The cold arrived in full force, and with it the first of the Dabs Derakane Winter Time Trial Series KZN Resins and Ineos. Thanks to Steve Beal for once again sponsoring the Winter Series. The deal is you need to do 8 Thursday Time Trials before the end of August to score an awesome Dabs Puffer Jacket. It was a fresh evening but lots of antifreeze (Old Brown Sherry) soon warmed things up. Don’t miss out, come do the series! Oh yes, the new Blue kit also arrived – it’s awesome, especially if you are a Blue Bull Supporter and can’t afford their stuff. Have you ordered yours?
Well, we didn’t have a canoe race this weekend, but there were some canoeists (and ex canoeists) at the Ultimate Human Race, the Comrades. Sadly, our only lady entrant had been ill, and sensibly, Claudia didn’t start. The first of our boy’s home was Ian Wilson on his first run in 9:31; making his mom and dad very proud; although Colin was faster when he ran back in 2000. Sheldon, who was planning on a sub 10 came home in 9:58, showing us what a precise accountant he is; while Andrew Hall needed 10:38 to finish, revealing that he is better in a river than on the road. Both Kevin and Chuck should definitely stick to canoeing where they are much better; they needed 11:52 and 11:53 to get home, but finish they did. Beers well-earned boys, Respect and Cheers!
In this, the 97th running, it was hoped that Barry Holland would make it to the incredible 50 but he was battling and bailed, so perhaps this honour will be earned by both Barry and Louis Massyn in 2025. Canoeists made the first to 50 ultras mark some years earlier with Charlie Mason getting to 50 Umko’s in 2017, Lyle Wheeler to 50 Dusi’s in 2021 and Giel van Deventer to 50 Bergs, also in 2021. Inspirational Legends.
A couple of our previous-members were also out there – well done to (the proper athlete) Stu Rawlinson who finished in a 6:47 to claim another Silver for the family and wow, well done to Alan Robb who ran his 44th Comrades in 10:43 at the age of 70. Alan first ran in 1974 and came third before going on to take 4 wins, and then Fordyce took over, but Alan won 12 Golds and 16 Silvers. Respect. Up at the front where he once was, was a Dutchman (a real one from Holland) who missed the record by 20 seconds while the local Dutchie and Darling of SA running, Gerda Steyn crushed her own record – albeit on a shortened course. Brilliant performances by both. Gerda will be running the Olympic Marathon on August 11th which she could well win, and wouldn’t that be wonderful.
Talking Olympics, congratulations to Nkosi who will be going to Paris as the Canoeing SA Team Manager – Fantastic stuff, Dabs is very happy for you! Also going to Paris will be Alan Witherden. This will be his 5th trip to the Olympics over the last 20 years as a Sprints Official. Some say that’s really impressive but there are also those who say he should have given others a chance; some years ago. If it were you, what would you do?
It’s the SA Marathon Champs this weekend. If you have nothing else to do, go watch, both the elite girls and guys racing will be great. Good luck to all in our new blue kit.
Go Dabs!