It was another epic trail running day as a packed house lined up at the iconic Taal Monument for Race 3 of the Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™ 2014.
Race 3 would see the long course Championship runners tackle a 13.8km loop of the Paarl Mountain Reserve which includes a trip up some 400 steps and between two of the largest granite boulders in the world, second only to Ayers Rock.
Despite the tricky conditions under foot, the pace was relentless from the start and once again it was the incredible Bernard Rukadza who broke the finishers tape in an astonishingly quick time of 52:35 (an average of 03:48 minutes per km!). In the process Rukadza sealed his fifth Spur Cape Winter Trail Series™ in a row, a remarkable show of consistency, talent and mental strength.
Peter Tsawayo and Duwayne Philander traded places on the podium this week as Tsawayo stormed home in second place in 52:46 with Philander clocking 53:23 to take home a well-deserved third place overall and will make for an exciting Series Finale in Kleinmond!
In the Ladies Championship, it was three wins in a row for Liandi van der Westhuyzen as she continues to shine and lead the way for our aspiring junior female runners.
Van der Westhuyzen crossed under the arch in 01:06:54 sealing her Series victory, with Kelley Hess from the USA claiming second lady over the line with a time of 01:10:33 and Arlene Potgieter stepping on the podium this week after her fifth place finish in Race 2 with a time of 01:14:00.
Goeieman powers his way to another victory
16-year-old Dawood Goeieman has certainly found his rhythm as he collected his second victory on the bounce by cruising home in 31:27 for the 7.8km short course Challenge race with Andre Afrika hot on his heels, crossing under the arch in 31:36 for second place overall and first Open Male. Regular Trail Series™ podium placer Riaan Wildskut claimed the last spot on the overall podium by finishing in 32:12.
In the Ladies short course race Hanlie Jordaan, fresh off a third place finish in the long course of Race 2, claimed her first win of the Series by coming home in 39:17. Star Junior runner, Megan Leslie was second overall but first Junior Lady in a time of 40:23 with her sister, Caitlin Leslie taking third in a time of 40:53 ahead of Mia Doyle after a sprint finish.
The final race of the Series will take place on Saturday the 16th of August in Kleinmond and it promises to be a humdinger! There are categories still to be claimed and we look forward to seeing you there.
A big thanks to all the runners and of course to our sponsors, Spur Steak Ranches, adidas, BOS Ice Tea and Protea Hotels for their continued support. And special thanks must go to the Taal Monument and Paarl Mountain Reserve staff for their assistance and hospitality – such a privilege!
Follow us on Twitter @WildrunnerZA and like our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/trailseries for any updates on this and other Spur Trail Series™ races.
For full results click here and for more photos click here.
