The Weekend Post Ocean Racing Series is seeing a massive increase in the number of children taking part in this fortnightly family beach event which is unique to Nelson Mandela Bay. Sunday’s Round 2 of the Series saw over 80 kids, 12 years and under, taking part in the Kingfisher FM 1km Beach Run, just one of 5 events on offer on each of the race days this Summer.
“It’s important that we try and encourage youngsters to become more action, and we’re very pleased that the Ocean Racing Series is starting to attract more kids to Hobie Beach on race days,” said event organiser Mike Zoetmulder of Zports. “The Series has always been more about fun than serious competition, and the introduction of the Kingfisher FM 1km kids beach run or walk has enabled us to appeal to kids 12 years and under. To see over 80 kids, some still in prams or in moms arms, have so much fun as they compete in the event is fantastic.”
Adding to the popularity of the Kids 1km beach run within the Series has bene the introduction of the kids enjoying their own separate prize giving, lucky draws, medals and hydration at the end of each race day. The children also receive a complimentary race day photograph from Sports Action Photography with the first 50 finishers each race day receiving a sports bottle from Crowhurst and Bond Optometrists with one lucky finisher finding R100 in their bottle.
At Sunday’s race day, Joshua Voigt and Amy Breetzke won the 8u category whilst Brad Breetzke and Jade Voigt won the 10u category leaving Calvin Staisch and Chane van der Watt to share the spoils for the 12u category.
In the Varsity College 5km Beach Run and Walk, Marinus Johnson continued his Series reign winning in just over 16min from Anele Mali and 11 year old Jamie Riddle whilst 58 year old Margie Saunders won the ladies race in 21min57 sec from Lee-anne Collyer and 11 year old Jenna Parry. In the Beach Walk, it was Colin Korkie who crossed the line first ahead of Johan Ferreira and Michael Eales whilst
Abongile Nonxuba won the ladies walk ahead of Sweta Das and Lana Potter.
Blustery conditions didn’t make the swim legs that easy on Sunday with the top three placings in the Men’s Dis-Chem 2km Swim remaining the same as round 1 with Wayne Jones taking it from Jonathan Roux and Siegfried Lokotsch 29:22. In the ladies 2km swim it was Natalie Snodgrass who beat Adri Louw and Tarryn Els for the honours. The most popular event of the morning continues to be the Dis-Chem 1km Ocean Swim with 170 participants on Sunday and Chris Van de Sande winning from Jason and Daniel Jones whilst the Billson sisters returned to the Series with Carmel winning from sister Lauren with Lise-mari Goosen in 3rd place.
Full results and information on the Weekend Post Ocean Racing Series is available on www.oceanracingseries.com. Series registration is just R150 and can be made online ensuring a discount race day entry fee. The Series runs on alternate Sunday mornings at Hobie Beach through to the end of March 2012 with all finishers receiving a Series medal and Glaceau vitamin water.
Alan Straton
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