Chris Bateman

Cape Town, Durbanville

56, married, 2 daughters (2008 and 2006), news ed, SA MedJourn. 34 yr newspaper career, fluent in Zulu. Angler. Lapsed Catholic + hang-glider. MKP, M2Life, BioD

Articles

Sonora High stars capture top Old Mill Run honors; full race results

2 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Chris Bateman

Sonora High School showed up in spades at Saturday’s Old Mill Run. Wildcat track star Broen Holman, 19, not only won the 44th Old Mill, but broke his own course record (32:41, 2023) by nearly a minute with a blistering 31:47. Not only that, but his Sonora High teammate, freshman Landon Wilson, 13, was runner-up with a time of 35:08. And Wildcat Demiree Dean, 16, won the women’s division in 44:05.
44th Old Mill Run set for Saturday in Columbia: Might records fall?

6 days ago | uniondemocrat.com | Chris Bateman

The final countdown has begun. The 44th Old Mill Run is less than a day away: Perfect running weather, a turnout of better than 100 and a wide array of races and festivities are all on the Columbia State Park race’s agenda. Starting gun for the signature 10K race will sound at 9 a.m. Saturday on Main Street, right in front of Nelson’s Candy Kitchen. Clear skies and runner-perfect temperatures in the low- to mid-60s are expected. “Why participate in the Old Mill?” asks Race Director Dave Urquhart.
Runner Ken Danz: Arguably the Old Mill’s best ever

1 week ago | uniondemocrat.com | Chris Bateman

If there were such a thing as an Old Mill Run Hall of Fame, Ken Danz would likely be its very first inductee. Not only has the former Sonora High and college track star run in most of the of the more than 40 Old Mills since the 10K race’s 1978 premiere, but he has collected more hardware than any runner in the race’s long history.
BATEMAN: Amtrak Primer, Pt. 2 - Enjoying the journey

1 week ago | uniondemocrat.com | Chris Bateman

More Coverage• BATEMAN: Amtrak Primer, Pt. 1 — A guide to the line’s best trains, how to book passageOK, would-be rail fans, we got you Amtrak tickets in Part 1 and briefed you on a few of my favorite trains. Now come a few tips on getting on board, dining cars, sleeping cars, enjoying the scenery (full moons and all) — and avoiding being left behind: How long does it take to clear Amtrak security? What security?
Why one expert is taking on Big Sugar

2 weeks ago | businesslive.co.za | Chris Bateman

PROFILE Prof Karen Hofman, one of this year’s two recipients of the top South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC) award, says that if she could wave a magic wand, she would eradicate harmful food and drink advertising aimed at children. Hofman, a political and lifestyle activist, also describes herself as “a health researcher who cares about policy impact and policy change”. She says commercial influences on health are driving South Africa’s noncommunicable diseases to epidemic levels...
BATEMAN: Major league ball in a minor league field

2 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Chris Bateman

No, they are not the Sacramento A’s, but that’s where the team is now playing. And, because the Athletics’ debut series in California’s capital was against my beloved Chicago Cubs, I made the pilgrimage to Sutter Health Park for last Wednesday’s day-game finale with two old friends. I loved it. And not just because the Cubs manhandled the former-Oakland and future-Las Vegas A’s 10-2 – thus completing a not-even-close sweep of the onetime American League powerhouse.
Amtrak primer, Pt. 1: A guide to the line’s best trains and how to book passage

2 weeks ago | uniondemocrat.com | Chris Bateman

Regular readers know this: I am a big fan of Amtrak. I’ve ridden the rails since I was a little kid and I’m still riding them today — even though trains take days to cover distances that airliners fly in hours. For me, the “experience” of flying — TSA screening, turbulence, cramped seats, minimal legroom and pretzels for lunch — does not add up. And now that I’m retired and have time on my hands, I’m opting for rail whenever I can. Traveling by train is scenic and restful.
High hopes for major TB vaccine study recently launched in Paarl

4 weeks ago | timeslive.co.za | Chris Bateman

Nosipho Matsoara, a data capturer, takes down details from two trial candidates at the Be Part Clinical Research Centre in Mbekweni, Paarl. The world desperately needs an effective TB vaccine to reduce the illness and death still being caused by the centuries-old bacterium. As we mark World TB Day, Spotlight visited a study site in Paarl where a promising experimental TB vaccine is now being tested as part of a large multi-country clinical trial.
South Africa: High Hopes for Major TB Vaccine Study Recently Launched in Paarl

4 weeks ago | allafrica.com | Chris Bateman

The world desperately needs an effective TB vaccine to reduce the illness and death still being caused by the centuries' old bacterium. As we mark World TB Day, Spotlight visited a study site in Paarl where a promising experimental TB vaccine is now being tested as part of a large multi-country clinical trial. The first dose of an experimental tuberculosis (TB) vaccine was administered on February 19 at a clinical trial site in Paarl.
Former Bret Harte High hoopster finds true calling: The unlikely running stardom of Tanner Gerhart

1 month ago | uniondemocrat.com | Chris Bateman

This story is about a local kid, a former Copperopolis and Sonora resident, who could win the Old Mill Run and could break the Columbia 10K’s long-standing men’s record. But, alas, 22-year-old Tanner Gerhart, now a star distance runner for the Stanislaus State track team, will not compete in this year’s race, set for April 19 in Columbia (see box at end of story). He is instead putting his college career first.