Gonubie comes alive with road races
Next up are Bramble Berry 10km and 5km fun run on Saturday
For two weeks in November, Gonubie is the scene of road running, along with some offroad action.
The first weekend was hosted by Gonubie Harriers, a longestablished running club that, for numerous years, hosted the Insight Border 10km Championships, which produced scintillating racing at a time when the region was a leader when it came to innovation.
In later years the Gonubie Challenge, run over road, bush path and beach, captured the imagination of runners, especially those with social tendencies. The beach section is idyllic.
The results from this year’s race prove the point, and it is perhaps something to celebrate at this time of year.
The 10km race was won by a proverbial mile by Border’s top marathon runner, Malixole Kalideni, of Old Selbornians, though his time of 39:28 is an indication of the tougher nature of the route.
Unetsie Steenberg-botha of Easy Equities Born2run followed up on her good performance and fourth place in the Xerox 10km when she won the women’s race in 46:19 in Gonubie, where she lives and does most of her training.
The 20km event fell to newcomers to the podium Kurt Leibach of Oxford Striders and Angie Leach of Nedbank.
Their times were 90:45 and 1:52:47 respectively.
Almost 200 runners savoured the seaside atmosphere of Gonubie.
On Saturday, the Bramble Berry 10km and 5km fun run will start and finish at Kings Mall, outside the premises of sponsors Galaxy Bingo.
Organisers Old Mutual AC have indicated there will be no late entries for the 10km. Entries close at Beacon Bay Country Club and/or Galaxy Bingo on Friday.
However, the 5km, offers entries only at the start on the morning of the race.
The 10km course is exceptionally testing of runners’ ability to plot their race and finish strongly.
The first 4km are reminiscent of a mineshaft, from Kings Mall to Gonubie Hotel on the seafront.
Thereafter, the second 4km is championship-style running along Oceanway to the righthand turn at the end of this section, which introduces the build-up to Gullsway, which is as tough a 2km stretch as is to be found in Buffalo City.
Race splits should keep runners entertained throughout the weekend.
Handouts are prolific with race shirts, socks as well as refreshment bottles on offer — a boon for competitors.
For the front runners in the various categories, R16,000 worth of prizes is up for grabs.
The 10km race starts at 6.30am and the 5km just 15 minutes later.
Kalideni could well be favourite again, though Boxer’s Yanga Malusi and many other serious competitors are generally hungry for events that offer generous prizes.
The presence of Born2run’s Hanlie Botha will secure the women’s race.
With Comrades entries now open, many top runners will be thinking ahead and planning will be top of mind.
A 10km of this nature could well put the situation of fitness levels into perspective for all runners planning for a good 2023.