MyPE

Community Business Directory, Event Listings, News and Views from Gqeberha, Nelson Mandela Bay

Catching or Running to Catch the Train on 18 August?

By

Train Race Duathlon
Bruce Gie from Port Elizabeth leads a previous edition of the Train Race past North End Station.

The Train Race Duathlon will hit its pinnacle in the Eastern Cape this month when ultimate man versus machine rivalry continues.

On 18 August the province’s top runners will put their reputations on the line to see if they can finally get the better of the Metrorail’s fastest train from Port Elizabeth to Uitenhage. Teams of 6 (5 runners and 1 mountain bike rider) will hand over a baton at 5 different change-overs along a route which runs from station to station along the R102 and R367 roads. The scenic course allows athletes to take in some amazing views, but everyone will have to remember that the PRASA Metrorail will be either bearing down on them or tearing ahead of them to the finish line.

Attie Williams from PRASA Eastern Cape and veteran of the Train Race has said,“It is quite daunting racing against the Metrorail. You always know it is faster than you, but due to scheduling, it has to stop at each station”

The Train is limited by how fast it can go and requires a mandatory stop at each station it passes including a lengthy comfort break for all passengers at the Redhouse station. “There is safe crossover point at Perseverance, it is at that point that you know whether you are in the hunt to beat the Train or not. If you cross the Railway before the Train you are in with a chance. If you get stuck waiting for the Train, you know it’s over”, said Williams.

Last year’s runners had to contend with a strong breeze into them which made life tough, especially for the anchor leg. Perhaps this year with favourable conditions and a top performance these athletes can finally get their names back on top.

The Train Race is not only for the top athletes though. The event encourages club, social, school and corporate teams to enter and focuses on creating team bonding opportunities and promoting a healthy lifestyle for all. The event also creates awareness for CHOC, the Childhood Cancer Foundation who give much needed support to all those fighting for their lives.

CHOC together with various vendors, a kids’ zone, amazing music and a storming finish from all the competitors will form part an exciting festival area at the finish line which transforms Uitenhage station.

With many lucky draw prizes for those in attendance, finishers medals to all those crossing the line and the possibility of seeing the first team victory at the Train in 5 years, the 18th of August will make for a memorable day on the duathlon calendar.

The following two tabs change content below.
My Twitter profileMy Facebook profileMy Google+ profileMy LinkedIn profileMy Flickr profileMy Pinterest profile

Alan Straton

Chief Cook, Bottle Washer and Broom Mechanic at MyPE
Passionate about Port Elizabeth and definitely NOT packing for Perth. Alan's ethos is epitomised in the words of Nelson Mandela; "I have fought against white domination and I have fought against black domination. I have cherished the idea of a democratic and free society. If need be, it is an ideal for which I am prepared to die." See more articles by Alan.