Dabs News | Gauteng Marathon Champs

While Joburg’s winter got real, the final showdown of the PSG Gauteng Marathon Champs took place out at White River, where the weather was way warmer.

Those who went got to enjoy the beautiful scenery and amazing dam with all its fish eagles, giant kingfishers and louries. Thanks to the Lowveld Canoe Club for all the organizing hosting, thanks to all the worker bees and well done on the goody bags – many said they were the best ever.

First up on Saturday it was the U10 an U12 guppies – and yet again Amilie Mzolo was fastest, beating all the other girls and boys. Amilie is really looking like a strong and competent little paddler with great technique – we look forward to watching her grow from strength to strength. Luke Trollip was second home, closely followed by Aayan and then his sister Aara Judy, with Kaylen Armdorf claiming bronze in the boys podium alongside Permission in the girls section. Well done to all the guppie racers, and thank you to all the parents, coaches and teachers who’re helping build our future stars – and a special shout out to Nomthy for playing mummy-bear to 2 busloads of Scarcies. The field is really enriched with everyone’s participation.

In the short course 10km event, many expected young Rui Hao to take the win, but Esti Olivier had other ideas. Local Lowvelder’s Derrick Mills and Craig Metherell were next home followed by the U14’s Given Mathelemusa and then Phamna Phambani. Given is Patrick’s son, and Pat was very proud to share a picture of his boy on the podium. Well done boys – keep it up!

In the long course, the race soon settled into several different bunches with Nic Notten Luke Salmon and Brad Boulle taking the podium places a few minutes ahead of the next bunch where the end sprint was won by the evergreen Mike Stewart. In the ladies, Ali Hay once again posted the fastest time, ahead of Emma Hatfield and Erichia Pretorius, but both Emma and Erichia had to portage while Ali (who is a little older) didn’t have to. Talking portages, these always create some humour for the spectators, cause the stuff we see on the socials seldom plays out as well in real life, and that’s at the sharp end; down with the back markers things are way worse. And even painful. But we won’t name or shame. And talking back markers, Cath Van Eeden was super excited to finish yet another full course and not come last. Go girl!

In the K2 events on Sunday Luke Salmon & Brad Boulle started as though they indented to spend the morning out on their own but then found themselves in the company of the new pairing of Nic Notten & Sibusiso Chwayi along with the local lads Piers Cruickshanks & Mark Smith. It was great to see Mark back in action, and that Piers is still as strong as ever. Nic & Sbuda proved to be a great combo, they remained composed, saved themselves for the end sprint and then took the win ahead of Luke & Brad, with Piers & Mark taking bronze. Sbuda’s training (morning school and all) is clearly paying dividends. Among the ladies, Amy & Emma (looking like the real deal in a Nelo) easily took the win ahead of Lowvelder’s Ali & Erichia while Elandrie & Renschi took bronze. Epic stuff – now we wait to see how our Gauteng Champs will fare at the SA Champs in Cape Town next month.

In other news, well done to Darryl Dingley who just completed the Hamburg Iron Man. Spare a thought for Mick and Mandy Joyce, who along with John Barrrow won’t be doing any paddling (or work, or any other normal stuff) in the next few weeks as they will be too busy riding to Paarl in the Freedom Challenge. Then on Sunday it’s the 99th running of the Big C; and this year it’s up to Maritzburg. Best wishes to Sheldon Baker, Pierro Ippo and any others that may be out in Dabs colours – and the Pirate Ian Benson who is going for no 38.

Don’t forget, the Winter TT Series promises hot chocolate and OB sherry at the end, plus a pair of Limited Edition Dab’s Funky Pants if you do just 8!

Till next time – Go Dabs!