MyPE

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

Machine Triumphs

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Machine triumphed over Man on Sunday morning as just under 200 teams challenged the Train in the Medihelp Nelson Mandela Bay Train Race between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage Stations.

This unique race to Nelson Mandela Bay gives athletes the opportunity to compete against a Metro Train in the only event of it’s kind that links the 3 towns which make up the Metro. A record number of teams set off from Port Elizabeth station in near perfect running conditions which got progressively hotter as they came towards Uitenhage with the young team from Gamble Pharmacy setting a blistering pace over the 38km distance only to be overtaken by the train with just over a kilometer to the end.

Over 700 train passengers enjoyed the experience of rail travel and pulled into Uitenhage Station just 3 minutes and 37 seconds ahead of the Gamble Pharmacy team who finished in a time of 1:50:17, just over a minute slower than their winning time last year. SPAR DC Corporate finishing second in 1:52 whilst Gamble Pharmacy’s 2nd team finished in 3rd place. Transnet Running Club won the Club category ahead of Despatch AC and SPAR DC athletics club. In the social category it was the DC runners winning ahead of the Red Steam Runners and the Cooler Cats.

In the schools category, DSG won the schools category ahead of Grey High School and Willow Academy. In the individual category, Bruce Gie finished the race in a time of 2 hours 32 minutes.

Heyn van Rooyen, Principal Officer of Medihelp Medical Scheme came down from Pretoria to enjoy the train trip and said that Medihelp felt privileged to be part of this unique experience and is looking forward to be back next year for the 2018 Medihelp Nelson Mandela Bay Train Race.

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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.