Oceans sees records in both races

The fourth running of the Ocean 10 road race took place along the beachfront in Gonubie on Sunday.

The event was, for the second year running, split into two races, with the men running first and the women starting an hour later.

The Oceans 10 is recognised as the only World Athletics certified course in the city and is the only race not to have missed an event throughout the Covid-19 lockdowns.

This year, the race boasted an incredible list of sponsorships and logistical support, including Easy Equities, SA Home Loans, SUPERSPAR Gonubie, PURA, Gonubie Scouts, Current Consulting, DJ Steve O, Boast Running Success and Richard Pattern.

The prizes, worth more than R22,000, included the options to win three superior quality beds and a recliner from Brands valued at R2,500.

The race was awarded Border Championship status for the first time and was used by Border Athletics to select their team for the SA Half Championships to be held in Nelson Mandela Bay in June later this year.

Yanga Malusi continued his winning streak by coming first in a time of 28 mins and 58 sec.

Malusi has been a consistent runner and has finished in the top two every year .

In second and third, respectively, were Vuyolwethu Madikiza and Menzeleleli Lithobe.

The top three in the women’s race were all from the Easy Equities Born2Run team.

Hanlie Botha, who won in 34:50, recently set a new women’s race record at the VQS Diesel Depot 15km race. Caryn Lategan came in second and Lauren Ranger third.

Race organiser John Lee Sun said the race was a success, despite a few minor challenges.

“The race was run in ideal conditions, with course records set in the men’s and women’s races. Many runners recorded personal bests.

“A major disappointment was the extremely late arrival of the Traffic Department, which compromised the safety of participants,” he said.