Umhlanga trail run a success

UMHLANGA Rocks was a hive of activity with 600 trail runners and walkers converging on the promenade to participate in the fifth summer Jockey Trail Run which formed part of the Umhlanga Summer Festival.

After a five minute compulsory body stretch by a local Health Studio runners and walkers set about meeting the many challenges that lay ahead.

The first was to negotiate a one kilometre single track section past the famous Hawaan Forest.

Next was to cross the medium flowing uMhlanga River to make sure everyone got their shoes and socks wet.

After a refreshment stop there was a monster of a hill to ascend before heading down to the uMhlanga Lagoon. The last challenge was to run on beach sand for two kilometres. Fortunately the water flowing out of the lagoon was slow but still the Bronze Beach Lifesavers where on standby to assist.

On the 18km route runners experienced a new route that followed a trail up to a beacon above eMdloti which offered a stunning view of eMdloti, Westbrook and Durban. The 5km runners and Walkers did a different route through the beautiful Hawaan Dune Forest which is always a highlight.

It was really good to have the start and finish down at uMhlanga’s main beach Millennium stage as runners were also able to relax on the beach after their run and enjoy watching top South African surfers taking part in the Lizzard Hurricane Surf event.

Event organiser and trail running specialist, Buzz Bolton, said “We are so privileged to live in a country that has such an interesting coastline with so many diverse sections of the run.

“I am really happy with the feedback we got from the runners who really enjoyed the route.”

Results (Selected)

18km men
1. Nkosinathi Zungu
2 Eric Ngubane
3 Lonwabo Dlamini

18km women
1 Jenna Challenor
2 Danielle Feldman
3 Coleen Mc Grath

12km men
1 Brink Coetzee
2 Colin Thackwray
3 Mark Matthews

12km women
1 Geraldine von Fintel
2 Belinda Padbury
3 Kate Gounans