Nearly 90 individual runners, 20 three-person relay teams, and six under fourteen athletes competed in the first Hopewell Conservation Night Run.
The winner was James Thorburn, who finished the 15,5 kilometre course in 1:10:32. Jean Wright was close behind on 1:11:04, and then Bennie. Stadler on 1:12:39. Jane Barnardo (1:17:40) was both fourth and the first women home.
The 16,5km team relay was won by Bron (subs corr) Turner, Michael Campbell and Patric Jibiliza in 1:23:39, followed by John Lombardo, Lwazi Mgidi and Reyno Momberg (1:29:59), with a mixed team consisting of Jean Du Plessis, Stephan Jansen van Rensburg and Marieke Roux third on 1:32:00.
First home in the 3,5km Kids Bush run was Vuyisekani Mgidi, followed by Tristan Zoetmulder and Jade Baldie.
“The inaugural Hopewell Conservation Estate Night Trail Run was well supported and enjoyed by all in one of the best trail run settings in Nelson Mandela Bay,” says Mike Zoetmulder of Zports, which organised the event.
He says the athletes were inspired by the concept and the venue, and suggested adding other events.
“Zports is looking forward to our next great event at this awesome estate, where we can cater for families, with Mountain Bike and Trail Running courses,” he added.
The Hopewell Conservation Estate, which is just outside Port Elizabeth, is a newly-declared nature reserve which includes a small residential node.
