The fit take on the Zini Bush Challenge

THE Zini Bush Challenge organisers must be pleased with their race as the numbers grow and praise pours in by satisfied participants.

This year’s race, held on Sunday, saw 372 athletes finish the 16km event of whom 357 were runners and 25 walkers.

In the shorter distance, 110 runners and 57 walkers finished the 10km race.

Managing an event of this magnitude by, what are essentially runners themselves, is a feather in the Mtunzini Athletics Club’s cap.

The beach, the forests and the whole experience, which makes up the Zini Challenge is testimony to the great race, which is growing every year.

The section through the Zini River Estate added even more to the event, which had participants experiencing what the town has to offer.

Coordinator, Paul Mannix was full of praise for the race’s loyal supporters, especially Seacom who have now been the main sponsor for six years.

He also thanked his committee who ensured that everything ran like clockwork.

With plenty of lucky draw prizes at the finish for those who attended the prize giving, few went home empty handed, even if they were not among the official place winners.

Results

10km Men

Run

Overall – 1 Thulani Mdletshe (00:37:55); 2 Thabani Shoyisa; Calvin Ntshangase

Walk

Overall – 1 Bradley Sander (01:05:38); Alan Lewis; 3 Mervyn Smith

10km Women

Run

Overall – 1 Nomcebo Mthethwa (00:42:57); 2 Bongiwe Nkosi; 3 Julie Mitchell

Walk

Overall – 1 Gabi Schonert (01:24:58); 2 Isabelle Sander; 3 Catherine Sandalls

16km Run

Men

Overall – 1 Bongani Mdletshe (01:00:07); 2 Siphiwe Ndlela; 3 Innocent Nyawese

Junior – 1 Bryan Roestof (01:37:11)

Sub-vet – 1 Innocent Nyawese (01:00:58)

Vet – 1 July Ndlovu (01:05:24)

Master – 1 Shadrack Mncwango (01:10:47)

Grand master – 1 Louis Fourie (01:24:56)

Women

Overall – 1 Melanie van Rooyen (01:16:57); 2 Desiree Verwey; 3 Amy Burger

Sub-vet – 1 Melanie van Rooyen (01:16:57)

Vet – 1 Lise Muchna (01:22:02)

Master – 1 Robyn Thompson (01:34:33)

Grand master – 1 Pam Rasmussen (01:48:24)

16km Walk

Men

Overall – 1 Lindo Ntombela (01:48:41); 2 Andile Ximba; 3 Barry Marshall

Master – 1 Alfie Muller (02:17:30)

Grand master – 1 Ronald Heathcote (02:16:05)

Women

Overall -1 Yvonne Irmscher (01:56:40); 2 Belinda Hope; 3 Irene Bohmer

Vet – 1 Belinda Hope (02:10:02)

Master – 1 Yvonne Irmscher (01:56:40)

Grand master – 1 Irene Bohmer (02:11:21)