LIZ RUICKBIE – VOTED SOUTH AFRICAN MASTERS FEMALE ATHLETE OF THE YEAR 2014
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