my two main distances the 200m and 400m.”

Ten days ago in Kingston Van Niekerk set a new South African record in the 200m when he clocked 19.84s. Van Niekerk is currently the fastest athlete over 200m and 6th fastest athlete over the 100m.

Last night’s 100 metres was an all-South African affair with Emile Erasmus (Tuks) finishing second in 10.12s and Henricho Bruintjies (Tuks) third in 10.14s. It is the second best time of Erasmus’s career.

Johannesburg, South Africa – The SPAR Grand Prix has reached the halfway stage, with three SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge races completed and three to go. Challenge newcomer Kesa Molotsane has moved into a 21 point lead on the SPAR Grand Prix ladder, after coming second in the Durban leg of the SPAR Women’s 10km Challenge on Sunday.

Molotsane was also second in Cape Town, and she won the Port Elizabeth race. She earned bonus points in both races, and has a total of 78 points. The current Grand Prix title holder, Irvette van Zyl, was third in Cape Town and second in Port Elizabeth, also earning bonus points in each. However, she was forced to drop out of the Durban race because of an injury. She has 57 points.

The 2015 Grand Prix winner, Lebogang Phalula, who was fourth in Cape Town, fifth in Port Elizabeth and third in Durban, is closing in on Van Zyl with 51 points.

Nolene Conrad and Mapaseka Makhanya, who won the Grand Prix in 2013, are in joint fourth position with 44 points.

The winner of Sunday’s race, British athlete Tish Jones, is in 12th position, with 30 points, after finishing within the target time. Jones did not compete in the first two races, but says she intends to run at least two more, which means she could challenge Moletsane before the final race in Johannesburg in October.

One of the outstanding achievers is Judy Bird, running in the 50-59 years category. She has been the first Master home in all three races, earning time bonus points in each, for a category total of 30 points.

At the halfway stage, KPMG is the leading club, with 292 points. Nedbank has 284, and Boxer is lying third, with 215.

The last three races will be run in Pretoria on August 5, Pietermaritzburg on August 20 and Johannesburg on October 8.

You may have recently achieved one of your biggest sporting goals, be it Comrades or the Ironman, and you may be asking yourself, what do I do now? Here are a few great ideas. – BY DERICK MARCISZ, CERTIFIED COACH

For many athletes this time of year is for resting and recovery after a big event, but for how long do you rest, and then what should you do in this so-called ‘off-season’ until you start training for the next big event? I believe that athletes should take up to four weeks rest, and then try to ease back into some form of training. This is not always easy, and the temptation is strong to stay under the duvet on those cold winter mornings, but the key to any training is to always have a goal, so even during this off-season/winter period it is important to identify a goal, however simple, and to avoid training aimlessly! Here are some suggestions for winter training goals for both triathletes and Comrades runners.

SWIMMING
Winter is a great time to improve your swimming technique. The indoor pool is actually the warmest place to train in winter! Most swim training for triathletes is generally geared towards swimming distance rather than speed, so why not work on your technique and speed by keeping the sessions short and doing faster reps.

DUATHLON
A duathlon (run/bike/run) is tough, but it is something different and will build strength, whether you are a runner or a triathlete. Here the emphasis is on speed on both the run and the bike, as the distances are fairly short.

CYCLING
Winter is not the ideal time to ride, because of the cold, but there are still bike races most weekends, so if cycling is your thing, aim to race one of these events. Training sessions will include a longer ride on the weekend and either indoor sessions or spinning classes in the week.

SHORT DISTANCE RUNNING
Winter is the perfect opportunity for triathletes to rediscover their ‘running legs’ and for Comrades runners to improve their speed. Your run training in winter should be a maximum of four sessions, as follows:
• Long run of 15-18km
• Easy recovery run of 10-12km
• Intermediate run of 10km, with some speed work
• Race or time trial up to 21km

RUNNING DRILLS
This is my favourite! I find it absolutely amazing that runners do not believe they should work on their running form! All other sports, without fail, include some form of drills. Yet, runners think they do not need to do this. So, take one day a week to go to a nearby track or sports field, do a 4km warm-up run and then drills such as high knees, butt kicks and fast feet. In just five minutes you can do two sets of each for 30 to 50 metres at a time and greatly improve your running style.

About the Author
Derick is a Joburg-based running and triathlon coach, with multiple ultra-marathon and Ironman finishes to go with his 20-plus years of experience in coaching. He is also the Modern Athlete DARE TO TRI Coach, and has helped hundreds DTT novices to their first Ironman finishes.

The 8th Annual BIG5 Challenge is fast approaching and the competition for podium spots is heating up with the likes of Bradley Weiss, Davide Del Fante, Dean Hopf and Theo Blignaut fighting it out over five events during the ten days of the Pick n Pay Knysna Oyster Festival between 7 and 16 July.

The ladies’ competition also promises to be tight with Vicky van der Merwe and Fienie Barnard taking on the field of South Africa’s strongest and most adventurous multi-sport athletes.

“This is going to be an exceptionally exciting year,” says BIG5 Challenge Race Director Gary Marescia, “both defending champions Andrea Steyn and Stuart Murray are unable to participate. It throws the competition wide open!”

