Many thanks to Dowan, Gary and Martin who accompanied me to a very lively AGM, and we were delighted when the outgoing committee was retained pretty much intact. The chairman’s and treasurer’s reports bore testimony to a superhuman effort this past year in bringing the club onto an even keel and laying the foundations for it to go from strength to strength. The new committee is:
Chairman – Reg Gerber
Vice Chairman – Rob Bellars
Treasurer – Warren Lester
Committee Members – Lynne Cox
Jason Labuschagne
Riccardo Simonetti
Errol Lorton
Herewith my sections report:
Yellowwood Park Club Annual General Meeting: 11 October 2012
Sections Report: Road Runners presented by Mike Sutton (Chairman)
Good evening Mr Chairman, committee, ladies and gentlemen. As always we appreciate the opportunity to present you with a synopsis of our activities and achievements over your past term of office.
I’d like to start by complimenting you all on the excellent job you’ve done this year. The vibrant social calendar, featuring lots of live music, and your efforts and success in getting sport back onto the fields are particularly commendable. My personal favourite in your annual golf day and we’re already looking forward to the next one.
2011 wound down with the club’s weekend away at the Sani Stagger and the usual silly season activities. Here the Walker’s Wobble remains a highlight for the guys, and would’ve been a quiet one if it wasn’t for the welcome reappearance of Matthew Lomax and his mate Dexter!
Fred’s Bearingman Stainbank Cup is naturally the highlight at this time and seemed to be an even greater success than in previous years. Naturally we can only maintain this level of excellence with the generous sponsorship of the Bearingman Group, kindly facilitated by Dave Bassett, and others, including Park Patrol.
We held our own AGM in February this year and welcomed the legendary Boysie Van Staden as our guest of honour. My awesome committee all thankfully stayed on, with one change where we were very happy to welcome Dowan Burton on board.
We also recognised our achievers, and the individual who stood out was Jenny Sutton, as Lady Runner of the Year and Best Marathon times amongst the women and the Vets 40 plus, which includes us guys! The flagship award, Most Outstanding Service, was once again won hands down by the dynamic duo of Heather and Megan, our events portfolio par excellence!
Comrades started with a bang with entries closing at a very promising 27, but due to various factors that was whittled down to 18 at the start, with 15 brave souls completing the gruelling 89km course. Young Jafta Thusi was once again our first man home in 7.39, and after a ding dong battle between our lady novices Megan and Sam, Sam eventually came home first in 10.49. The biggest disappointment on the day was Barry Varty having to withdraw just a few kms from the finish having simply run out of time. At 73 years young he remains our leading medallist on 28 and is an inspiration to us all.
Next on the calendar was our annual cross country league event, hosted in the Ezemvelo Kenneth Stainbank Nature Reserve, and our thanks to John Dives for ensuring the continued use of this marvellous venue. We once again received nothing but praise on the day.
Outstanding performances were once again the order of the day amongst our age group athletes:
Jenny Sutton won the Bluff Vets Half Marathon and picked up medals at our very own Stainbank Cup, the Scottburgh and South Coast half marathons, the Stella Royal 25 and Sparkport 32. In the other string to her bow she won another gold medal at the KZN triathlon champs.
Our other outstanding triathlete, Martin Birtwhistle, also excelled this year, winning the KZNTA duathlon champs and earning a silver medal at the KZN triathlon champs. In recognition of their achievements they were once again both awarded their KZN Triathlon colours.
Rob Edouard-Betsy also had regular trips to the podium and yours truly sneaked a win at Sani and a silver at the KZN Cross Country Champs, going on to represent the province at SA’s and earning a silver medal with the KZN team.
Barry Varty, still going strong at 73 also regularly wins his age group, most notably at the Sani Stagger marathon. Barry also completed his 37th Bergville ultra marathon this year.
Possibly the most exciting news recently was the sound of wedding bells, with both our events ladies beaus eventually popping the question in quick succession. Our heartiest congratulations go to Megan and Shane and Heather and Jason.
I’d like to once again pay homage to Willy for always going the extra mile for us. His brave victory over cancer has been remarkable, but nothing less than we expect from him. Nothing gets him down and we wish him well for the rest of his rehab.
I also extend our sincere thanks to all the staff, particularly Anderson and Eric who always look after us on Wednesdays and at our other functions. They are all always helpful, courteous and friendly, further proof of Willy’s management skills.
And what would Wednesdays be without a Raj curry?! Thanks to Raj and his crew for their sterling efforts.
You thought I’d forgotten, but I’m saving the best for last: who will ever forget our “Doing It For The Kids” campaign. The way our committee embraced the idea overwhelmed me, with Steve once again the driving force. Dowan’s golf day was one of the highlights and thanks to the extended Burton family for their support.
The way you guys came on board was heart-warming indeed, and our most humble thanks to Barry Freegard for his generosity and amazing efforts with the R2000 draw!
These efforts along with the generous sponsorship or the T-shirts by Merck Pharmaceuticals ensured that in excess of R53 000 was raised. The presentation of the cheques and the depth of gratitude and love from the families will stay with me forever.
Last year I mentioned that our motto of “Yellowwood Park Athletic Club - Making Running a Team Sport” goes further than that, and we’re also very much a family club too. Well after this year I think I can safely say that we’ve now bridged the divide and as far as I’m concerned Yellowwood Park Club, you guys, are now an integral part of our family too!
“Cheers” – Reg, your great committee’s next round is on the road runners.
Kind Regards
Mike
