VERY IMPORTANT NOTICE

Ann & Peter Mellor have sold Postnet Kloof and the new owners will take over at the end of January 2010.  It is therefore VERY IMPORTANT that you renew your subscriptions and licence fee for 2010 before 31st January.   Ann will NOT be available after that date.  As a temporary measure, from February onwards, please contact Lynn Burn :   Work (031) 777-1855   -   Home (031) 702-3191
Email: jburndbn @ global.co.za

PREFERABLY GET YOUR LICENCE BEFORE END DECEMBER 2009.

Please note that Lynn is not available during the day, unless you are prepared to drive to Botha’s Hill and suggest you phone or email to make arrangements. Races start on 10th January 2010.

SATURDAY MORNING TRAINING

Starts at 05h50 from 5th September – notices and stretches first and then the walks/runs leave at 6am sharp start with coffee and socializing afterwards at the Roses Coffee Shop.

AGM REPORT BACK:

Kathy Holland - Secretary
20 members and 2 guests (Mr and Mrs Joe Rogers) attended our recent AGM held on 31 October 2009. We are very pleased to welcome Ms Michelle Pilbeam onto the committee, and hope she will quickly 'get the hang of things'! Kathy Holland (Secretary), Heather Schutte (Time Trial Captain) and Lynn Burn in her role as Road Captain have given notice that they are only prepared to serve on the committee for another year. So we will need volunteers or nominations for these positions at the 2010 AGM. Please give some thought to offering assistance - we need a committee to manage the day-to-day business of the club.   Matters discussed under general were what kinds of events to hosts for Comrades and Dolphin 2010 and it was agreed to host a Comrades breakfast on the Sunday before comrades, and a big walk breakfast on the Saturday before the Dolphin. Highway sponsors breakfast for those athletes registered for these 2 events, and gives them a small gift. It was decided to scrap the respective 'aches and pains' parties, as they have been poorly supported in the past few years by both the athletes and other Highway members.

The Highway committee was also given the mandate to further investigate the format and venue for our annual Awards Dinner. Please keep Friday the 12th of March 2010 free for this. More details to follow ....  Kathy Holland - Club Secreatary.

CHAIRMAN’S REPORT

Dave Bennett - 2009
We had a successful prize giving which this year was again held at the Pinetown Girls High with Mpumze and Roshini taking the main awards. Once again Lynn had us all in hysterics with her special awards. For those that attended an enjoyable time was had by all. For next year we are thinking of moving to a more upmarket venue and will be asking for suggestions from the members.

Two oceans and comrades were well supported by Highway. Unfortunately Comrades was very hot and our success rate was not 100%. Of the 14 starters 8 finished. Linda and Learn were delighted to finish their first, Mpumzi earned a Bill Rowan while Bheki, Omega, Cliffy, Flo and Saxon also made it.

The Dolphin Coast was a scorcher and many entrants dropped out due to the heat. Well done to Kathy, Pauline and Margie who all completed the 50 km walk. Numerous others did the 21km and 10km distances.

On the track Len continues to do us proud winning Silver at SA Champs for the 20km and a bronze for the 5 km.

The ladies time trail still sees Highway in first place for the walkers and we are also holding our own in the running.

The club number about 100 and whereas many other clubs have seen numbers dwindling Highway just seems to steam along.

Lastly I would like to thank a few people -  Kathy, our ever able secretary who keeps me and the committee on the straight and narrow with her efficient way of running things: Heather, who keeps us ahead in the Ladies time trial and encouraged all the ladies to get involved: Postnet Annie who somehow manages to get kit distributed to all and sundry who seems to live at all ends of the earth and have all sorts of difficulties in meeting Annie: Sylvia who in the background somehow gets the magazine out in time in between family commitments and walks across countries and at the same time has become a prolific writer of short stories and Lynn who has had a tough year with injuries and operations but has somehow managed to get routes out on a Saturday as well as assisting new members.

Remember this is your club and you need to give feedback to your committee.
Dave Bennett 2009

HONORARY LIFE MEMBERSHIP

The committee has awarded Honorary Life Membership to Joe Rogers, in recognition of his achievements in World Master Events under the Highway banner.  Well done Joe!

