The first race of the PSG Flatwater Marathon Series kicked off at ERK on Sunday, and while the forecasted rain never arrived, strong winds picked up in the day making Homestead Dam anything but flatwater with some tough headwinds but also some great downwinds.
The racing started early with the Guppies. Well done to Asher Wilson who was up front and to Amilie Mzolo who was just behind him and the first girl home. They were just ahead ofAayan and Aara Judy – with all 4 finishing within a minute of each other while Kaylan Armdorf ended up a minute behind them.
The 10km short course was dominated by Ruoxi Hao who spent his morning out alone, finishing some 10 minutes ahead of the next competitor. Phamna Mpambani and Luminathi Mnyande (also U14) were third and fourth. In the senior ladies Cath Van Eeden edged out Elandrie Zietsman, who was visiting her old club.
The main 20km event began just like a Sunday Time Trial at Dabs. With a few minutes to go, some guys were still getting to the line while others were facing the wrong way when someone started, and off they all went. Then it was clear that the main ou’s up front hadn’t listened to the race briefing (go around the green buoys) so they did a few hundred meters extra and the sheep followed until the Lowveld Ladies Erichia and Allison were the first to follow instructions. Needless to say, the slower guys and those who missed the start followed the ladies who listened, while the main ou’s saw this and didn’t make the mistake again. Dabs’ newbie Nic Notten stayed with the lead pack to get his bearings (having never been to Benoni before) and then tried to stage a breakaway after the first portage, before deciding that was a bad idea and dropping back for the company of Sibusiso Chwayi, Daniel Van Eeden and MJ Robb. However with a lap to go, Nic did go off on his own, but those were the top 4. In the Ladies race Allison Hay took first place well ahead of her clubmate Ericha Pretorius (but Alison is quite old, so she didn’t have to do the portages) and Sarah Field took third place. Aging Allison even beat her young son Kyle, although he had just run a half marathon. Richard Cook bought the race to a close. Thanks to PSG and the ERK organisers, and well done to all who supported the event.
The next Marathon event is on Sunday 10 May in Germiston. If you’re not going away for the long weekend our Dabulamanzi Paddle Games are on Saturday. Registration is from 8:00, racing starts at 9:00. Entries are closing on Thursday at 12pm so please get them in soon. Finally, we have some guys and girls off to the Freedom Paddle, good luck to all, including Nic Notten who starts as a prerace favourite with Kenny Rice having won in 2018, 2022 and 2025, and is now a Dabs lad, and Clint Cook who after growing up at Dabs is now ducking, but will be paddling with Uli Hart, making them serious contenders up against previous winners Josh Fenn and Andy Birkett. Yoh – this will be interesting!
Till next time – Go Dabs!