BLITZING his way to an incredible finish, Eric Ngubane showed his fine form in his final event of the year as he claimed top honours in the uMhlanga Trail Run on Sunday 18 December at the uMhlanga Summer Festival.
Crossing the line after flying through the 18km trail, Ngubane stopped the clock in a time of 1:13.00. Running at an average of four minutes and three seconds.
“I managed to keep my time under four minutes for a lot of the race but the final 4km stretch on the sand was hard!” the very fit and wiry Ngubane said after he cruised through the line.
Ngubane who notched up 222km this week in the build up to this race said: “I ran 29km yesterday to loosen the muscles. I am feeling strong but will be taking a well-deserved break after this race. I won the Lesotho Ultra Trail 50km three weeks ago. My focus is now shifting from trails to road in the build-up for the Comrades Marathon, after that I will be back on the trails.”
The leading lady, Amy Burger took line honours in the 18km race, finishing with 30 seconds to spare ahead of second placed Lisa Collett.
Burger said: “It was epic! The last section on the beach was not a glamorous ending, I wiped out, getting knocked over by the surf. But I love trail running, and the challenges that go with running off road. I did Comrades this year and it took forever for my body to recover. Running on the trails is far easier on the body.”
By far the cutest rising trail running star, 10-year-old Liam Johnson wowed the crowd with his impressive run in the shorter distance, the 5km run. He completed the run in a time of 22.33, 26 seconds behind first place Hendrik van Rensburg who is three times his age. The youngster completed the 2016 race with his mother, Jodi who ended with a podium result in the 12km race, claiming second spot.
Cari-Ann Smith finished with a comfortable five minute gap ahead of second placed Jodi Davidson. This is her second uMhlanga Trail Run, having done the 18km three years ago.
A familiar face in running events, both road and trail, Durban Central’s Zoe Papadakis claimed third spot in the women’s 18km event.
The next uMhlanga Trail Run is over the Easter period. Visit www.umhlangatrailrun.co.za or www.umhlangafestival.co.za.
