Athletics South Africa – ENDURANCE TEST FOR ATHLETES AT SA COMBINED EVENTS AND RACE WALKING CHAMPIONSHIPS

This means that for the first time in athletics history, athletes that compete in combined events will have their own championships for all age groups. The Championships will be for senior, junior as well as youth and sub-youth athletes.  Events will include the senior, junior and youth women’s heptathlon while sub-youth girls will compete in the pentathlon.  Senior and junior men compete over 10 events while youth and sub-youth boys will test their endurance in the octathlon and pentathlon respectively.

Combined events are seen as the ultimate test of endurance as athletes compete in the competition over two days.  Willem Coertzen currently holds the South African record of 8244 points, after winning the National Championships in Port Elizabeth on 14 April 2012.  He also represented South Africa in this gruelling event at the Olympic Games in London where he finished ninth.

Submission of entries from provinces must reach Athletics South Africa by 13 March.  Athletes that were not selected by their respective provinces may enter as individual entries.  Athletes from neighbouring countries are also allowed to compete at the championships, but won’t be eligible for medals.