Tough GELVANDALE 10km Tests Local Athletes

Simon Sibeko, 28, of Boxer athletics club, flew to the finish in an excellent time of 29.54, leading the top five pack. Yanga Malusi, 26, of Real Gijimas, finished second in 30.14, followed by the talented young Ikhamva athletics club squad, Sinethemba Jilingisi, 20, third in 30.23, Cwenga Nose, 23, fourth in 30.50 and Lithembe Menzeleleli, 24, in fifth position finishing in a time of 30.55.

Simon Sibeko, who is currently living in Gqeberha and training at the Ikhamva camp, credited esteemed coach, Mike Mbambani for his performance.

“I am happy with my run and want to thank Mike Mbambani, his training camp has made a big difference for my running,” said Sibeko.

Ikhamva Club coach and race convenor, Mike Mbambani, recently received the highest grading from Athletics SA when he was awarded his Level 3 Coaching Certificate from ASA and delivered his thesis to a packed auditorium who were intrigued to listen and learn from the coach who is making a huge difference for talented athletes in the Eastern Cape.

“The NMB Gelvandale 10km is the second last event for the Legacy Series this year which finishes with the NMB 1City Marathon in December.

“Today is also the official start of the track season at Gelvandale Stadium in line with the Legacy Projects vision of bringing sport and races to the people.

“We can see that the Legacy project is working with young highly competitive runners participating and developing into elite athletes like Melikhaya Frans and Thabang Mosiako,” added Mbambani.

Approximately 250 athletes took on Gelvandale’s tough 10km route running in ideal cool weather conditions. The Gelvandale Run, which is sponsored by the Nelson Mandela Bay Municipality as part of the Legacy Project, took place on Saturday.

Kelly van Vliet, of Nedbank running club, was the first woman home in 37.13, and first in her age group 35-39, followed by Kayla Nell, of Charlo athletics club in 38.06. Refeloe Solomons of Nedbank, finished third in 38.55, and first in her age group 40-49, followed by Leigh Callaghan, in fourth place in 39.23, and Ntombesintu Mfunzi, of Nedbank running club, who finished fifth, in 40.38.

Bubbly Kelly was happy with her win. “It was very hilly but good,” said van Vliet.

Ntombesintu Mfinzi who finished first in 2022, had a superb run to finish fifth, considering that she gave birth to her baby son two months before.

“I am glad that I kept active during my pregnancy, said Ntombi.

“It is important for women to know that they can continue being active when pregnant, just not pushing too hard, but training comfortably.

“Your body will respond and I am so happy that my legs kept their memory and that I ran well today, said Mfunzi.

Ikhamva Club shone throughout this race, in addition to three of its members finishing in the top five, Desmond Zibi, 60, broke the EP Athletics record in his 60-69 age category in his impressive time of 0.35.15.

Margie Saunders, of Nedbank running club, gave an outstanding performance finishing first in her 70-79 age category, in a time of 0.46.07, smashing both the EP and SA 10km records in her age category.

Gift Chigomarawa, of Nedbank running club, won his 35-39 age category in 0.32.29, with Luyanda Tshangana, of Ikhamva athletics club, winning his 40-49 age category in 0.32.18. Noel Adams, of Gelvan athletics club, came first in the 50-59 age category in a time of 0.37.40.

Christine Claasen, of Achilles athletics club won the women’s 50-59 age category, in 0.44.39.

Cathy Allers, of Elite athletics club, won the 60-69 age category in 0.56.06.

Running legend, Hannes Els of Madiba Bay Warriors, who has been running for an impressive 44 years, won his age category, 70-79, in 0.45.46, with Origa Nell, of Muirite Striders winning the women’s 80+ age category in 1.30.23.

Oyama Ntantiso, of Nedbank running club, won the junior men’s category in 0.32.33 and Zintle Xhonti, of Motherwell athletics club, won the junior women’s category in 0.45.47.

Full results will be posted on www.epathletics.co.za