Metcalfe excels again
The star ultra-distance endurance runner from Fochville, Cornel Metcalfe, showed her strength again in the 45th Washie 100 miler race last weekend.
A crew comprising her husband, Mark, and running partner, Elmarie Hayes, assisted her.
This was the fourth year the route ran from Cathcart Country Club to the Buffs Cricket Club in East London, totalling 161 km. The original Washie Route from Port Alfred to East London is currently deemed inaccessible for the runners and support crews due to roadworks in and around East London.
Starting in Cathcart at 17:00 on Friday, the participants ran through the night and had until 19:00 on Saturday to complete the gruelling distance within 26 hours. This year saw 113 entries, only 109 of which lined up at the start. Of them, only 91 runners reached the finish line in East London.
Unfortunately, a seconder and a male runner died in two unrelated incidents during the event. The race organisers and runners extend their condolences to the family and friends of the two fallen Washie members.
It was the first time a death had occurred in the 45-year history of the Washie 100 Miler.
Despite all the obstacles, Metcalfe ran a well-strategised pace throughout and crossed the finish line in 19:32 min, placing her 13th overall and the third woman home. Metcalfe has now completed 33 100 miler events and still holds the record for the most 100 Miler events a South African woman has completed.
