Runners take to the streets for Alan Robb Race
The 2018 Alan Robb Race saw approximately 2 000 runners taking to the streets of Germiston on Sunday.
It was a chilly autumn morning on Sunday, but that didn’t stop approximately 2 000 eager participants from gathering at the Germiston Stadium for the 2018 Alan Robb Race.
The event is held annually by the Germiston Callies Harriers in honour of Alan Robb, who won four Comrades Marathons in Callies’ colours.
The race, formerly known as the Legends Race, included a 15km and a 32km race, with runners hitting the streets at 6.30am to the sound of a siren and among them was Robb himself, who later handed out prizes.
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“The race’s route saw runners heading around Germiston Lake and then down Elsburg Road.
“At about 10km the 15km race turned off up the Colin Wade Bridge and then returned to the stadium through the streets of Lambton, while the 32km race continued into Elsburg along Olivier Road, then up Webber Road before making its way into Alberton via Russel Road, Black Reef Road and Radio Road.
“The route then returned to the stadium via Gosforth Park, past Rand Airport and around the back of Germiston Lake into Webber Road and back to the stadium via Parkhill Road,” explained Les Black, on behalf of Callies.
The men’s 15km was won by Thato Pule, from the Tembisa Athletics Club, while Cornelia Joubert, from the Boxer Athletics Club, won in the women’s 15km division.
Lucky Mtshali, from the Nedbank Athletics Club, finished first in the men’s 32km run, while Kim Laxton, from RAC, won the women’s event.
Laxton did not only win but also improved the race record previously held by her mother, Sonja.
In keeping with tradition, the day also hosted a 5km fun run, which aimed to raise funds for a worthy charity.
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Callies announced that all proceeds from this year’s fun run will be donated to the Care Bear Gauteng Safe House for Abandoned and Abused Babies and Toddlers, in Elsburg, which offers a place of safety to abused, orphaned and neglected children in Germiston.
This was the second year that the race benefited the home, located at 22 Joubert Street, which was established in 2016 and is managed by Zenobia Venter.
“Approximately R4 500 was raised for the home,” said Black.
The club was thrilled with the success of this year’s race and thanked the members of the Care Bear Gauteng Safe House for Abandoned and Abused Babies and Toddlers and the Elsburg CPF for their help with security at the stadium and at one of the water points along the route.
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