Known as ‘The Ultimate Multisport Challenge’ the BIG5 includes entries to some of South Africa’s most popular outdoor events including the Momentum Knysna Cycle Tour MTB Race and the Momentum Knysna Forest Half Marathon. The challenge also includes the Featherbed Trail Run, the MTB-X – a combination obstacle course and mountain bike route – and the Knysna Lagoon Mile Swim.

“I am not sure if I enjoy the amazing vibe or the racing more, but this has become my favourite event every winter!’” says Dean Hopf.

If an open water swim isn’t your idea of fun, consider the BIG5Lite where the swim is optional and can be replaced by either the Harbour2Heads 11km paddle or the Momentum Cycle Tour Road race.

“For years the Big5 has been the pinnacle of multi-sport events during the cold South African winter – dragging athletes from the comfort of their warm homes and forcing them to train in unfavourable conditions for a week of pain and suffering labelled as a 'holiday'!” laughs Bradley Weiss “But let’s be honest, the FOMO of sitting it out and taking shelter next to the fireplace is so much worse! Fighting through adversity makes the reward of completing this action-packed race so much sweeter and gives each and every competitor a real sense of accomplishment. I for one cannot wait to go up against the elements and come out victorious!”

To find out more go ton www.big5sportchallenge.com

Wöstmann withdraws from 2017 Comrades Marathon

Ultra-distance runner Caroline Wöstmann will not defend her Comrades Marathon ‘Up-Run’ title on June 4 after losing a race against time to recover from a hamstring injury.

Wöstmann has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the 2017 Comrades Marathon on advice from her medical team. Suffering a hamstring injury at last month’s Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, Wöstmann undertook an intensive rehabilitation regime with the hopes of defending her ‘Up-Run’ title.
“Despite aggressive recovery treatments and rehab to the injury, it hasn’t healed sufficiently to allow me to safely compete at Comrades this year,” Wöstmann said.

“On Sunday the 4th of June 2017 I won’t be running the Comrades Marathon but I will be one of the supporters. “Even though everything in me wants to go and run Comrades, I have made the heart-breaking decision to listen to my medical team and withdraw from the race.”
Wöstmann was initially positive about the prognosis and looked set to line up for the race in just over a week’s time.

“During Two Oceans I picked up a hamstring niggle where it was later diagnosed as a neural injury which was far more serious than originally presumed,” Wöstmann explained.
“I want to thank all my sponsors, my team, and my friends for their incredible support.”

The 34-year-old Wöstmann made history in 2015 when she became the first South African woman to win the Comrades Marathon in 14 years.

Wöstmann captured the imagination in 2016 when she battled through cramps and injury to finish second behind Charne Bosman. Even though Wöstmann will not be racing this year, she has vowed to show her support to the thousands of athletes that will take on the grueling race.

“I have received so much energy and motivation from the Comrades supporters cheering me on in past years and I hope I can give that back to my fellow Comrades as they complete their journey this year,” Wöstmann said.
“I wish every one of my Comrades a life-changing adventure from Durban up to Pietermaritzburg this year.”

The Hollard Jozi Urban Mountain Bike Adventure, taking place at Marks Park on the 28th May 2017, is NOT your average mountain bike race. Naturally this means it comes some not so average prize categories! Here’s a breakdown of the prizes up for grabs in 2017.

You don’t need to be a racing snake to ride the Hollard JUMA, but if the thought of carbon frames and podium finishes excites you, there is over R80 000 up for grabs in the race categories. For the 54km, prizes for Juniors up to Grand Masters, with a trophy and prizes for the Top Ten. For the 22km the there’s R6000 in total waiting for the top three.

For those in it, just for cleats and giggles, why not enter one of the following fun categories.

For those who love riding with your saddle down low, the 54km BMX category for you! First BMX rider home on the 54km will shred their way to R3 000. If you like big bikes (and you cannot lie…) we have R2000 to give away to the winner of the Fatboy / Girl bike category. And for those lean, mean single speed machines… the Single Speed category, where the winners can ride away with up to R2000 in prize money.

Making it a family affair? Make some pocket money by entering the Parent & Child category, a total of R3000 to give to the winners of the 55km and up to R5000 for the 22km winners.

Fancy yourself a bit of a Spielberg when it comes to single track? Why not enter the Best Rider video category; we have a whopping R5 000 up for grabs for both the 22 KM and 54 KM Best Rider Videos. Requirements: 3 – 4 minutes long. Must include music that best fits the Hollard JUMA and the sponsor’s logos.

For the corporates, it’s time to settle that office beef and do some good while you’re at it. The winners of the Fastest Corporate Team for both the 22km and 54km will receive R5 000, a trophy plus R5 000 to the charity of your choice!

The Hollard JUMA is not your average mountain bike race and we want to see some out of the ordinary outfits. Winners of the Best Dressed Team, for the 22km and 54km, will sashay away with up to R3 000.

And finally… first prize as always, whether you win or lose, just experiencing the Hollard JUMA on the 28th May 2017. Entries are open! Entry fees are R399 (ex VAT) for the 54km and R299 (ex VAT) for the 22km. Don’t miss your chance to experience a whole new kind of MTB race. Enter now at www.juma.co.za.

The Hollard Jozi Urban MTB Adventure and Hollard Jozi Urban Run Adventure are brought to by Hollard and BAM Specialist Events in partnership with Johannesburg City Parks and Zoo.