Huge field and fast pace expected for Masters

Another race, field predicted.

Chairman of the Border Masters Association, John Oatley, yesterday predicted a field of between 900 and 1 000 runners across the age groups catered for by masters athletics.

The race started 38 years ago. In the first running of the race back in 1981 it was two stalwarts of the sport who featured most prominently, namely Kenny Wilkinson of Buffs and Tony Viljoen of East London Athletic Club.

Viljoen was chairman of Border Masters from its inception until the most recent AGM, when he stepped down.

There has been a change to the another record route. Whereas runners were directed through the East London harbour, this will no longer be the case. The runners will be diverted from Settlers Way into Military Road, Dr Zahn Road and over the old Buffalo Bridge below the Steve Biko one.

Age groups of five years apart are such that many a runner sneaks into a new category without any fanfare and surprises those who were there before.

The 40 plus category is always viewed as "the" race of the day, and Xolisile Sinkintana of Real Gijimas has been the form man at races this year.

Likewise the top woman in the 40 plus race is Hanlie Botha of Easy Equities Born 2 Run, who is unlikely to be beaten.