Nyongo in narrow family run victory

IN a race to the tape, Ikamva athlete Amos Nyongo won the VW Family Run and Market Day 10km race on Saturday from Zolani Ngqaqa and Mariano Essau.

Ten seconds separated the top three runners in the race which was run on the VW test track for the first time.

In the women’s category, Cherise Sims, of Bestmed Madibaz, was an easy winner from Ndileka Mvakwendlu.

Junior Siphokazi Lilwana was a distant third, six minutes behind the winner.

In the junior men’s category, Lonwabo Williams led the Tinhara team to a top three finish.

Results:

Senior men: Amos Nyongo (Ikamva) 29:44, Zolani Ngqaqa (Tinarha) 29:48, Mariano Essau (Bestmed Madibaz) 29:54. Senior women: Cherise Sims (Bestmend Madibaz) 36:50, Ndileka Mvakwendlu (Tinarha) 37:07, Siphokazi Lilwana (Motherwell) 42:25. Junior men: Lonwabo Williams (Tinarha) 33:39, Sinethemba Merele (Tinhara) 32:58, Sivuyile Solani (Tinhara) 33:19. Junior women: Siphokazi Liwani (Motherwell) 42:25, Luzanne Bruyns (Temp) 55:22, Busisiwe Gwamanda (Temp) 57:13

SATURDAY’S weekly Hope Beach 5km parkrun had an international flavour with runners from Japan, Spain, England, Australia and the US among the 665 participants. Visitors from Johannesburg, Durban, Hogsback and Queenstown were also in the field.

Lebohang Senti was first over the line in 17:46 to record his 20th victory in 31 appearances.

Veteran athlete Margie Saunders won the women’s category in 21:06, her 19th win in 26 appearances.

Saunders, who finished 20th overall, recorded her best age grade score of 93.29%.

The run was also a milestone for Margie Longworth who completed her 100th race.

This week, there were 75 were first-timers and 131 who recorded new personal bests.