Monday, 20 December 2010 09:37
Ngubane wins inaugural Umhlanga Summer Carnival trail run
Mr Price’s Eric Ngubane from Verulam won the inaugural Umhlanga Summer Carnival 16km Trail Run in a time of 1:09:39 - a gruelling 16km trail race run in overcast and cool conditions.
Ngubane settled into the lead within the first 1km on the uphill tarred section with Mzwamandla Zondi from Umlazi a few strides behind him. Heading into the first section of sugar cane Ngubane slowly started to open up the gap. Weaving through the sugar cane approaching the first river crossing, Ngubane gained momentum running down the hill and didn’t falter running through the low river.
Ngubane dominated the entire race, steaming to the finish in an impressive time and comfortably opened up the lead between first and second place with a demanding 09:14 gap. "When I was at the first water table, 8km into the race, I still could see Mzwamandla behind me. But when I crossed the last big river, I was all alone.”
Ngubane, a well-established road runner, has completed five Comrades with a best result of 19th in 2009, commented, "I am feeling strong! The route was tough but very nice and extremely beautiful. I am training for Comrades and this type of running makes your legs and ankles strong. Getting onto the roads is easy after trail running. I highly recommend using trail running as preparation for ultra marathons."
Zondi who has just completed the Sowetan Marathon, his first ever marathon, fell in love with this genre of sport. “It is awesome! It pushed me to my limits and tested me constantly. I thought twice about crossing the Ohlanga River and made the plunge when I saw the guy behind me catching up. Once I was on the beach I realised no one was behind me so I relaxed and cruised the last 2km of the run.”
150 hardcore adventurous runners and walkers trekked through sugar cane, across rivers, along river beds, gravel, soft sand and thick scratchy bush before the punishing final stretch of 2km on Umhlanga beach. On the route there are no markers to indicate how you are doing; you just run enjoying the landscape.
Marketing Manager of race sponsors, Salomon, Jackie Moore raved, “Chatting to a lot of the runners afterwards, they all had one thing to say, how much they loved it. Being able to get off the roads and onto the trails is awesome and certainly is stunning running through these parts of the north coast! The guys appreciated that the race wasn’t too technical and had a nice variety of terrain.”
Event organiser, Buzz Bolton from Riverside Sports said, “We had a fantastic turn out, all eager to try this type of racing out. It certainly is unique to Umhlanga and we are all ready planning the next trail run around these parts for Easter next year. Trail running is in its early days in Kwa-Zulu Natal and certainly is attracting a number of keen athletes and it is wonderful, we don’t damage a thing, not leaving a trace that we were here apart from footprints.”
Men
1. Eric Ngubane 1:09:39 2. Mzwamandla Zondi 1.18.53 3. Mark Matthews 1.19.43 4. Grant Harper 1.24.43 5. Paul Worsnip 1.25.08
Women
1. Mandy Matthews 1.34.47 2. Natasha Papini 1.35.11 3. Debbie Eaton 1.35.29 4. Jane Brewer 1.38.59 5. Tarryn Holding 1.39.27
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