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Night Relay Victory for Transnet

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Transnet Win Investec Night Relay
Transnet’s Melikhaya Frans crossing the line.

A determined team of runners from the Transnet Engineering division spoilt the party for the Gamble Pharmacy team at the final round of the Investec Night Relay at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Thursday evening after a spirited race to the end. Having dominated the Series over the past three years, the young Gamble Pharmacy team was hoping for their 3rd win out of 4 starts this season but saw their dreams dashed in the last of the 5 five kilometre laps.

With the lead changing several times, it was Transnet’s Melikhaya Frans who pulled out all the stops by completing his 5km lap in a time of 15 minutes 13 seconds to ensure his teams overall victory in a time of 1hr 17min 11sec over the 25km distance. Gamble Pharmacy finished just 35 seconds later with their ‘B’ team in third place a further 7 minutes back.

“I’ve done a couple of the Night Relay races this year and really enjoy the course as it’s fast and not too tough, ” said 22 year old Melikhaya Frans of the winning Transnet team. “It was an exciting race last night as I set off last for my team and was about 30 seconds behind the leading team but managed to catch and overtake him within the first kilometre.”

It was Transnet’s second win of the year and it was made all the sweeter with their second team winning the Mixed teams category from Investec 1 and SPAR EC 2 whilst in the ladies category it was the Aquabear Ladies team which claimed their second win of the Series ahead of Investec 8 and Wimpy. In the walking category, which comprised of 3 walkers in a team, it was Bluewater Bay Athletics team which finished off the Season unbeaten with 4 wins from 4 starts. They won in a time of 1hr 28min 18seconds ahead of The Pagdenites and the young team from Artwork for Youth.

The Investec Night Relay is an annual initiative which not only highlights urban renewal in North End Lake and Stadium precinct but also supports local charities. The beneficiary of this year’s Investec Night Relay was the ACVV Kamvalethu drop-in Centre for street children.

Summary Results – Investec Night Relay: Round 4, Thursday 14th August 2014:

  • Men’s Relay: 1 Transnet Lions 1:17:16; 2 Gamble Pharmacy 1:17:53; 3 Gamble Pharmacy ‘B’ 1:25:05; 4 SPAR EC 1:25:17; The Flying Sages 1:36:48
  • Ladies Relay: 1 Aquabear 1:49:21; 2 Investec 8 2:13:15; 3 Wimpy 2:17:07; 4 Fintax 2:21:36; 5 Access 2:27:11
  • Mixed Relay: 1 Transnet Lions 2:31:00; 2 Investec 1 1:32:57; 3 SPAR EC 1:43:12; 4 Artwork for Youth 1:43:27; 5 PKF 1:55:08;
  • Walking Relay: 1 BWB Dream Team 1:28:03; 2 The Pagdenites 1:55:43; 3 Artwork for Youth walkers 1:56:24; 4 PW Harvey walkers 2:10:08; 5 No Rush Strider 2:12:00;
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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.