MyPE

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

Train Wins

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The Metrorail train proved too strong for the teams this year in the Nelson Mandela Bay Train Race which took place between Port Elizabeth and Uitenhage Stations yesterday. The 700 strong passengers on the train got to enjoy the feeling of victory as the train crossed the finish line in a time of 1hr 43minutes, just 5 minutes ahead of defending champion Corporate Team, Gamble Pharmacy.

Great conditions welcomed the participants and spectators at Port Elizabeth Station as the race got underway at 9am on Sunday. With 5 runners and 1 Mountain Bike cyclist per team, there was a terrific atmosphere along the route as the race passed through Swartkops, Redhouse, Perseverance and Despatch before finishing at the Uitenhage Station which was transformed into a festival area with vendors and kids entertainment to welcome the thousands that followed the race.

Gamble Pharmacy were the strongest of the 150 teams taking part whilst Bruce Gie won the Individual category in a time of 2hrs 46min. SPAR Eastern Cape crossed the line 2nd in the corporate category with Caltex Toby’s Motors in 3rd place. Pharmacy Runners won the Social category ahead of Super Troopers and Red Steam Runners whilst Despatch Athletics A team won the club category from Vukani Chiefs and SPAR Athletics Club. Swartkops Primary won the schools category from Uitenhage High school.

“Congratulations to all that took part in this year’s Train Race and particularly to Mike Zoetmulder and his team from Zsports for organising another fantastic event in Nelson Mandela Bay, ” said PRASA Train Race co-ordinator Attie Williams. “We are super excited that the Train managed to reclaim the trophy again this year and we are already looking forward to a bigger event next year.”

“I’d like to thank the 80 strong volunteers, members of Eastern Province Triathlon Association, the Traffic Services, SAPS, Relay Medical, Rotary Club of Port Elizabeth Sunrise  and all the logistics teams and sponsors that make an event of this nature possible.” said race director Mike Zoetmulder. “Everything went off without incident and we were really pleased with the support which this race received again this year and hope that next year the Metro will become more involved to allow us to attract more teams from outside of the Nelson Mandela Bay region.”

Results:

  1. Train won in a time of 1hr 43min 28seconds

Top 3 running teams were:

  1. Gamble Pharmacy 1h48.08
  2. Pharmacy Runners 2hr01.20
  3. SPAR Eastern Cape 2h02.43
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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.