Fast times at Tangawizi bush event

IT was all systems go for athletes who tackled the 2021 Tangawizi Motors Bundu Bash Trail Run and MTB event hosted by the Zululand Multi Sport Club (ZMSC) and MSEM on Saturday.

Competitors in the 21km run, as well as the 20km and 40km mountain bike ride, started at Tangawizi Motors and crossed the finish line at the ZMSC in Richards Bay.

The 10km runners and walkers completed their route in Richards Bay from the ZMSC grounds.

The 21km off-road run and mountain bike trails were challenging, pushing competitors outside their comfort zones.

Many athletes commented on how they had missed competitive events, and praised the ZMSC and MSEM for giving purpose to their training regimes.

'We would really like to thank our sponsors for getting on board, especially Tangawizi for making this happen, as well as all the athletes for supporting the event,' said organiser Igna Freysen.

Despite a lack of athletics events throughout the year, runners and cyclists managed to clock some fast times.

Stefan Jacobs was the first man home in the 10km run in 40.51, with Nkosinathi Zungu taking the 21km run title in 1.21.14.

Cyclists clocked up good finish times, with Danie Kruger rewarded for his hard work, earning the 20km title in 59.07.

The 40km ride was decided with a sprint finish between the top three, who crossed the line just a split second apart. But it was Matthew Myburgh who had fuel in the tank at the end to claim the sprint win in 1.24.20, pipping Chris Maitland in second place who managed 1.24.22, followed by Alexandre Feret who crossed in 1.24.49 for third place.

Entries for this event were capped owing to the current Covid-19 regulations, with all protocols adhered to.

2021 Tangawizi Motors Bundu Bash Trail Run and MTB podium results

10km run

Men - 1 Stefan Jacobs 40.51, 2 Kyle Schnuir 42.02 and 3 Jaco le Roux 45.09.

Ladies - 1 Nomcebo Mthethwa 45.30, 2 Christa du Toit 51.00 and 3 Bongiwe Nkosi 52.25.

21km run

Men - 1 Nkosinathi Zungu 1.21.14, 2 Linda Magwaza 1.34.47 and 3 Craig Brown 1.39.32. Ladies - 1 Trish Hodgson 1.56.50, 2 Kate Brading 1.58.24 and 3 Teegan Mattioda 2.03.57.

20km MTB

Men - 1 Danie Kruger 59.07, 2 Juan Engelbrecht 1.04.18 and 3 Bart Groenewald 1.06.45. Ladies - 1 Christie Pieterse

1.17.49, 2 Judy Becker 1.18.09 and 3 Mitch Wallis 1.18.20.

40km MTB

Men - 1 Matthew Myburgh

1.24.20, 2 Chris Maitland 1.24.22 and 3 Alexandre Feret 1.24.49.

Ladies - 1 Sandra

Mansvelder 1.32.29,

2 Candice Farland

1.32.58 and 3

Anel Witthoft

1.55.45.

Teegan Mattioda managed a third place finish in the ladies’ 21km run in a time of 2.03.57

ZMSC runner Craig Brown placed third overall in the 21km run with his time of 1.39.32

Sipho Zungu warming up ahead of the 21km run which he completed in 1.42.26

Allan Fabian took on the 40km mountain bike route and conquered it in 1.32.37

ZMSC runners Paige Lotter and Tania de Klerk took on the 21km run

Andre and Jacqui Nel were excited to tackle the 20km mountain bike route

21km runners pushing hard at the start on Saturday morning