The annual Boxing Day fun run/walk/ cycle, organised by Port Alfred’s Kowie Striders, saw one of the biggest fields in many years.
The annual Boxing Day fun run/walk/ cycle, organised by Port Alfred’s Kowie Striders, saw one of the biggest fields in many years.
In total, there were 696 participants in the event which has become increasingly popular with holiday makers and locals. The event took place from the Port Alfred Country Club on Boxing Day, with the various events taking the same route as the previous year.
The route took participants along the Kowie towpath as well as crossing the new Kiddies Beach bridge, before making their way past the Royal Port Alfred Golf Club and back to the country club along some steep up and down hills.
Holiday makers from across the country who were in Port Alfred at the time took part in the various events consisting of a 5km and 8km run/walk as well as a 10km cycle event.
The holiday makers were no match for the Grahamstown athletes in the 8km event, as local athletes were the overall winners in the men’s and women’s events.
Melikhaya Jacobs (running for Port Elizabeth-based Nedbank Running Club) outclassed the 8km field as he went on to win the event in 27 minutes 38 seconds. Jacobs also won the event in 2008. The women’s event was won by Terri-Lynn Penney of Run/Walk For Life Athletics Club in a time of 33:31. Penney finished second the previous year.
Richard O’Donaghue won the 10km cycle while Jenny Ralph was the first female to cross the finish line. In the 5km event, the winner was Rowan Nichols, while Anche Horak was the first female. The first 400 finishers each received a drinking glass sponsored by Remax Kowie.
