Weathering a wet Knysna Waterfront Half-Marathon

With a gloomy weather forecast and dark rain clouds gathering overhead, more than 300 runners gathered at the starting point of the 2019 Waterfront Half-Marathon on Saturday 16 November.

The 333 runners gathered at the Waterfront's southern parking area and, true to the forecast, there was a squall shortly before the start of the race at 07:00, with the runners setting off in the downpour. Some of the participants would run 10km while others would cover the 21.1km half-marathon distance.

Five minutes after the main group went off, another group set off to cover 5km.

In the 10km race, Francois Maquassa was the first male home in a time of 31:23, followed by Selwyn Matthews (34:15) and Austin Koopman (37:20), while Cecilia Nel was the first female over the line in a time of 41:03, followed by Candice van Beulen (43:42) and Kirsty Weir (45:33). The halfmarathon race was narrowly won by Lloyd Bosman, who with a time of 01:08:35 finished one second ahead of Ettienne Plaatjies, and Gershwin Jacobs came third with a time of 01:14:08. The first woman to cross the line was Melissa van Rensburg (01:27:00), followed by Deanné Horn (01:30:09) and Teresa Bester (01:36:01).

The annual event is sponsored by Knysna Hollow and organised by the Knysna Marathon Club who expressed their gratitude towards the Waterfront management and stores that allow for the race to start and finish there.

The 10km route is an out-and-back from the south parking, along the lagoon-side brick walkway, then along George Rex Drive to the turning point just before the turnoff to Leisure Isle. The 21.1km route continues past this point, onto and around Leisure Isle, back onto George Rex Drive and then up past the Eastern Head viewpoint and all the way to the Pilot's Viewpoint. The return route heads down the Eastern Head, along George Rex Drive and then along the brick walkway and back to the start area at the Waterfront.

The runners gathered at the Waterfront’s southern parking area and, true to the forecast, there was a squall before the race

Lloyd Bosman and second-placed Ettienne Plaatjies were never far apart during the race.