Novelty categories boost annual Sunridge Village event

WITH novelty categories including Mom and Tot, Dad and Dog, and First Family Home, there was once again a good turnout for the 12th annual Sunridge Village 10km and 5km family run/walk.

“We fell short of our target of 2 500 participants but the attendance proved once again that the race is one of the most sought after events in the metro,” Sunridge Village Shopping Centre manager Suzanne Fincham said.

Motherwell AC runner Amos Nyongo was the overall winner of the 10km race, comfortably beating Mariano Eesou (Madibaz) into second place.

His finishing time was 30:29.

Luthando Nxanisa, from Ikhamva AC, was an easy winner of the women’s category in 41:26, beating Siphokazi Nojoko (Motherwell) by more than two minutes.

Meanwhile, 76-year-old grandmaster Tasanqa Jusayi continues to astound runners young enough to be his grandchildren.

The Nedbank athlete finished in 46:32, just three minutes behind 16year-old Lara de Bloe, who was the first junior female.

Kabega Park Primary school won a R1 000 shopping voucher for the school with the most bulk entries in the 5km race. Senior men: Amos Nyongo (Motherwell) 30:29, Mariano Eesou (Madibaz) 30:48, Adrian Gerwel (Ikhamva) 31:07. Senior women: Luthando Nxanisa (Ikhamva) 41:26, Siphokazi Nojoko (Motherwell) 43:46, Asanda Zamisa (Achilles) 43:22. Junior Men: Anele Voorman (Nedbank): 39:00, Dylan Miggels (Nedbank), 41:38, Siphosethu Scout (SAPS EC) 42:56 Junior women: Lara de Bloe (EPA Schools) 43:43, Pavana Pillay (Charlo) 1:09:41, Thuraya Pillay (Charlo) 1:15:13.

THERE was a poor turnout in the parkruns across the metro on Saturday, with fewer than a thousand participants in the four events.

The top male and female finishers in both the Hobie Beach and Sardinia Bay free 5km runs recorded personal best times. Although the runs are not official races all participants are timed to enable them to track their progress.

Parkrun top finishers: Hobie Beach: Men - Eduard Nel 19:31, women Noleen Ambraal 23:55. Sardinia Bay: Men - Brad Boonzaier 23:05, women - Prince Dzau 25:09. Lady Slipper: Men - Michael Shaw 30:23, women - Bridget van den Heever 35:11. Jeffreys Bay: Men - Simon Mashapa 20:39, women - Nelia Jacobs 23:39