Zwartberg Runners training Hoërskool Zwartberg cross country team

- Terry Barnato -

The local Zwartberg Runners club is helping Hoërskool Zwartberg develop a cross country running team and held their first training session at the school on the afternoon of 23 July.

The running club’s Terry Barnato was delighted at the turnout of ten runners. “Some were very fit, others were sort of fit, and some had a way to go before they attacked the Comrades! But the first hurdle was to arrive and that, these young students did,” said Terry.

The runners did a few laps around the field and then Terry chatted to them about some of the goals that were well within their reach. According to Terry: “We have our eyes on a 5km Fun Challenge in Oudtshoorn in September, as well as the possibility of entering two teams for the Business Relay in October, also in Oudtshoorn. Definitely on the cards is the Meiringspoort 10km run which comes around in October and which students of 15 years and older can enter. We may even have an entrant for the Half Marathon through Meiringspoort if Marius Williams feels ready!”

The cross country team plans to meet every Monday and Wednesday afternoon and will also head out along the streets of Prince Albert. Terry noted: “Running is an easy sport, and yet gives so much in return and we hope that these young folk can make it their own! We have lots of water sachets left over from our own half marathon in May, and these will become our good friends as the weeks go by and the days heat up!”

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Two Zwartberg Runners’ members, Maruschka Erasmus and Juliana van der Westhuizen participated in the Knysna Forest Half Marathon on 12 July. Juliana finished in a time of 2:40:25, while Maruschka completed the race in a time of 2:46:01. Well done and thanks for representing the Zwartberg Runners.