AUGUST 2006 NEWSLETTER

May’s newsletter was the first to be distributed to the majority of members via email. Copies are also available at the time trials on Thursdays.  Some of our members are unable to attend time trials so that the email route is a good way of communicating with them.  Last year we commented that the period May-August was generally a quiet period for the Club.  This year we have had tremendous participation in the time trials as well as the Saturday morning long runs.   We have had a core of runners going through the winter without a break, and our Club Captain says “that it is the first time that I have ever run in winter!  I must be going mad!” 

We would like to welcome the following new members – Susie Matteus, Rita Pheiffer, Dion Tredoux, Klaas Williams and two juniors Janri Joubert and Estelle Human

Time trials 

The committee has been amazed at the attendance at time trials.  On 20 July (a fairly gloomy evening) we had 58 participants.  With most of winter behind us, we will be starting the time trials at 6pm on 7th  September.  Stanford time trials are also due to start again in September, and please contact Andries de Villiers (0829277794) in this regard.  We would encourage you go to Stanford one evening, and I am sure you will be delighted with the generous reception you get there.  

Road Races

Rickus Swanepoel was the only Whaler to enter and complete the Comrades this year.  With a time of 8hours 46minutes 46 seconds, Rickus also achieved his green number i.e. 10 marathons completed.  Sadly Rickus and Rosemary are leaving Hermanus after a year with us and we wish them everything of the best for the future.  They have made tremendous contribution to our Club especially with our junior runners.  Rickus also introduced the 1000km challenge to the Club, and we would encourage those of you who are participating to keep it going.  The Club would still like to see the results at the end of the year.

The Whale half marathon to be held on 23 September will be run in conjunction with Hermanus High School once again.  This means that the club will actively assist with the organisation on the day and we will need help from our members.  If you are able to help please contact Carina van der Merwe on 082 8238632  Your help on the day will not necessarily mean that you can’t run the race.  There are plenty of jobs to do before and after the race.

The next designated race will be ‘The Foot of Africa’ on  7 October.  All distances are catered for and we would like to encourage Whalers to participate.  We will also have our gazebo there and would like everyone to meet at the end of their run.

Runners and walkers are requested to forward weekend race results to HughWaters by Sunday evening. Email- hughruby@telkomsa.net or phone or SMS – 0843661048 is fine. 

Cross Country

With Rickus Swanepoel leaving, the juniors now need someone who can be of assistance.  Please contact Les Hanna if you wish to help or have any suggestions.

Track and Field

Leo Benning has approached the Committee with a view to acquiring some track and field equipment.  Whalers next track and field (T/F) meeting is scheduled for 17 March 2007.  If you think that you would like to tackle this, contact Leo who will put you on a training schedule.  Leo also has a schedule of T/F meetings and championship meetings.

Some other matters

• The Club is to acquire a Garmin Forerunner 101 GPS for the club which will be used on the long Saturday morning runs to keep a check on the distance run.  It will also be useful in determining distances of any new races.
• The controversy with regard to the changing of marathon distances to 20km and 40kms has been resolved.  Boland Athletics has advised that the status quo is to be maintained.
• The committee is still busy with the matter of track-suits and T shirts and you will be kept informed.
• We are also trying to get uniformity with regard to a logo for the club.
• Are you using the website? Check your weekly time trial results on it - www.whalersac.co.za  Suggestions to Carien Gooding.
• Gavin & Cynthia Turner return from climbing Mt Kilimanjaro and Mt Kenya on the 7^th
• If there are any other matters you wish to raise, chat to one of the committee members.  There will always be one or two at the time trial.

Social events

Social events are a means of getting to know your running companions, so it was with pleasure that when one of us suggested that we go to Rossis’s on the evening of the Comrades marathon, 26 of us took up the suggestion and had a very enjoyable evening.  This month the social is being combined with a 40km run from Caledon at 8am on 9^th August, finishing at the Cricket Club with a lunch-time braai.  It is also Hugh Waters 70^th birthday - he says that he has to do something memorable on his birthday! 

Personalities of the club – Arlene Ehrenberg

Arlene has been a member of Whalers  as a walker since shortly after its inception .  For her age Arlene is a very competitive walker with a best time of 74 mnutes over 10km.  She rarely misses a time trial, often being the only walker present.  She is an enthusiastic member of the Committee as the social/walking representative.  Arlene is also an active member of ‘Walker Bay Walkers’.

Arlene

• has made her home available over the last number of years for the AGM.

• is ably assisted by her husband Gert when it comes to arranging get-togethers

• has an up-to-date scrapbook of the club that is really something to see

• will attend every 10km race within striking distance of Hermanus

• likes to enter all the magazine competitions and has won many prizes

• dislikes ‘The Hermanus Times’ when they leave out the time trial and race results

Arlene contributes to the club in many other ways and her cheerfulness and willingness to help are much appreciated by her fellow committee members.

Whalers Committee

• Chairman                            - Les Hanna (3163820)

• Club Captain                      - Hugh Waters (3161464) 

• Membership Secretary        - Ruby Waters (3161464) 

• Running Kit                        - Anzel du Plessis (3140958)

• Social/walking rep              - Arlene Ehrenberg (3162037)

• Treasurer                            - Gavin Turner (3163348)

• Race Organiser                   - Carina van der Merwe (3163450)

• Track and Field                   - Leo Benning (3164960)

• Website and statistics          - Carien Gooding (3141504)