MEMBERSHIP AND LICENSES - 2010

It is that time of the year again when Club subscriptions and ASA licences are due.

Highway Membership remains at the very reasonable R80.00 and R60.00 per year for the over 60's.  Social membership costs R80.00 (R60.00 if you are over 60).

We have been informed by KZN Athletics that 2010 licence fees will be:

• Seniors R80-00   :  Juniors R45-00
• Temp – up to 10km, Maximum cost to athletes R18-00: up to 32km, maximum cost to athletes R21-00

HIGHWAY GEAR

Highway tog bags are R145.00.  We also have log books, shoe pouches, Highway peaks, and Digi Walkers.  All these from Lynn Burn:  Work (031) 777-1855 - Home (031) 702-3191
Email: jburndbn @ global.co.za

QUARTERLY REULTS SHEETS

This is the last time that we will include Quarterly sheets with the newsletter.  In an effort to save the trees, if you require quarterly results sheet, we can email, fax or post one to you.   Contact either Dave Bennett or Lynn Burn.

2010 FIXTURES:

A 2010 draft fixtures list is available but please remember to check first as races are often postponed or cancelled. 

WELCOME to Michelle MacInnes who joined us recently.

Antoinette Gibbs had an op to her foot and was hopping about for a few weeks!

Morelle reporting from Toronto: On my recent visit to Toronto I noticed that cell phones are NEVER used while driving & if a pedestrian obeys the road signs it is absolutely safe to cross even the busiest street, no fear about the guys in the turning lane mowing you down!! It was also surprising & great to see that on public transport youngsters gave up their seats to elderly, folk with mobility difficulties & in fact to anyone needing assistance, also the bus & tram drivers lower the bottom  step of the vehicle to assist those in need. I spent a couple of days in Paris on my way to Toronto & was very surprised to find that it was SAFE to cross the street there! In spite of thousands of tourists the city was clean & I would love to go back!

Thank you from Len:
Thank you so much for your wishes. It was so special to hear from so many of my fellow athletes. The doctors were full of praise for the good condition of the remainder of my heart and for my recuperative powers due to the healthy exercise and diet regime I have got into and enjoy.  
The blockage in my heart was detected during a routine annual stress ECG and further investigation proved it to be calcification of a major artery in the heart. The cardiologist was very puzzled that my heart was performing so well despite this blockage and puts it down to the exercise I do. A great deal of my training is short fast stuff with the usual races thrown in. The heart had obviously found its own way of compensating.  Diet and exercise are so important to lifestyle and if only I had practiced this in my younger adult years, I have no doubt a by-pass would not have been necessary.

Congratulations to Melanie (Currin) who married to Evan Cullum on the 19 September.

WALK THE TALK:  From Sheila & Matilda

Matilda and I have not done walk the talk for years so this year we went to Johannesburg in July. Yes it was cold 2 degrees and we had layers of clothes on. Our race started at Emmarentia and we went around the Dam. Altogether there were fifty thousand participants with eight thousand people doing the 15km race.  We did the park-and-ride which was worth doing because of the number of people who had entered the race. I must say the race was enjoyable, safe, and most of all hassle free from start to finish. From Sheila & Matilda

ILEMBE (Dolphin) 50km walk.

We held a breakfast for the competitors and each were presented with a hand towel.
Five of our ladies took part in this marathon event, but the heat took its toll and 3 finished.

Antoinette had to call it a day at 42km and Helen Clarkson at 32km.

Finishers were:

Kathy Holland, Pauline Appleton (gained her permanent number) and Margie Fisher her first 50km walk.)  Two runners and one walker competed in the 10km, with Hollie Clarkson earning 2nd place overall.

In the 21km there were 8 runners and 4 walkers. Well done to all especially in that scorching heat, it was a pleasure to be in an air conditioned vehicle.

GOLDEN GATE:  Highway Golden Gate Weekend. 9 – 11 October 2009

Key Words: Eating, socializing, biking, walking, majestic scenery!

