Athletics

The Need for Speed

Track and field athletics is a collection of sports events that involve running, throwing, jumping and walking. Organised athletics are traced back to the Ancient Olympic Games from 776 BC, and most modern events are conducted by the member clubs of the International Association of Athletics Federations.

All time greats: Ottey and Coe

Submitted by Marcel on Sun, 2010-08-15 19:51

Most of us have heroes in any sport we enjoy.  Whether it’s a sport we do ourselves, or just a spectator sport.  Whenever I watch some sporting activity on TV, almost automatically I root for one of the teams or competitors, if it’s an individual sport, over the rest.  The reason for selecting a particular person is not always the same.  Perhaps it’s the person’s proficiency at his/her event, a previous sporting achievement, dominance of an event, attitude towards success, or maybe just because he or she is the underdog or the new kid on the block.

The Need for Speed!

Submitted by Marcel on Thu, 2010-06-17 15:28

One of my favourite runners of yesteryear is the Czech Emil Zatopek.  Known as a notoriously hard worker, at the 1952 Helsinki Olympics, Zatopek became the first and almost certainly the only man in Olympic history ever to win the three long-distance events, the 5000m, the 10 000m, and the marathon.  What is even more remarkable is that it was the first time he had raced the full marathon distance and did so only three days after winning the 10 000m final!  He won all three events within seven days, and set Olympic records in them all.  By the end of that year he held every world record from the 10 000m to the marathon, and in 1954 he added the 5000m world record as well.  All in all he set 18 world records during his career.

My racing heart!

Submitted by Marcel on Thu, 2010-06-17 15:16

The year was 1997, and it was the “Down Run”.  Only two runners were left in a field of over 14000 runners with less than ten kilometres to run. Taking turns to surge in a desperate bid for victory they emulated two boxers who were exchanging blows with only will power keeping them on their feet.  In the end there could be only one, and Nick Bester was the first to succumb to fatigue and could only watch as Charl Mattheus slowly but surely pulled away for his first official victory of the world’s greatest ultra marathon, in a time of 5h28min.

Detox for runners?

Submitted by Marcel on Fri, 2010-05-14 17:34

In one of the FFA newsletters earlier this year, a phrase was included that went along the lines of “don’t expect different results by doing the same things”.  I was training for my 7th Two Oceans with FFA coming into 2010, and decided that perhaps it was time to shake things up a bit. 

Running the Comrades? What can you expect?

Submitted by Marcel on Thu, 2010-05-06 22:12

With Comrades 2010 just around the corner, the excitement is building! Along with it comes a fair amount of uncertainty and concern.  To help you settle the nerves, its time for some final planning!

FFA - Cape Town

contact: 
Bev Baker

Location

Tokai, Cape Town, WC
South Africa

Fitness From Africa training sessions are held at the Chrysalis Academy, Porter Estate in Tokai, on Tuesday and Thursday afternoons at 17h15, as well as mornings at 5h45.
For more information contact Bev on 082 456 7340 or mail bev.baker@wol.co.za

FFA - Bryanston

contact: 
Lynda Stanton

Location

Tralee Road Bryanston High School
Bryanston, GT
South Africa

Fitness From Africa running sessions are run from Bryanston High School off the Tralee Road entrance at the back of the school. Sessions are at 5h30 on Tuesday and Thursday mornings. Runners of all abilities are welcome. These early morning sessions are ideal for the busy executive wanting to fit in a good quality training session before work.

FFA - Fourways

contact: 
Marcel Viljoen

Location

Kingfisher Dr. Fourways High School
Fourways, GT
South Africa

Running training groups are hosted at the school and caters for all abilities including sprinters, middle distance runners, triathletes, marathon and ultra marathon runners.  Sessions are on Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 17h15 until 18h30. 

FFA - Randburg

contact: 
Marcel Viljoen

Location

Bram Fischer St Stithians High School
Randburg, GT
South Africa

Fitness From Africa training venue is St Stithians College off Bram Fischer or Peter Place. Sessions on Mondays and Wednesdays at 17h15. Running training including flexibility, style and technique development, and interval training for young and old from short distance events to Comrades.
Contact Marcel on 082 6756399 or mail info@fitnessfromafrica.co.za