Run/Walk For Life Award winners Staff Reporter Run/Walk For Life Grahamstown held its awards function at the PJ Olivier Fanie Venter Clubhouse, where its members received awards for performances during the past year.
Run/Walk For Life Award winners Staff Reporter Run/Walk For Life Grahamstown held its awards function at the PJ Olivier Fanie Venter Clubhouse, where its members received awards for performances during the past year.
In the Athletics Club, Frith van der Merwe was named Female Runner of the Year, while Patrick Mnto was named Male Runner of the Year. Richard Alexander was Walker of the Year, as well as the Most Improved Member of the Year.
Mnto also won the Fastest 4km Time Trial, Male (13 minutes 18 seconds) and the Fastest Half-marathon, male (1 hour 14 minutes 43 seconds – a time recorded at the EP champs). Van der Merwe also received the Performance of the Year Award for winning the womens section at the Afri-Save marathon as a veteran (40 to 49 age category) athlete, which saw her as a late inclusion in the 2010 EP Marathon team.
Van Der Merwe also received awards for Most Official Races for the Year, Fastest Marathon by a Female (3 hours 18 minutes 55 seconds) and Veteran Runner of the Year. Frith van der Merwe regaled the audience with her running memories, and encouraged Grahamstown athletes to join local clubs.
Co-manager of Run/Walk For Life Athletics Club Terri-Lynn Penney welcomed members and gave a club report. Manager Stephen Penney thanked those who had sponsored the club throughout the year, especially local businessman, Colin Meyer, who helped buy New Balance running shoes for four club members.
In the Run/Walk For Life programme section, Madyke Mokorosi was named the Most Dedicated Member, while Lily Chan-Henry was named the Most Enthusiastic Member.
John Galela was named the Master Runner of the Year. All the Run/Walk For Life Athletics Club awards winners:
Most Official Races for the Year – Frith van der Merwe (9). Most distance covered in races – Jene Banfield (279km) Fastest 4km Time Trial Male – Patrick Mnto (13:18). Fastest 4km Time Trial Female – Terri-Lynn Penney (15:54). Fastest half-marathon, male – Patrick Mnto 1:14:43 (SA Champs) Fastest half-marathon, female – Terri-Lynn Penney 1:28:44 (EP champs) Fastest marathon, male – Carriot Galela 2:43:24 (Buffs) Fastest marathon, female – Frith van der Merwe 3:18:55 (Afri Save marathon) Fastest combined Two Oceans and Comrades times – Kevin Rafferty (4:49:39 Two Oceans and 9:29:48 Comrades) – 14 hours 19 minutes 27 seconds. Veteran Runner of the Year – Frith van der Merwe Master Runner of the Year – John Galela Walker of the Year – Richard Alexander Performance of the Year Female – veteran Frith van der Merwe for winning the women's section at the Afri-Save marathon, which saw her as a late inclusion in the EP Marathon side. Performance of the Year, Male – Johan Conradie, who ran the Comrades Marathon barefoot. Most Improved Member of the Year – Richard Alexander (four personal bests and first marathon). Comrades Award – Jene Banfield for taking 40 minutes off her Comrades time at this year's event, earning a Bill Rowan in the process. Female Runner of the Year – Frith van der Merwe (three wins, including Herald 10km, Bruintjies Hoogte 25km and AfriSave 42km, as well as two seconds and one third. 10Km – 43.28, 15km – 1.03.50, 21km – 1.30.50, 25km – 1.50.50, 42km – 3.18.55). Also selected as part of the EP 21km and 42km teams in 2010. Male Runner of the Year – Patrick Mnto (two top 5 positions: 8Km – 27:27, 10km – 33:39, 21km – 1:14:43, 27km – 1:39:45). Run/Walk For Life Fitness and Weight Loss Programme Awards: Most distance by a female runner/walker: Madyke Mokorosi (489km) Most distance by a male runner: Paul Greenway (408km) Most distance by a female runner: Danika Marquis (154km) Most distance by a female walker: Adele van der Merwe (224) Most enthusiastic member: Lily Chan-Henry (at the age of 74 she is the oldest member on the Run/Walk For Life programme) Most weight lost – Craig Holman Most dedicated member – Madyke Mokorosi (Madyke has been a member of Run/Walk For Life since it started in Grahamstown in 2007. She has attended 309 sessions and covered a total distance of 1 682km).
Run/Walk For Life Grahamstown is running a special, whereby members joining the programme for 12 months receive a free pair of New Balance shoes. Phone Terri-Lynn for more details at 083 504 7940.