The day finally dawned, and off we set for Camp Glen Reenen at Golden Gate National Park. Highway members, Sheila, Monika, Matilda, Pam von Aulock and husband Kraft,   Kathy, Gillian Scott (social member) and Dee and Sean were joined by Claire and Brian Schwulst, and Dee’s biker friends Nicky, Peter, Geri and Mike (15 of us in total). Most of the group met up at Coyote outside Little Switzerland on the Friday for lunch before travelling the final hour to Golden Gate National Park. Having left Durban in rain we were delighted to have warm sunny weather all the way up. We had been expecting 60% rain and had all packed rain suits, warm clothes etc, but the promised rain never materialized….

Friday night saw us having a braai and Sean, Mike and Peter managed the braaing like seasoned braai-ers! … the social time together also gave us all the opportunity to get to know one another a  little better, catch-up on Claire’s trip to China (with Helen and Lil) and their new life in East London, Kraft’s school reunion for East London’s De La Salle College (which closed down in 1976), their time at Hogsback before travelling to Golden Gate and his bee-keeping undertaking back home in Westville. There was also much teasing of Gill who is a passionate ‘Harley-chick’ by the self-proclaimed ‘serious’ bikers! Also interesting was that we once again realized how small the world is. Most people knew somebody who knew somebody and there was much – ‘Do you remember?... Did you know?...” as Kraft went to School in East London and Brian and Claire are also ex-East Londoners and also currently living there. Gill also knows lots of people in the biking world and the bikers all shared happy chats about common friends and acquaintances.

The race we had all gone to Golden Gate for, started at 06h00 on the Saturday right outside our respective chalets, so we could sleep until the last minute and appear on the start line just in time to leave. We think there were about 100 entrants for the 10 and 21.1 km races. Off we set … Kathy and Gill walking the 21.1, where  there were 3 walker entrants in total. We walked really hard, only talked to the other walker briefly before he jiggled off into the distance and didn’t see much of what was to be seen as we were trying to breathe and walk and we were determined to get in before 3 hours! Gill also developed some really nasty blisters under her feet and around her heels from her inserts. At 15km she stopped on the road, whipped the inserts out but it was too late unfortunately as the damage had already been done. We are happy to report that we were however not last – 1 runner came in after us.  The race proved very tough, with the altitude taking its toll and the 1:4 gradient on the route at some points reducing us to stopping in our tracks to catch our breath. The tables were very well stocked (cream soda, coke, jelly-babies, good tasting water etc) by enthusiastic individuals and we were well marshalled. Our finishing time was 2h57 minutes. Pam, Dee, Monika, Sheila and Claire did the 10km. Pam did an excellent 83 minutes with the others coming in at around 105 minutes. They stopped, took photos, enjoyed the scenery, spoke to all and sundry and had a jolly good fun walk according to Dee. I think all this banter meant that they didn’t quite realize where they were walking, as the 10km entrants and the 21.1 km’ers did the same terrible 7 km loop up a mountain and down the other side.

Despite our valiant efforts during the race, most of the group then agreed to undertake a slow hike to echo ravine in the early afternoon (about 6 km I think there and back) and enjoyed the majestic scenery and spectacle of a ravine cut through sandstone over millions of years. A lazy afternoon with sleeping, socializing, watching rugby followed and we then enjoyed a good meal together at the Claren’s Trout and Golf Estate/Club. We also spent lots of time just watching the changing colours on the magnificent sandstone cliffs as the sun set behind us.

A sad farewell was bid Golden Gate on the Sunday morning with everyone making their way home again.  We did however meet up again for lunch at Thokozisa near Winterton.  Well worth the stop if you are ever in the area.

We all finally set off for home.

Dee did a really good job of planning arranging the weekend and is apparently affectionately known as the ‘Commander-in-Chief’. Her word is final and most of the gang were compliant and well behaved …….. So well done Dee!! You did yourself proud.

Other highlights were

• Matilda and Pam being inducted into the ‘biker-chick’ brigade. They both bravely donned a leather jacket and helmet (prompting helmet hair!) for a ride with Sean. Matilda, riding pillion, went into Clarence with Sean and the other bikers for breakfast on the Saturday morning!
• Seeing lots of baboons in Oliviers Hoek pass with babies clinging tightly to their mommies. Also seeing a number of new born calves and foals in fields along the roads travelled.
• A little Cape Robin that bravely came into one of the chalets to investigate the kitchen area for possible titbits! The little guy walked in, strutted around, explored and then flew out despite people bustling around.

