Seacom Mtunzini Bush Challenge 2011
Category winners
Bush
Run Results
Bush
Walk
Results
Contact us
| THE
CLUB FINDS
A HOME |
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The
'clubhouse' was initially the Chairman’s
residence, but as membership increased, the
search for a ‘home’ began in earnest.
After pursuing a number of options the opportunity
of leasing two rooms at the Town Hall presented
itself, and without hesitation the Club signed
a contract for what has finally become the official
club- house of the Mtunzini Athletic
Club.
The rooms were in serious need of renovation,
and a generous grant from the Lotto Distribution
Fund has helped to transform the rooms into
a home that allows members to display their
memorabilia and to meet regularly for meetings
and unofficial get-togethers. |
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The
Mtunzini Athletic Club
was formed in 2005 by an enthusiastic
bunch of ‘village runners’
who wanted to unite a group of non-descript
athletes from various clubs and promote
the little town which meant so much to
them all.
Their running apparel in the vibrant colours
of apple green and navy blue, portraying
the logo of the Albizia adianthifolia
(Flat Crown Tree), soon became the envy
of surrounding clubs. |
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| A
NEW CLUB WITH GREAT EXPECTATIONS |
| Prior
to the registration of the Mtunzini Athletic
Club as an official club, Mtunzini runners
organised a 64km-long training run (8x8km laps around
the village) for Comrades hopefuls. All friends
and family were asked to support the runners by
joining in at any stage to either run, walk, or
cycle at least one of the eight laps with them.
This meant that the runners doing the full distance
would never be alone.
Using this format, they subsequently
registered this as an official race with KZN Athletics
and The Mannix Monster, sponsored by Mazda, was
born. Sadly though, after organising this race
successfully for three years, they have been forced
to cancel this event as an official race due to
the change of date of the Comrades
Marathon.
August 2008 saw the inaugural hosting of the 16km
Mtunzini Bush Run/Walk, sponsored by aQuellé.
This is a unique bush experience which incorporates
a mix of indigenous dune forest, beach and off-road.
The Mtunzini Athletic Club will
concentrate on developing this event into a major
Zululand race which they are sure will grow year-on-year.
Club Runs
Runners meet at the corner of Siyayi and Valley
Drive:
Weekdays Tuesdays-Thursdays: 05h00 for a distance
of 8-9kms.
Saturdays: 06h00 for a distance of 10km.
Sundays: 05h00 for a longer distance of 20+ kms,
depending on the time of year.
Time
Trials
Weekly 4 or 8 km time trails are held every Thursdays
at 17h30 starting from the Club House at the Town
Hall.
For further information contact Lorna Rautenbach
at 082 533 3231 or 035 340 1592.
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| Mountain
Bike
Affiliation |
An
exciting event in July 2008 was the affiliation
of a MTB section to the Mtunzini Athletic
Club. Mtunzini cyclists are fortunate in
having kilometres of gravel road and track on their
doorstep. The village has seen eleven editions of
the popular Mtunzini
Classic which has formed the first event of
the Zululand Big 5 series for the last three years.
It was timeous therefore, with mountain biking firmly,
but informally, established in the village, that
the cyclists were given a formal home, with the
attractive prospect of an Mtunzini identity at events.
• To apply
for annual SA Riders Licence |
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• Cyclists meet at the corner of Siyaya
and Valley Drive every Saturday morning at 06h00
for a distance of about 30kms. A slower cycle
is usually done on a Wednesday afternoon –
hosted by Robyn
Lombard.
Robyn is also willing to take beginners on a Thursday
afternoon if enough interest is shown.
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