The Colchester Development Run took place in icy weather conditions from Mackay Bridge Angling Club in Colchester on Saturday, 17 June.
This event, which is presented in partnership with Eastern Province Athletics and the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as part of the Legacy project, attracted a strong turnout of 467 runners, for the 10km and 5km distances.
The Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality are a proud to partner of the Colchester Development run since 2016.
Melikhaya Frans, 33, of Ikhamva athletic Club, led from the start with his fifth win of this event in 0.29.32.
“I’m really happy to have won this race for the fifth time, and kept the victory at home.
“We have had a hectic programme this past week preparing for the championships, I’m feeling ready, but it is still early.
“I’m excited to see my training partners at Ikhamva club achieve their goals and finish in the top ten as well, we work and train as a team with the best management from our coach Mike Mbambani, guiding us, added Frans, as always displaying great sportmanship.
The Colchester 10km was Melikhaya’s last race as part of his preparations for the World Marathon Championships which will be held in Budapest in August.
Race organizer and Ikhamva athletics club coach, Michael Mbambani, was extremely pleased with the results of the 10km.
“It was a great event, a superb turnout, excellent performances by males, females and age categories, with perfect race weather conditions at the end, with no wind.
The Ikhamva crew showed fine form and I am happy with their performance,” said Mbambani.
Yanga Malusi, running for Real Gijimas, finished second in 29.39, with Cwenga Nose, of Ikhamva club, in third position in 30.27, and team-mate, Sinethemba Jlingisi, in fifth in 30.48.
Andile Motwana, of Nedbank running club, finished fourth in 30.36.
An extra accolade for Ikhamva athletics club was Luyanda Tshangana, who celebrated his 40th birthday and won his 40+ age category in 32.01, and in-form Desmond Zibi, who won his 50-59 age category in 35.13.
Khaya Gqwetha, of Vukani club, won his 35-39 age category in 32.36. Ian Patterson, of Muirite Strider, won his 60-69 age category in 42.28. Hannes Els, of Madiba, won his 70-79 age category in 45.33. Brain Smith running for PEAAC, finished in the 80+ age category in 1.41.07. Oyama Ntantiso, of Nedbank running club, was the first junior male to finish in a time of 32.37.
Kayla Nell, of Charlo athletics club, won the women’s 10km in 0.38.09, followed by Lindie Steyn, of Midack athletics club, in second place, and also winning her 35-39 age category in 0.39.28, with Liza-Marie Kingston, running for Nedbank running club, finishing third and winning her 40-49 age category in 0.40.12.
Inspirational local runner, Ntombesintu Mfunzi, who is 30 weeks pregnant finished the race in 49.15 and achieved third position in her age category 40+.
“I enjoyed my race, and achieved my goal time of finishing in under 50 minutes, said Mfunzi, who plans to continue training with gentle 5km runs until the birth of her baby and is looking forward to her comeback already.
Suzette Victor, of Nedbank running club, won the 50-59 age category in 46.24, Janette Schierz-Cruisius, of Body Concept running club, won her 60-69 age category in 52.38. Jos Els won the 70-79 age category in 57.36 with Dorothy Hart, of Nedbank Running Club finishing the race in 80+ category in 1.36.16. Zintle Xhonti, of Motherwell athletics club, was first junior female to finish in 42.18.