This Sunday marked a new era of trail running. A day where avid runners pushed their bodies while enjoying the beauty of nature.
On Sunday, May 5, the Zama Trail Run Series officially kicked off at Horse Shoe Farm. Created by Newcastle Harriers, the Zama Trail Run Series is aimed at promoting trail running and more.
Under the theme of the Boer, the Brit & the Zulu, the event celebrates the rich history and diverse culture in the greater Newcastle area.
The series will take place over three dates, at three different areas. Each set in the picturesque mountains surrounding the town. Whether young or old, experienced or novice, all trail runners are invited to participate in the Zama Trail Run Series.
With the first leg of the Zama Trail Run Series taking place at Horse Shoe Farm, participants ran up the Normandien pass. A gravel route with a lot of twist and turns and beautiful scenery of the pass and neighbouring farms. While this is not a technical run as it is staged on a district road, the uphill is a challenge of note.
With participants eager to take on the challenge, the morning’s run proved to be a success with enthusiastic trail runners rising to the occasion.
The trail run was divided into two divisions, a 24km trail run and a 12km trail run. Allowing fitness enthusiasts, the opportunity to choose a division best suited for their fitness levels.
Also read: Zama Trail Run Series to boost running in Newcastle
The top four men in the 24km division are:
Siphesihle Masondo with a time of 1:33:47
Nkosinathi Sibiya with a time of 1:38:51
Koos Molutsi with a time of 1:38:53
Thokozani Sipho Phungula with a time of 1:42:46
The first four women to complete the 24km division are:
Jacqui Blick with a time a time of 2:34:04
Ashleigh Hilliar with a time of 2:42:02
Taryn Strydom with a time of 2:44:25
Chantelle van Heerden with a time of 2:53:07
In the 12km division, the first four men are:
Tshepang Selepe with a time of 0:47:08
Ntokoza Mthembu with a time of 0:57:07
Driaan de Clercq with a time of 0:52:40
Julius de Clercq with a time of 0:53:46
The first four women in the 12km division are:
Nomkhosi Shandu with a time of 1:12:00
Chantelle Joubert with a time of 1:18:52
Cornelia Jonker with a time of 1:19:26
Thobeka Mbatha with a time of 1:23:40
Well done to all the runners for excelling at the race and ensuring it was a day to remember. The second leg of the event will take place at the beginning of August at AJD Meats, the route is a single trail through farmlands up a mountain pass into the foothills of the Drakensburg on the edge of the escarpment.
For more information on the event, be sure to visit the Newcastle Harriers web page.
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