Maurice Ferreira and Liezel Lourens were first to cross the finish line in the marathon category (70 km) of the annual EH Hassim Lentetrap presented by Polokwane Pedallers Cycling Club at the Polokwane Game Reserve on Saturday.
This year the popular race, themed Ride for Rhinos, drew nearly 400 entries in 34 categories and after nearly ten years of existence proved to be as exciting and enjoyable as ever for both serious participants and those who participated for the fun of it.
The race offers everyone a chance to compete in a class appropriate for the individual’s skills and experience. The biggest challenges were the
70 km mountain bike marathon and 35 km half marathon. As in the past the 17 km Fun Ride and Kiddies Ride over 8 km also proved very popular.
The event was conducted professionally with all the normal rules and regulations in place such as that all riders had to wear helmets. All finishers in by 13:00 received medals. The marathon winners each received R2 000 in prize money, the half marathon winners R1 500 each, and the quarter marathon winners (17 km) each pocketed R750. Category winners and runners-up also received trophies.
Results:
70 km
Men: Maurice Ferreira (2:23:45.28) followed by Mario Ferreira and Bernard Bronkhorst
Women: Liezel Lourens (2:46:59.95) followed by Lourina Dando and Shirley Scriven.
35 km
Men: Kombo Bere (1:13:48.41) followed by Richard Lambert and Edwin Simpson.
Women: Annelize Mentz (1:27:27.78) followed by Kia Smith and Gezina Wolmarans
17 km Fun Ride
Boys: Arno Smit was first over the finish line followed by Armand Cronje and Henry Owens
Girls: Anna Eliza Gutierrez was first followed by Simone Nel and Carla Kruger
The organisers and cyclists afterwards expressed their satisfaction with the race and said that they couldn’t wait for next year.
LEANDRI VAN SCHALKWYK
>>leandri.observer@gmail.com
– Brother and Sister, Paul and Lané Kruger ready to participate in the 17 km Fun Ride.
