VW Fun Run set to attract strong field

WITH the Siza Vitality Port Alfred half-marathon the only official EPA road race on the day, and the R1 000 in prize money for the first male and female finishers, the Volkswagen Fun Run next Saturday, April 29, should attract a number of club runners.

The second and third finishers will receive R500 and R250 respectively. The first male and female juniors will pocket R250 each, and the school with the most entries will receive R500.

Now in its third year, the 5km run is organised by the VW communications department and employees of the company.

Melikhaya Frans, who is the hottest property in local road-running, won the race last year, finishing in 13:59. He was followed home by Zolani Ngqaqa (14:10) and Mariano Essou (14:20).

Ntombesintu Mfunzi, who is also in the limelight recently, won the women’s category last year in 17:09, with 14-year-old Amber Rayner (18:00) second and Ndileka Mvakwendlu (18:13) third.

The route will start at the PeoplePavilion, turn left into Algoa Road, past the Market Square Volkswagen dealership, into the Volkswagen manufacturing plant and then back along the same route to finish at the PeoplePavilion.

Entry costs R20 and entry forms are available at Brian Bands Sports in Port Elizabeth and Brockett Sports in Uitenhage until Wednesday.

Late entries will be accepted from 3pm to 7pm on the Friday and from 6am on race day.

The race gets away at 7am and the cut-off time is 8.30am.

As with the previous races, the proceeds from registration will be donated to the Lake Farm Centre for mentally challenged adults.

Volkswagen has been supporting the Lake Farm Centre for more than a decade.

The medals which finishers will receive on the day are made by the centre’s residents.

For more info, call Buyile Gqubule on (041) 994-5942 or 071-472-2950, Siphokazi Mangisa on (041) 922-5464, Freddy Jones on 082-498-3719, Christine Snyman on (041) 9944064 or Plaaitjie Damon on 074-889-8552.