Plett Athletics Club 2016 Prize Giving.

Plettenberg Bay Athletics Club wishes to extend its thanks to the Ski Boat Club Committee for making us so welcome this year and a big thankyou for hosting a superb end of year prize giving and braai.

TROPHIES:

1. Spirit of running award - James Stewart  - Trophy, The Goose Wine

Shares their love and passion for the sport, gets involved in the community and serves as a positive role model and source of inspiration and encouragement to others.

James (and the Penny Pinchers team) have been outstanding contributors to the field of trail running and adventure racing in the Bitou/Eden Area. James has an unrelenting spirit and passion for the outdoors and nature and it shows in the effort he has put in to putting Plettenberg Bay on the map with many of his trail races and for organising the famous inaugural Tsitsikamma 60km ultra trail run. Thank you and well done James!

1. Mega-Road Marathoner of the Year award - Vicki Meggersee – Trophy and Flowers

Has completed the most road marathon and half marathon and ultra-marathon races for the current year. 

Vicki has what one would call running tenacity! Vicki only started running 4 years ago and in the first year, she did her first 21km and her first marathon. In the second year, she completed her first comrades, going on to run 3 in three years. Some of her accomplishments this year are a 21km – Knysna Half marathon, 30 km – Tortoise Tuff, the Cape Peninsular 42km the, Outeniqua 42km and the Dublin 42km and lastly the comrades 90km.

Vicki has also been the Chairlady of the PAC running club for the last few years, and we would just like to say a HUGE thank you to her for all her efforts, together with the rest of the committee members, Janet, Lois and Lisa for putting in such an effort.

1. Mega-Trail and Road Racer of the Year award - Dave Barnes – On the Go trail mix and bicycling mag

Has completed many road and trail marathons, half marathons and ultra-marathon races for the current year. 

Dave also known as Dr Dave has come back to the running scene with a vengeance over the last few years. To mention a few races he has completed. A Knysna marathon club 24km, the challenging Addo 44km, the inaugural Tsitisikamma 58km, followed only 2 weeks later by Edenvale 43.5km to qualify for Comrades – the extra 1.4km of that race was to teach him a lesson for doing it so soon after the Tsitsikamma. He then followed shortly with his first Comrades run and did a sub 10 hour. Then onto the 40km Baviaans trail run and came 11^th, then he did the hardest 10km in the land, the Dassie and came 10th. To finish off his long running races before he went to the dark side and joined the spoke folk, he completed the DualX (Run, bike, run) at the Knysna Oyster Festival. We also thank him for always being so proactive in arranging many weekend trail runs and encouraging the newbies.

1. Perseverance award - Eric Nangu – USN winners energy hydration drink

Runner who has overcome challenges and/or achieved significant goals over the past year.

Eric Nangu has been an avid runner and part of the PAC for over 10 years. Come fair or foul weather, you will see Eric on the road. Eric has completed 5 Two Oceans and 6 Comrades, not to mention many other long distances races, always giving it his all. He has overcome many obstacles to get to each race – including hitchhiking through the night and sleeping in some dodgy spots! We are proud to sponsor him and make sure he gets to his events safe and sound. Well done Eric!

1. Most Improved Runner of the Year award - Sivuyile Qole – USN winners energy hydration drink

Runner who has shown the most improvement over the past year in race times.

Sivuyile is one of our newest runners and he is making waves in the 21km arena. His fastest 21km to date is 1hr:16 and recently did the tough PETRO SA in 1hr:21 coming 15^th overall, and has collected a few top 3 prizes in the last few months! Siyuvile also falls into our sponsorship programme and we wish him well with his future races and look forward to seeing him on the podium!

1. Most Consistent Runner of the Year award - Mike van Vuuren – The Original Champion toffees and MOOVER Rapid pain relief

A runner who has spent most of his life running (not from Jo!!. Wherever you look, he is there, at the start, ready to go, always smiling!

What can we say about Mike, better known to some as Schmeeks. Mike has been part of the club literally since inception and been a dedicated member and sat on the committee for a number of years. He has been a consistent road runner in his early days, completing 12 Comrades marathons, 10 of them in a row. Mike has always been into trail running long before it became a popular sport, but it was called cross country and bush whacking in the old days. Where there is a forest path, a mountain, a valley, a dale, an adventure there will be a Mike, always happy to offer great advice and support. Some of Mike’s achievements include 7 Addo's, 5 Mont-Aux-Sources Challenges (Drakensberg), 3 Baviaanskloof Trail runs,The Otter, Hout Bay Trail Challenge, Tsitsikamma Ultra, a couple of Outeniqua
Traverses, couple of adventure races, 2 Jonkershoek Challenge, Bastille Day challenge a couple of Houtkappers and the list does not end. Mike you are an inspiration to us all, well done!!

1. Junior Running Award - Matthew van Coller – USN Water bottle

Youngest runner showing great promise.

