Wet and testing conditions greeted more than 800 runners who ignored their snooze button and warm beds to embrace a cold day and hit the trails at the second race of the Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™ 2014. You could have bet your mother-in-law on the outcome of the race as Bernard Rukadza powered his way to yet another win, this time at the Tygerberg Nature Reserve.
Despite the notorious climb to wake the legs up, the pace was quick and the pack was led up the hill by young Raydon Balie. Rukadza was running well and in the end proved too strong as he cantered home in first place in the 12.7km Long Course Championship race in a time of 55:06, with Duwayne Philander landing his second runner’s up position in a row as he crossed under the arch in 56:01. Peter Tsawayo completed an identical podium to Race 1 by claiming third over the line in a time of 56:11.
In the Ladies Championship race, it was 2 out of 2 for Liandi van der Westhuyzen as she proved too strong for the rest of the ladies field by cruising home in 01:10:09 to win by more than 4 minutes over second placed lady Matilda Randle. Randle going one better than last week’s third over the line in a time of 01:14:38, with Hanlie Jordaan taking home the last position on the podium with a time of 01:15:17.
Doyle Dominates
In the men’s 8km Short Course Challenge race, it was junior runner, Dawood Goeieman who improved on his third over the line from race one to top spot this week with an amazing performance, winning in a time of 37:43 over last and this week’s runner up, Andre Afrika. Afrika crossed the line in a time 38:17 with Llewellyn Jacobs completing the overall podium with a time of 38:22.
In the Ladies Challenge race it was once again 13 year old, Mia Doyle who blitzed her way to another first place finish with an incredible 49:31 in testing conditions. Can Doyle make it a hat trick this weekend in Paarl? She has the talent and the form! Coming home in second place but first veteran over the line was Ellie Courts who ran a superb race to finish in 50:36, with Tasmyn van Rensburg hot on her heels coming home in 50:56 to take home third over the line and first open lady.
Super Medic, Richard Dellbridge comes to the rescue again!
A special shout out must go to Richard Dellbridge who selflessly gives up his race to aid injured runners out on course when duty calls. For the second week in a row, Dellbridge of the Wild Runner Athletics Club came to the assistance of an injured runner and immediately helped in stabilising the said runner who was evacuated out on a stretcher with a dislocated elbow. We are grateful for your expertise and big heart Richard!
A big thanks to all the runners and of course to our sponsors, Spur Steak Ranches, adidas, BOS and Protea Hotels for their continued support. And special thanks must go to Penny Glanville and the Tygerberg Nature Reserve for their assistance and hospitality – such a privilege to jol in this beautiful part of the world!
For full results click here and for more photos click here.
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