From locals who’ve participated in international athletics championships to senior citizens and dog-walkers, Grahamstonians from all walks of life gathered at the Makana Brick 8km Nite Race starting line.
From locals who’ve participated in international athletics championships to senior citizens and dog-walkers, Grahamstonians from all walks of life gathered at the Makana Brick 8km Nite Race starting line.
The popular annual event organised by the Albany Road Runners club once again saw a field of over 600 participants on Wednesday.
And judging by the field, from the front runners to the back markers, the event really was for everyone.
Participants ranged from Grahamstown’s international duathlon and triathlon athletes, provincial athletes as well as a wheelchair participant, senior citizens and people taking the route their dogs.
The route took participants from the Albany Sports Club into Fitzroy Street and up towards Graeme College.
They then made their way into Park Road to the Kingswood circle, down along High Street, around Victoria Girls’ High School, towards St Andrew’s College and then back to the sports club.
Kenneth Peter was the overall winner in 29 minutes and nine seconds, while Natalie Ross was first woman to cross the finish line in 31:17.
At the end participants were each handed a medal and a big, juicy pineapple before the prize-giving function.
Laura Forster of the Albany Road Runners organising committee was pleased with how the event went.
“Everything went exceptionally smoothly thanks to the large number of volunteer marshals from local schools, the Green Fund Run organisers and our club members,” she said.
“And also thanks to the efforts of the traffic department.”
Top men finishers:
1. Kenneth Peters (no club) 29,09
2. Rooi Rikhotso (Run/Walk For Life) 29,24
3. Carriot Galela (Run/Walk For Life) 29,27
4. Malibongwe Mbelu (Run/Walk For Life) 29,49.
Top women finishers:
1. Natalie Ross (Rhodes University Athletics Club) 31,17
2. Terri-Lynn Penney (Run/Walk For Life) 34,34
3. Kirsty Hodgkiss (Rhodes) 34,47
4. Jene Banfield (Run/Walk For Life) 35,00