Matthew has been the most consistent junior racer, often attending time trials after a long day at school. He has shown such commitment and promise. Matt is very competitive and keeps beating his best times. He has also been on the podium at school for a number of sporting activities. We look forward to seeing Matt on the podium again soon. Well done Matt!

1. Epic Run award - Georgie Minopetros – Can of TTFN and Super man T-Shirt

Someone who enters a race that no normal person would enter.

Georgie, although Greek, is better known as Porra in some circles. Georgie has been part of the club for over 7 years and has always been a very active and committed club member and Committee member, running as Chairman for a few years. Georgie has completed 3 comrades marathons, 2 sub 9 hours and one sub 9 and a half hours, and a number of other ultra’s and marathons (too many to mention). He enjoys his trail running but is a lover of road running. This year he entered the Addo trail 100 miler on what one would recognise as VERY little training, but if you know Georgie like we do…his navy training stood him in good stead. He completed the Epic 100 miler in 30 hours! Well done Georgie!

CERTIFICATES:

Most Epic Event

Hanlie Sinclair & Meyer van Rooyen for Expedition Africa

Hanlie – Water wings and Bar one for 25 hour day

Meyer – Goats to Roam wine and Bar one for 25 hour day

Both Hanlie and Meyer entered the amazing Expedition Africa that was held here on our doorstop!

Their team was called 3 Dutchmen and a Lady – see their facebook page for their amazing adventure.

They came 1^st in their category, 38 over all out of 54 teams and took 110 hours over a number of days to complete this impressive adventure.

Meyer’s highlights were the sheer adventure, and the amazing support and he says they are looking for more support on the next one!

Hanlies highlights, she says she gained huge respect for the sea. She felt privileged to be outside enjoying Gods creation. Loved and appreciated all the support of friends and family.

Story Contributor of the year

Frequently shares fun stories and experiences with the club members.

Janet Woodhead & Claire Leviton.

Janet Woodhead – Notebook and pen

Claire Leviton – Notebook and pen

Both Janet and Claire have wicked senses of humour and we have all spent many hours over the year, chuckling at their running antics, both having articles published in magazines.

Janet has been both a wonderful Vice Chair and Secretary for the club and dedicated member and has sent out many club emails, not only keeping the club updated with all the goings on but amused as well.

Claire started an amazing blog called Road Shedding, which has appeared in a number of magazines and websites. Thank you for making us laugh when sometimes our muscles ache so much, we want to cry!

Most Horizontal Runners

Runner who has spent a lot of time kissing the dirt.

Janet Woodhead – First aid kit

Claire Leviton – First aid kit

Janet Woodhead & Claire Leviton

I think with falling, one has to have a great sense of humour and learn to laugh at oneself.

I believe no more needs to be said on this one, except we have had quite a few offers of guide dogs, crutches, moon boots, glasses and bags of cement.

Rookie Runners

Meagan Geyer, Claire Fleetwood, Jenny Wilcox & Greg Patrick – USN Water bottles

Runners who started running the current year and demonstrate progress, dedication, sportsmanship and perseverance.

This new bunch of runners have proven themselves to be committed club members and time trial runners and have brought a wonderful new vibe to our club. We have seen you all progress and grow in the short time you have been part of our club. It’s wonderful to have you on board.

Huge potential runner

Vuyani Ventvol - USN winners energy hydration drink

Vuyani is one of our newest members and is showing wonderful potential. We encourage him to keep up the hard work and hope to see him on the podium very soon. Vuyani is part of our Sponsorship programme and we look forward to seeing him go from strength to strength.

Most consistent and knowledgeable Comrades runner

Patrick Sassin – Crown for King of Comrades

Patrick was one of the original club members when it started around over 13 years ago.

Patrick is an ardent road runner and you will often see Patrick putting in miles on the tar on, a single loan, dedicated runner. Patrick has 17 Comrades Marathons under his belt. This is a MASSIVE achievement and has always been a committed club member and quietly supporting those who needed good running advice. Thank you Patrick for your dedication.

Site note to Patricks detail: The Plett Athletics club was started by Bertie Rohrbach and Andy Cox. Time trials started at Plett Primary school and then a few beers and pizzas followed (nothing has changed!).

Other original members were Mike van Vuuren, Andrew Else, Lee Rawlins, Chris de Villiers, Michelle Nagel, Wendell McCullum – Noel Stamper enjoyed some time with the original members when he was down – this is to name just a few. Please excuse us if we have missed anyone off!

Greatest Sponsorship Contribution

Kurlandbrik – Graham Black and his team – Graham Beck Champers

Lastly but not least, to our supporters through thick and thin – KURLANDBRIK.

Without the support and Sponsorship of Kurlandbrik, we would not have been able to hold these yearly races and the Kurlandbrik Robberg Xpress race would not have come into existence. Kurlandbrik are committed to assisting the community and we are eternally grateful to Graham and his wonderful team at Kurland for all their Support and we hope to continue this wonderful relationship and grow the club to its full potential.