Paddlers and runners do it in style
AFTER a week’s break owing to the Hippo Marathon, athletes once again hit the trails for the trail run part of the Autumn surf-ski and trail run series.
Taking gold in the men’s 10km run was Wandile Dube, finishing in a time of 46:48:00. Lindani Dube crossed the line in second (50:04:00), with Michael Mthethwa taking bronze (53:30:00).
The women’s 10km run saw Sarie Pretorius take the top spot in a time of 57:48:00, Glenda Badenhorst come in second (01:01:33) and Eunice Mbithi third (01:09:16).
Evan Jacobs came first in the junior male 5km (27:10:00), while Jene van Aswegen topped the time sheets in the junior girls’ 5km, finishing in 37:33:00.
Michyla du Plooy crossed the line second (38:43:00) and Luyanda Dube came in third (41:00:00).
On to the 5km trail run where Andre Nel took gold in the men’s race (16:19:00), with Jacqui Nel taking gold in the female 5km (40:19:00), Marika Joubert coming in second (40:33:00) and Janine Adams third (42:24:00).
There was also a good turnout for the surf-ski event, with both a long (12km) and short (5.5km) courses on offer.
Shadrack Mkhize out-paddled his competitors, finishing the long course in 58:43:00.
Close on his heels, however, was Dirk Barnard who crossed the line just six seconds later (58:49:00).
The doubles team of Jacques Labuschagne and Rassie Geldenhuys took third (59:50:00).
In the short course, the ladies’ doubles team of Stacey Pretorius and Melanie van Rooyen took gold, finishing in 39:26:00, while Adriaan and JF Louw took silver (40:00:00).
After winning the men’s 10km trail run, Wandile Dube grabbed his surfski and took bronze in the short course race (40:25:00).
The next instalment of the Autumn surf-ski and trail run series is set for Saturday, 23 April.
Anyone wanting to enter can do so on the day.
This event will be slightly different as the surf-ski race will be held in Mtunzini, while the trail run will still be held at the Zululand Kayak Club. Trail run registration is at 4.45am (run to start at 5.30am). Registration for the paddlers is 8am (race to start at 9am).