Masters Athletics

CENTRAL  GAUTENG                 MASTERS   ATHLETICS               NEWSFLASH NO. 5 Congratulations   -  our Walkers steal the limelight again !        Ranked Athlete Spotlight - Lesley van Buuren, RSA Masters Race Walking lured Lesley in 2004 when she joined a club so she could exercise with others.  Being exposed to the race walking technique for the first time encouraged Lesley to try the sport herself and she switched clubs in 2007 in order to be mentored and coached by the great Barbara Nell. 10 Gold and 3 Silver Medals in 3 WMA Championships plus many other accomplishments later, Lesley is now an inspiration to many herself (even if she inspires young athletes because they do not want to be beaten by an "old lady"). She also shares her enthusiasm and passion with other masters athletes and while developing young walkers. Lesley is a fixture in the World Masters Rankings but, much more importantly, she is a fixture in Masters Athletics - Thank you Lesley!

http://www.world-masters-athletics.org/files/records/20150822lyonrecords.pdf 43 WORLD MASTERS RECORDS SET AT LYON, FRANCE   CURRENT SOUTH AFRICAN MASTERS WORLD RECORD HOLDERS South Africa still boasts 4 current world record holders (3 living and 1 deceased) by names –  Ø   Titus Mamabola - Marathon M.50 (2:19,29) in 1991        (grandfather of Ludwig Mamabola) Ø   Stan Immelman 800m - M.55 - 2.03,7 (2001) Ø   Lucas Nel (90) 200m - 38,04 (2013) Ø   Phillip Rabinowitz (deceased)  (20km Roadwalk M.95 - 2:48:19 (1999) and  200m M.100 - 77.59s (2004),      Men Outdoor 800 m Age group Mark Name Country Age Meet Date Meet Location M 55 2:03.7 Stan Immelman RSA 55 01.12.01 Port Elizabeth, RSA                  Men Outdoor 200 m

Liz Ruickbie from Central Gauteng Masters Athletics was awarded the SAMA Female Masters Athlete of the Year 2014   for her performances on the track and road. Last year she broke the 21 year old national record in the 5000m (W65-69) twice in 2 weeks, first in time of 22.43,88 and then again on the first day of the S.A. Masters National Championships in a time of 22.43,0, followed by another record on the 2 nd day in the 10 000 in a time of 44:50.18 when she smashed the 10 year old record with 8 seconds. She was both surprised and thrilled to have received the award, but also sad that she was unable to participate on the track this year, due to an unfortunate setback which she suffered towards the end of 2014.  True to her fighting spirit she has recovered and hopes to be fit for her half marathon race at the World Championships in Lyon, France in August. Liz, who won the W.60 Marathon event at the World Masters Championships in Lahti, Finland in 2009 in a time of 3:3

STAR MASTERS ATHLETES OF YESTERYEAR, TODAY AND TOMORROW WILL SHOWCASE THEIR TALENTS IN PORT ELIZABETH THIS WEEKEND AT THE 39TH SOUTH AFRICAN MASTERS CHAMPIONSHIPS Several of these athletes were top senior athletes in their day, some of whom are still competing at senior level, and many others who have successfully moved into the masters ranks, breaking S.A. age group records and winning several medals at World Masters Championships as they advance through the age groups. The sprints and 400m for ladies will be spearheaded by Adri Schoeman (44), former Olympian,  and winner of 2 sprint titles at the last World Championships in Brazil (2013).  Yolande van Aswegen, Leone Marais and Jennifer Booysen in the 30-44 age groups will be a force to be reckoned with as some of them have their sights set on the World Championships in Lyon in August.  Winnie de Winnaar (45-49) silver medallist at the last

Masters athletes, Sunette Viljoen (32),  Chris Harmse (43), Adri Schoeman (44), Yolande van Aswegen (33), Tanya Treurnicht (31) and Marlize Coetzee (39) excelled in their respective events at the recent S.A. Championships in Stellenbosch. As expected Sunette and Chris won their javelin and hammerthrow events respectively.  Sunette is currently one of the top javelin throwers in the world, and has qualified to compete at the World Championships in China in August. Chris Harmse, S.A. record holder won his 20th open title with a heave of 71.98, and will be attempting to qualify for the World Championships in the remaining 2 track and field meetings - 9th May - S.A. Open and 15 & 16 May - S.A. Masters. Adri Schoeman (past Olympian), who entered as an individual entry for province, progressed to the semi-finals in the   100m with a time of 12,38 (into strong headwind). In the 200m heats she ran 24,25 which bettered her own S.A. Masters record (W40-44) of 24,46 and f

MASTERS ATHLETES IN SOUTH AFRICA MOVE INTO TOP GEAR FOR NATIONALS With only the national championships remaining, masters athletes in South Africa are moving into top gear over the next few weeks leading up to the S.A. Masters championships in May and then finally for those who will be participating in the World Masters Athletics Championships in August in Lyon, France. https://www.lyon2015.com/en Shaun Bownes (44) showed good form at the CGA masters championships when he won the 110m hurdles M40-44 comfortably in a time of 14.49.  Last year he won the World Masters Indoors title over 60m hurdles in Budapest.  At this stage its unknown if he will be participating in Lyon, as athletes have until 4 June to register. South African sprinters  have especially come to the fore at various masters provincial championships held over the past few months and the sparks could fly at the nationals.   The increased interest in masters athletics could also be due to the World Master

Award of HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP of Randburg Harriers: DEIRDRE LARKIN Deirdre Larkin has been a member of Randburg Harriers for just a few years, joining up in 2010 at the age of 78 years. This is not surprising, because this amazing athlete only began her running career in 2009! Deirdre's road-running accomplishments in a short career spanning just four years have been nothing short of remarkable. South Africa's most famous "galloping granny" was Mavis Hutchinson, but Deirdre is following in her footsteps – literally! These achievements have been making news in many places, and a picture of Deirdre in her Randburg Harriers running gear adorned the December 2012 cover of Modern Athlete. Deirdre's story is well documented, from the Modern Athlete article to a recent interview with Brad Brown on RunTalkSA, all the way to an obscure but beautifully-written article by Leo Benning in the Hermanus-based Whalers Athletic Club newsletter of August 2012. Leo