POLOKWANE – A total of 420 cyclists showed up to participate in the annual E.H. Hassim Lentetrap which was held at the Polokwane Game Reserve on Saturday.
Cyclists from all over the province and as far as Zimbabwe and the USA battled it out in the different races, which consisted of a 70 km marathon, 36 km half-marathon, 17 km fun ride and for the first time also a kiddies ride.
The race was organised by E.H. Hassim Builders World together with Polokwane Pedallers Cycling Club (PPCC).
The race statistics show that 43 male and 7 female cyclists took part in the 70 km, while 128 males and 49 females participated in the 36 km.
A total of 99 male and 74 female cyclists started the 17 km race while 32 boys and 18 girls competed in the first-ever kiddies race.
(See the results of races below article)
A word from the organisers
Anschke de Beer, E.H. Hassim’s marketing manager, thanked PPCC and other sponsors for making this another memorable E.H. Hassim Lentetrap.
“The team from Polokwane Pedallers really established themselves as a force this year. Hard work paid off for cyclists in an enthusiastic atmosphere. We are proud to be associated with all roleplayers who make the Lentetrap such a success,” said De Beer.
She added that all the cyclists had a lot of fun while competing and the general expression was that they can’t wait for next year’s edition.
Ronel Delport, PPCC president, also confirmed the race was held to raise awareness about rhino poaching and she was therefore happy with the number of cyclists who supported the event.
“The money raised during the race will go towards the conservation of the rhinos.
“Rhino poaching is a headache in our country and we have to do something before it is too late,” she stated.
The results in all the categories are:
Boys fun ride:
1. Arno Smit – 39:50.
2. Armand Cronje – 39:50.
3. Henry Owens – 46:03.
Girls fun ride:
1. Anna Eliza Gutierrez – 43:49.
2. Simone Nel – 48:13.
3. Carla Kruger – 49:18.
Women 35 km race:
1. Annelize Mentz (QOM) – Queen of the Mountain (prize sponsored by Toyota Finance) – 1:27:27.
2. Gezina Wolmarans – 1:33:49.
Men 35 km race:
1. Kombo Bere (KOM) – King of the Mountain (prize sponsored by Toyota Finance) – 1:13:48.
2. Richard Lambert – 1:13:48.
3. Edwin Simpson – 1:14:10.
Women 70 km race:
1. Liezel Lourens (QOM) – Queen of the Mountain (prize sponsored by Toyota Finance) – 2:46:59.
2. Lourina Dando – 2:58:15.
3. Shirley Scriven – 3:02:11.
Men 70 km race:
1. Maurice Ferreira (KOM) – King of the Mountain (prize sponsored by Toyota Finance) – 2:23:45.
2. Mario Ferreira – 2:23:47.
3. Bernard Bronkhorst – 2:28:32.