MyPE

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

Train Race heading for a sell-out

By

The newly introduced Nelson Mandela Bay Train Race has received an above average number of entries at this early stage and would appear to be on track for a sell-out of 300 teams and a train packed with over 700 spectators. The Train Race, a unique Man vs Machine fun Duathlon style relay race for Teams of 5 runners and 1 MTB cyclist or Individuals, takes place in Nelson Mandela Bay on Sunday 2nd October against a Metrorail Rail run by PRASA between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage Stations.

Limited to just 300 teams, the race could well see a sell-out before the end of September and local companies and schools are encouraged to secure their entries soonest. To assist, the organisers are calling for the details of one team representative and team name(s) at this stage so that companies, schools, club or social teams are able to book their spots without having had the chance to finalise your team composition. The introduction of the MTB leg between Swartkops and Perseverance has proven to be a great success and ensures a further 30% of the race route is alongside the railway tracks and in sight of the train. The 38km of the race are broken into 6 stages with each stage ending at a sponsored change over area with no fewer than 6 water tables along the route. Stage 1 is a flat 5km run from PE Station to the Caltex Change over point opposite Sydenham Station, stage 2 is the shortest leg at 3.5km and takes runners to the Discovery Consulting Services change over in Deal Party just passed New Brighton Station, stage 3 is a 4.5km run through to the Town Lodge change over area on the Strand in Swartkops before the MTB Cyclists take over for stage 4 to cycle to Perseverance,  Stage 5 is a mixture of trail and road running to take teams to the Bidvest Car Rental change over stage at Despatch Station before the final runner takes over to complete an 8km run to the Uitenhage Station which will feature a festival of activity including a Kids Play Zone, Castle Lite Beer Garden and supplied braai facilities (regret no open fires permitted by teams or visitors).

Further information, team registration and Spectator train tickets are all available on www.TrainRace.co.za. Over 80% of the allocated 700 train tickets have already been sold and soonest purchase at R60 per person is recommended to avoid disappointment. The Train Race, backed by Powerade, Dynamic Express Services, the Kelston Motor Group and Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism, supports local charity Love Story, the Redhouse Benevolent Society and the Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth Sunrise.

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.