GRAAFF-REINET NEWS — This past Saturday, March 18, the 50km Bruintjieshoogte Marathon was held for the 40th time, which arguably makes it the oldest ultramarathon in the Eastern Cape.
This race, run between Pearston and Somerset East, over Bruintjieshoogte, is a qualifier for the Comrades marathon later in the year.
The route is both hilly and scenic. The first 12 kilometres are relatively flat and easy whereafter a long stretch between the 13- and 26-kilometre marker boards follow that present some challenging hills. A fair amount of the race is run alongside the Kamala Game Reserve fence where there are usually some fantastic opportunities for game spotting.
The ultramarathon started at the Pearston Town Hall at 5am while the accompanying 25-kilometre event started at the top of Bruintjieshoogte at 6am and the 15-kilometre race started two kilometres on the Somerset East side from the Swaershoek turn-off also at 6am.Twelve members of the Graaff-Reinet Running Club participated in the various races.
Graaff-Reinetters Elise Steynberg and Sipho November successfully completed the 50km-ultramarathon - November came home strongly in seventh place overall in a time of 3.33.46, while Steynberg completed it in a time of 5.34.56.
The 25km marathon was completed by Stefan Steynberg who finished 17th overall in a time of 1.57.14, Japie Masimla (2.10.39), Marijke Beukes (2.39.41), Sophia du Plessis (2.39.42), Carissa Marais (2.39.43), Wybrand Marais (2.47.41) and Louise van Rooyen (2.53.16).
The 15km race was run by Lotter van Niekerk ending in ninth place in a time of 1.16.25, Michelle Hobson (1.35.42) and Anje Gerryts (1.37.54). The Graaff-Reinet Running Club has a full programme of running events in the pipeline for 2017 and as always, they are looking for prospective members to join the club.
Those interested can contact Rozelle Köhne at 049 891 0825 to find out more.
Local athletes at the start of the 25km-race on top of Bruintjieshoogte: Japie Masimla, Wybrand Marais, Stefan Steynberg, Sophia du Plessis, Carissa Marais, Marijke Beukes and Luise van Rooyen.
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