Tayne Rudling (19) pulled off the biggest victory of his career when he claimed the men’s title at the 45km Sappi Scottburgh MTB and Trail Run last Sunday.
The teen beat up-and-coming Sihle Mlungu and pre-race favourite Daniel van der Watt on the new-look route, which had to be changed at the last minute due to a bridge being flooded.
Although there was rain in the days leading up to the event, Van der Watt and Rudling fought for early dominance in perfect, cool weather conditions, but their battle for victory was halted when Van der Watt had a puncture and was then also passed by Mlungu as he struggled home.
The top woman was Nadine Nunes, who was an easy winner in the absence of South Coast local Hayley Smith, who opted not to start.
Denise Pienaar finished second, with Maja Kearley rounding out the podium.
In the short 20km event, Calan Goetsch (10) edged out his father, Matt, by three seconds, with Ezra Evans rounding out the podium positions.
Kaitlyn Muller was the first woman in the short race, with Angela Bunge and Carmen Stassen completing the top three.
The 12km trail run saw Ayanda Mthimkulu cruise home a comfortable four minutes clear of Steven Gossman, with Wonderful Mudyiwa third, while Romy Wenzel was a clear woman’s winner in an impressive fifth overall.
Khanyisile Cele and Janine Grantham filled the lower steps of the women’s podium.
Leading results are as follows:
MTB
45km – Men1 Tayne Rudling 1:35:25
2 Sihle Mlungu 1:39:14
3 Daniel Van Der Watt 1:43:20
4 Matthew Holloway 1:48:08
5 Siphesihle Ngcobo 1:54:07
Women
1 Nadine Nunes 2:09:20
2 Denise Pienaar 2:58:53
3 Maja Helen Kearley 3:31:30
4 Maryna Kearley 3:38:32
5 Denise Shepherd 4:01:34
20km
Men
1 Calan Goetsch 0:55:37
2 Mathew Goetsch 0:55:40
3 Ezra Evans 0:59:16
4 Seth Fraser 1:05:41
5 Paul Muller 1:06:09
Women
1 Kaitlyn Muller 1:06:09
2 Angela Bunge 1:14:30
3 Carmen Stassen 1:17:25
4 Mandy Koegelenberg 1:27:41
5 Chloe Carter-Brown 1:32:06
12km Trail Run
Men
1 Ayanda Mthimkulu 0:50:08
2 Steven Gossman 0:54:14
3 Wonderful Mudyiwa 0:56:05
4 Howard Cele 0:56:59
5 Hopewell Mhlengi Zama 0:58:18
Women
1 Romy Wenzel 0:57:03
2 Khanyisile Cele 1:21:46
3 Janine Grantham 1:24:25
4 Debbie Gillett 1:24:59
5 Debbie Van Leeuwen 1:26:17
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