Verulam 15km Challenge

Verulam 15km Challenge apparently had a very low turnout.   With Kings Park out of action, the outlying clubs are certainly noticing a drop in numbers.   (We have not heard whether Kings Park will be available next year, especially with the World Cup taking place.)

FAREWELL GLYNIS:

A group of Highway members got together for a farewell walk and breakfast at Oscars in Hillcrest to say goodbye to Glynis Kleinhans who is moving to England at the end of November.

Glynis was a long serving member of Highway, a walker turned runner and Comrades medal winner.  We will miss her good humour and infectious laughter and wish her well in her new life.

(There is no truth in the rumours that she is ‘Super Grumpy’ no matter what the t-shirt says!

CHINA'S IN CHINA...!

We saw all the Beijing sights... Summer Palace, old and steeped in history and the Birds Nest, a huge brand new structure! We stayed at 365 Inn just off Tiananmen Square.

Hiking the 10 + kms along the Jingshangling to Simatai Great Wall was awesome and quite tough, very steep ups and scary downs. Took us 4.30 hours, but we had lots of fun on that WALL..!  It was really something special to have been there, especially with my two pals Helen and Clare.! We ate scorpions on Wang fu gin St in Beijing...just tasted like crispy lamb fat.!

We took a 3 hr very fast  train to Taiyuan to see Gina (Helen's daughter) who lives there and is an English teacher.. We stayed there for a couple of days, eating street food and playing 10 pin bowling and of course a great late night out at KTV..Karaoke!

We left there and took a 10 hour crazy bus trip to Yinchuan, ( for the 2nd week) this is near Inner Mongolia, there we went to the World Centre for Rock Art Paintings, also walked along the Ming Dynasty part of the Great Wall, (Not restored) saw sacred Khan tombs, then into the desert where we were guests of a farmer and really enjoyed the meal provided.

We rode camels for miles and miles and found an oasis, drank the pure spring water! Such fun to climb a huge dune and sand surf all the way down...shew!

We took an overnight sleeper train, back to Beijing and shopped at Silk Street Market...spent the money there. We back packed so didn't buy too much, cos we had to carry it.! Watched the magnificent fireworks display in Tiananmen Square for the National Day 60th Anniversary Celebrations.

We did everything as" locals", and never ate Western food for the 2 weeks! Loved the food though, light and tasty!

The Chinese people were very friendly and always smiling and very helpful. We were lucky to have Gina with us, speaking Chinese, or we would never have had these experiences.

It was an inexpensive holiday, and we only just scratched the surface....definitely putting my R5 coins away for the next one !

Lil Parker

28th NOVEMBER:

Annual Christmas Breakfast.
We gather at Roses Coffee Shop after our morning walk, approx 8.00am for a social get together.  Members pay for their own meal, the club will provide Champagne and orange juice.  A great time to meet your fellow club members.   Make a note of the date and let Sylvia or I know if you will be there.

16TH DECEMBER:

KwaZulu Weavers and Candles Summer Holiday Race.
A 23km route from Bergville to Winterton for runners and walkers.  The cattle truck leaves Winterton at 5.00am and drives everyone to the start. It can be rather chilly so it is advisable to wear a chill cheater or have a seconder who can bring your jacket back to the finish.   It is a scenic route in this part of the world and a chance to get away from the humidity of the coast.  We used to have a group of Highway members competing, staying over at “The Purple House” in Winterton with accommodating hosts.  Judith Coullie, one of our new members is eager to participate, so if you have not done it or would like to try it again, please let us know.

