Pinelands Athletic Club

Week 06

Hello everybody,
Our membership continues to grow – another batch of new members – welcome and welcome back to a few members rejoining after an absence.
A list of all the new members will appear in the club’s newsletter (In Touch) which should be out during February.

Attached please find the WPA February Newsletter.

The Lion of Africa 21 km and 10km on Saturday was a record for the organisers – 1300 finishers in the 21km and 1100 in the 10km. The weather was a cool start but it got hotter as the race progressed – fortunately a huge part of the route was run in the shade of the trees of the Constantia Valley. The Pinelands turnout was again huge just like at the Kloof Nek last week – over 50 finishers. Well done to Ayden Smith (a new junior in the club) on his second place (Junior category) in the 10km.
(Ayden you can collect your prize money at the club on Thursday)

The final leg of the Cape Summer Trail Series was held in Elgin on Sunday (a very hot day!) Well done to Phillipa Cloete who was third overall (of all five legs) in her age group. Melany Porter was third in the XL Trail run which was also run in Elgin on Sunday.
Well done girls !

Please note that the Milkwood 21km is on 4 March and not on 26 February as on some calendars. The start of the Milkwood has been moved to the foot of Red Hill.

The Monday (Fartlek) and Tuesday (Hill Repeats) is well supported – have you tried either of them?

There have been a few inquiries as to when the Outeniqua marathons are: The Outeniqua 21k+42k is on Sat.21 April and the Knysna 21k+42k is on Sat. 14 July.

A FEW POINTS TO KEEP IN MIND:

• On Valentine’s Day (Tuesday 14 February) Runners World are hosting a 10km trail run in the Kirstenbosch Gardens (Runners World Love Running Trail Run) Picnic in the gardens after the run. See www.runnersworld.co.za
• The annual 26km Bat Run is on 3 March starting at 19h00. See www.batrun.co.za
• The Two Oceans is on Saturday 7 April.
Entries for the 56km ultra close on 29 Feb or at 11000 - online entries close on 7 March or at 11000. At present there are 3258 entries. Don’t forget you need to qualify (5 hours) to enter Oceans Ultra.
Please note that both the 21 km and the trail runs are full.
Should you need to downgrade or upgrade your entry, please refer to the Two Oceans webpage, as this can only be done between certain dates.
• Entries for the Peninsula Marathon and Half Marathon (19 Feb.) on-line, postal and in-store are open. www.topevents.co.za On-line entries close 10 Feb. postal and in-store close on 12 Feb. In-store entry is at any Sportsmans Warehouse. No entries on the day! NB! This could be your last chance to qualify for the Oceans Ultra.
• The Weskus Marathon and Half Marathon takes place on 17 March in Langebaan. Will it be another hot affair??
Online entries are open (www.entrytime.com) hard copies are also available. Please note that the marathon is limited to 1200 and entries for both runs close on 8 March.
• Comrades entrants please note that you must advise the Comrades office of your 2012 licence number by 4 May. This date is also the cut-off date to qualify (5 hour marathon). To those who still need to qualify there are: the Peninsula 42km (19 Feb) and the Weskus 42km (17 March) and the Cango Caves 42km (25 Feb) enter online www.kangomarathon.co.za

This is the week:
• Monday to Friday at 05h15 group runs starting at the BP garage. Each day has a different distance. There are two groups, one for the slower runners and one for the faster runners. Please don’t park in front of the Café, but in the car park next to the cricket field.
• Mondays at 18h00 – group run around Pinelands of about 10km – the idea is to run together in a group. Meet at the BP garage. Please don’t park in front of the Café.
• Also on Mondays at 18h00 (as a build up to Oceans) fartlek or interval running on the grass at the clubhouse.
• Tuesdays at 18h00 - Hill Repeats. Meet at the BP garage at 18h00 – slow jog to Mowbray for 20mins of hill repeats and slow jog back. Please don’t park in front of the Café.
• Wednesdays at 18h00 – group run out of Pinelands up to UCT via Mostert’s Mill. Meet at the BP garage. Please don’t park in front of the Café.
• Thursdays at 18h00 – 2.5km and 5 km time trials at the club. The youngsters can run around the fields which is about 2km and therefore don’t have to run on the roads.

Please note that the Stragglers 10km (Wednesday 8 Feb) has been postponed until 14 March.

Thursday 9 February – Club-Nite
After time trail there will be the monthly lucky draws for the time trial cycle and athlete of the month award.

Saturday 11 February – Top Form 10km and walk – Athlone
Starts at 07h00 at the Turfhall Softball Park ( off Jan Smuts Ave. Athlone)
Please note that this is a “Dave Spence Club Incentive Run”

Saturday 11 February – Freedom 27km + 10km – Paarl
Starting at 07h00 from the Drakenstein Prison, Paarl.

Sunday 12 February – 20km Club Run – Sea Point
Meet at the New Port Deli, Beach Road, Mouille Point at 06h30 – Easy run to Bakoven and back.

Please wear the correct club colours/kit when participating in official races.

Have a great week.