Members, this is your opportunity to vote for your favourite!
Click here to vote for your Runner's Runner of the Year.
A reminder of the nominations:
1. André Mariano
I nominate André Mariano for the 2019 ‘Runners Runner’ award for his determination and perseverance to complete the 21x21 Challenge even after he had a heart-attack earlier in the year. In my opinion, this is not an easy challenge to complete, so to complete it with such a medical condition is something to be proud of and to be admired.
Well done André!2. Linda van Rensburg
Here goes:
I would like to nominate Linda van Rensburg.
Not for a specific achievement or event, but for the fact that she always seems to be around when needed.
I often see her at the monthly braais, and she is always there for a chat or to give advice. I’ve seen her at many races, often herding in the last few, even though I’m sure she could have finished quicker if she wanted to.
It is easy to think she just “has to be there” because Quintus is so involved, but while I trained for a few months with Quintus for CTM, it was Linda that was also running and gave a nod or a “come on, you can do this” along the way.
And of course, yesterday at BAKgat she was there, helping out.
So, for the fact that she seems to simply always be there, I nominate her.
3. Melda Ruiters
I would hereby like to nominate Melda Ruiters for the 2019 Runner’s Runner of the year award.
Melda was diagnosed with a type of blood cancer in January 2016, she received chemotherapy and after receiving a bone marrow transplant, she went into remission after 8 months of battling cancer.
Before she was diagnosed, she was entered and training for the Two Oceans Ultra Marathon in 2016.
Melda started walking/running again at the beginning of 2017 and managed to complete her first half marathon (two oceans half) after her transplant which was 7 months earlier. Since then she decided that her aim was only to complete in race distances up to half marathon, but she decided that she would like to attempt the Cape Town Marathon this year, which she successfully completed. Melda is always humble on the road, always greets and she is always smiling and encouraging her fellow runners.
I wish I had her determination to keep going like she does, for me she is truly an inspiration, for standing up after all that she went through and to be able to run a marathon is remarkable.
Well done Melda!
4. Michael Gordon Rodwell (2 nominations)
(1st nomination):
I hereby nominate Michael Gordon Rodwell for the 2019 Runner’s Runner of the year award.
The criteria for this award, as specified in the chairman’s newsletter, are as follows:
· This is an award that will go to someone in the club that you feel deserves special recognition.
· This could be for someone that has had an outstanding running achievement or year, or someone that has made a huge contribution to the club.
· It could also be someone that has inspired you in some way or someone that has conquered the odds.
When Michael is evaluated against the above criteria, I can honestly say that he ticks all the boxes and more. Please allow me to elaborate.
I met Michael in April 2018 when I joined Quintus’ beginner’s programme and I knew there and then that this was a warm-hearted person and someone who I could consider a friend. How did I come to that conclusion? Because of the way Michael smiled when he met me. The following quote comes to mind: “If you want to make a good first impression, smile at people. What does it cost to smile? Nothing. What does it cost not to smile? Everything, if not smiling prevents you from enchanting people.” Guy Kawasaki
Everyone who knows Michael will know what I’m referring to when I say he warms up any situation with that smile of his. He treats everyone with respect and always tries to lighten a situation with a funny story and laughter. I don’t think Michael realises that in his special way, he contributes to the success of the club because when he is around, he is creates a lovely ‘vibe’ and people feel free to socialise and just have fun together!
Michael has inspired me, and may others, just because of his ‘never give-up’ attitude. When I look back at where he was in 2018, to recently running a halfmarathon comfortably at under 2h30! He just keeps going and he ‘takes’ some of us with him. I think we’ll all agree that Michael conquers the odds each time he runs because while some athletes are built for running, Michael just puts one foot in front of the other, and with that bright smile of his, he goes for it!
In conclusion, I feel Michael deserves special recognition for his contribution to the club, and even though his contribution is not in a monetary form, it is much more valuable! It inspires other, ordinary members, and creates the belief that anyone can run, albeit at a different pace to others. Michael puts the fun into running and training sessions are not the same if the Rodwell’s are not there. I appreciate Michael and sincerely hope that other members will feel the same, and that he gets the recognition from the club that I feel he deserves.
(2nd nomination):
Not only is he an incredible runner that motivates other runners without saying a word as he, despite his disability, goes from strength to strength with his running, but he also always has time to motivate a fellow runner with a positive word or a joke! And ALWAYS smiling!!!
5. Sunelle van Zyl-Briers
She quietly does so much for the club, assists at entries at races and then does extra afterwards, does bar duties, assists with membership registrations every year, promotes the club in many ways and is always a happy and cheerful presence at the races.
6. Theo Steenkamp
I'm fairly new to the club so don't know a lot of my fellow club members.
The person I nominate is Theo Steenkamp. He is always friendly and greets when we pass one another at the races. His running for charities is also something I admire very much.