2010 NATIONAL & INTERNATIONAL RACES

14 March	Cape Argus Pick n'Pay Cycle Tour, Cape Town, South Africa
21 March	Rome Marathon, Italy
03 April	Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town, South Africa
11 April	Paris Marathon, France
18 April	Vienna Marathon, Austria
19 April	Boston Marathon, USA
25 April	Virgin London Marathon, England
09 May	Prague Marathon, Czechoslovakia
15 May	Great Wall of China Marathon
23 May	Edinburgh Marathon, Scotland
30 May	Comrades Ultra Marathon, Pietermaritzburg/Durban
05 June	Stockholm Marathon, Sweden
20 June	Mauritius Marathon, Mauritius
June	Rio de Janeiro Marathon, Brazil
31 July	Australian Outback Marathon, Australia
19 September	Sydney Marathon, Australia
26 September	Berlin Marathon, Germany
October	Chicago Marathon, USA
October	Venice Marathon, Italy

The league got off to a good start at Westville AC this year with 18 Highway ladies competing. Thank you to all those ladies who consistently come to these events, and are once again contributing to the points which I know will make HIGHWAY the winning walking team again for the 12th year ! The criteria for awarding the prizes this year in the Time Trial category will change, but to qualify, you will still need to attend as many of the fixtures as possible and clock your best times!

A big welcome to our new walkers, Margaret Botes and Ronel Laidlaw-Perks, who have joined us and, together with Cecily, Antoinette and Liz Sneddon, HIGHWAY now has a strong “up front” team to score some great points for the Walkers League Trophy. GO FOR IT ladies. The rest of us will be chasing your heels ! After the Queensburgh TT, Highway Walkers were in the lead with 48 points, followed by QBH with 30 points. Highway had two ladies in the top 5 – Margaret (1st) and Cecily ( 3rd) - CONGRATULATIONS to you both.

Roshini continues to be our top runner and, thanks to Lil, Pauline, Gloria, Jeanette and new member, Linda Feher, we had six ladies in our running team at the Hillcrest TT. We hope you will continue to come along to compete ladies, as we need four runners to make up a team to score points in the Super League Trophy. After the QBH TT, Highway was in 5th position with 29 points but, after the good turnout at Hillcrest, this should improve our standing in this very competitive league.

We are really enjoying the snacks, kindly sponsored by KLOOF VILLAGE SUPERSPAR, and thank Belinda Barlow for all her assistance in organizing these. Please remember to start collect prizes now for the HIGHWAY Time Trial to be held on the 11 August 2009.

The next time trial will be held at PDAC on the 2nd July at 6.00 pm.

LETS ALL TRY AND BE THERE . . . and remember to wear your reflective bibs / belts as this is a dark route at this time of year.!

Other Time Trials held by different clubs at 6.00pm

On a tragic note, Frankie Cawdry, who is very involved in Ladies Time Trials, was hit by a car whilst working on the set up of a Comrades table area. She suffered serious injuries to her head and face and her upper body. She has had surgery and her condition is critical but stable. Chiltern Athletics Club is setting up a Trust Fund to assist with her medical expenses, to which Highway AC will be making a donation. I am also co-ordinating a collection of personal donations from the Time Trial ladies and any other club members who may feel that they, too, would like to make a personal contribution to the Fund. I will be at the club walks on Saturday mornings to collect any donations. A BIG THANK YOU to those members who have already, generously, responded to this special appeal.

Heather Schutte - 082 3981905

Sunday 7th June - The East Coast Radio Big Walk

This year will see the Walk move from a one-route event to four routes, including 5km, 10km, 15km and 20km, with the 20km route being a fully timed race. The 10km and 20km start at George Campbell High School at 07h15 and 08h00. The 5km and 15km start at Ushaka Marine World at 08h30 and 08h00.

Sunday 14th June - through the Kloof Nature Reserve

Ann Mellor will be guiding you through the Nature Reserve. Meet at the Scout Hall (off Buckingham Road, where we hold our AGM) at 7.00am and enjoy the fresh clean air.

Sunday 28th June - Beach Walk / Run

Meet on the front steps of the Sun Coast Casino at 7.00am. Walk to uShaka and back and meet for breakfast at the Wimpy. Those that wish to make it a longer walk can stride up to Blue Lagoon and back. Dave or Kathy will be there to start you off – if you only want breakfast, suggest you arrive around 8.30 am. Friends, family and visitors welcome on both days.

Saturday 10th October - Golden Gate

Our away organiser - Dee Coleman - has reserved chalets at the same resort they stayed last time. The chalets are very good, clean and spacious. Rate R262.00 per person per night. We will travel on Friday 9th October, race takes place on 10th and we will travel back on 11th. Accommodation will be on a first come first serve basis, with deposit to be paid to secure the booking. Contact dee.coleman@valve.co.za.