The SMS Direct 27km road race took place in Port Alfred on Saturday, organised by Kowie Striders. A total of 260 athletes finished the event.
The event started from the Big Pineapple in Bathurst, took athletes on a four km loop through Bathurst before heading back to Port Alfred along the gravel road, and finishing at the Port Alfred Country Club.
The SMS Direct 27km road race took place in Port Alfred on Saturday, organised by Kowie Striders. A total of 260 athletes finished the event.
The event started from the Big Pineapple in Bathurst, took athletes on a four km loop through Bathurst before heading back to Port Alfred along the gravel road, and finishing at the Port Alfred Country Club.
A number of athletes, representing the three Grahamstown clubs, took part in the event with some good perfomances.
Veteran runner, Basie Bonaparte, running in the green colours of Port Elizabeth based Nedbank Running Club was the veteran (40-49 age category) winner with his superb time of 1:34:01, also earning him fourth place overall and the first Grahamstown runner home.
The next local home and first junior was Revan Fills of Run/Walk For Life Athletics Club. He also made the top ten with his 8th position in a time of 1:43:14.
The women’s race winner was Terri-Lynn Penney (Run/Walk For Life) who was the only woman to break the 2 hour record with her time of 1:56:56, finishing over eight minutes ahead of the second woman, Grizelda Pietersen.
Christine Hart of Albany Road Runners was the 7th woman home and Eric Mapara of Rhodes University Athletics Club was second in the 60-69 age category.
The overall race winner was George Ntshiliza (Mr Price EP) in 1:29:15. Grahamstown born Mzwanele Maphekula (Nedbank), and now based in PE, came second in a time of 1:30:27.
Richard Alexander of Run/Walk For Life won the walking event in 3:10:49, over eight minutes ahead of second placed Billy Futter of Kowie Striders.
Grahamstown results: 4. Basie Bonaparte (Nedbank Running Club) 1:34:01, 8. Revan Fillis (Run/Walk For Life Athletics Club) 1:43:14, 12. Warrick Smith (Rhodes University Athletics Club) 1:46:09, 21.
Mlamli Klaas (Run/Walk For Life) 1:51:13, 32. Terri-Lynn Penney (Run/Walk For Life) 1:56:56
38.
Andrew Slaughter (Albany Road Runners) 1:59:02, 39. Eric Mangqingwana (Nedbank) 2:00:32, 60. Eric Mapara (Rhodes) 2:09:29, 73. Kevin Rafferty (Run/Walk For Life) 2:13:36, 84.
Quinton Muller (SANDF EP) 2:18:35, 95. Christine Hart (Albany) 2:22:32, 118. Jeannie Ellis (No club) 2:31:04, 119.
Steve Ellis (No club) 2:32:25, 133. Brian Bannatyne (Albany) 2:37:05, 135. Michelle Rafferty (no club) 2:38:11, 165. Robyn Steyn (Rhodes) 2:47:41, 167. Angus Paterson (No club) 2:48:05, 168. Tarryn Goble (Rhodes) 2:48:06, 169.
Jessica Goble (Rhodes) 2:48:07, 201. Dodie Springer (Albany) 3:05:42 Walkers: 231. Richard Alexander (Run/Walk For Life) 3:10:49, 236.
Carol Nepgen (Kowie Striders) 3:42:47, 237. Lynne Marshall (no club) 3:48:52, 240. Jean Nepgen (Kowie) 3:59:27, 241. Marion Penney (Run/Walk For Life) 4:04:00.
