Karkloof – The opening day of the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival saw trail runners and adrenalin seeking enduro riders take on the typical Autumn KZN Midlands weather for a day of fun at the Karkloof Country Club on Saturday.
Runners had the opportunity to run either an 18km or 9km trail run along the ever-popular Karkloof trails and it was Zimbabwean runner Nomore Mandivengerei who took home the overall honours as he winds down his preparatiosn for the Comrades Marathon next weekend.
"The trails were incredible today and it was so much fun to run along the trails and roads in this area," the winner said with a smile.
"It makes running a lot more fun when conditions are like this. The roads were clean and firm which made the running more comfortable for me.
"I would like to thank the organisers for such a great event."
Mandivengerei will be one of the thousands making the trek from Durban to Pietermaritzburg in a week's time and he felt that this trail run was a great way to get his final preparation done for the Ultimate Human Race.
"The race helps me in my final strength preparation for Comrades and I hope that it will give me some extra speed so I can achieve my goal!" he added.
The ladies 18km event was won by the versatile Kim Westbrook who was all smiles when she came across the line, although in the back of her mind was the enduro that started only two-and-half hours later.
"I think I left my legs somewhere out there on the 18km!" she commented.
"It was a really good run though, I love coming out here and running.
"Running has definitely helped my riding and I don't feel uncomfortable at all on the bike even though I haven't ridden properly for a while.
"The trails were great and course was really well marked so I didn't manage to get lost which was a positive," she chuckled.
Westbrook did not have an eye on the top spot on the podium when she set off on Saturday morning, but the running bug has bitten her hard and it has become her number one focus.
"I just love the convenience of running. Putting on your shoes and getting out there makes it an easy sport to fall in love with.
"I also find with running that you can go to places you can't on a mountain bike," Westbrook explained.
The men's 18km podium was rounded out by Mdu Zondi and Mthobisi Mzolo while in the ladies 18km race Wendy Mills and Kirsty Allen finished second and third respectively.
The Sappi Karkloof 9km Trail Run was another exciting race with Xolani Mthalane and Nicole Faulha finishng first in the men's and women's races respectively. Completing the men's podium was Jean-Pierre Faulha and Dumisane Hlongwane with Hannah Armitage and Paige Mackenzie taking silver and bronze in the ladies 9km race.
The focus on Sunday is on the mountain biking with the Sappi Karkloof 60km Marathon starting at 7.30am, followed by the aQuellé 40km Half Marathon an hour later. The 9km Karkloof Trail sets off at 9.20am followed by the aQuellé 20km Family Ride and aQuellé 10km Kids Ride at 9.30am and 10am respectively.
More info can be found at www.karkloofmtb.co.za
SUMMARY OF RESULTS – SAPPI KARKLOOF CLASSIC TRAIL FESTIVAL (Day One)
Sappi Karkloof 18km Trail Run
Overall
1.Nomore Mandivengerei 1:15:02
2.Mdu Zondi 1:15:24
3.Mthobisi Mzolo 1:16:25
4.Lucky Madlala 1:19:36
5.Scott Wheeler 1:17:29
6.Elvis Mketo 1:33:57
7.Daniel Mcnamara 1:34:00
8.Nkosinomusa Mahlaba 1:35:37
9.Matthew Drew 1:36:01
10.Kim Westbrook 1:38:37
Women
1. Kim Westbrook 1:38:37
2.Wendy Mills 1:45:29
3.Kirsty Allen 1:46:35
4.Roxanne Vale 1:51:32
5.Debbie Cochrane 2:00:19
Sappi Karkloof 9km Trail Run
Overall
1.Xolani Mthalane 49:50
2.Jean-Pierre Faulha 50:12
3.Dumisani Hlongwane 50:21
4.Nicole Faulha 57:17
5.Hannah Armitage 1:02:28
6.Paige Mackenzie 1:10:38
7.Bradley Pope-Ellis 1:02:54
8.Hugo Engelbrecht 1:04:29
9.Edward West 1:07:02
10.Keegan Sansom 1:10:19
Women
1. Nicole Faulha 57:17
2.Hannah Armitage 1:02:28
3.Paige Mackenzie 1:10:38
4.Alison Guise-Brown 1:11:11
5.Megan Grewcock 1:12:07
EDITORS NOTES:
The STIHL Enduro happened on Saturday afternoon and results and copy will be included in Sunday’s race report.
Pictured: Trails runner were able to connect with nature during the trails runs on the opening day of the Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival on Saturday, 27 May. Photographer: Anthony Grote/ Gameplan Media.
News supplied.