Fantastic Turnout for the Bayrun With Discovery Vitality Race

A field of over 1500 runners enjoyed perfect weather conditions while participating in the BayRun with Discovery Vitality on Saturday.

The Cape Recife High School fields, which hosted the start and finish of the race, were painted pink with a wide expanse of branding from Discovery Vitality lining the start and finish chutes.

The runners enjoyed the festive atmosphere with Virgin Active providing a fun warm-down zone, loads of lucky draw prizes, and the Team Vitality members enjoyed the post-race hospitality snacks at the Team Vitality hospitality area.

Jonathan Mundell, the race director from host running club, 32Gi, was thrilled with the local support of the event for all three distances, 5km, 10km and 21km.

“We want to thank the running community for their amazing support this year, from the beginner walkers to those looking to improve their personal bests, this event really caters for everyone. “The weather played along, and we could not have asked for better conditions.

“We would like to extend our special thanks to our presenting partner, Discovery Vitality, and our support sponsors, Insignio and Puma, we look forward to an even bigger turnout of runners next year!” added Mundell.

Ikhamva athletic club had a clean sweep of winners with Lithebe Menzeleleli winning the 21km in 1.05.38 and Melikhaya Frans flying to the 10km finish in an excellent time of 0.29.32, followed by Sinawo Poti, in second place in 0.31.33.

“I really enjoyed my race and I am happy with my time,” said Frans who also thanked the 32Gi club for such a well-organised race.

In the men’s 21km, Andile Motwana, of Nedbank running club, finished second, in 01.08.37, followed by Sicelo Mashaba, of Madibaz, in 01.09.16.

Refeloe Solomons, of Nedbank running club, was the first woman home in 1.27.28, and first in her age category 40-49. Leigh Callaghan, of Achilles athletics club, finished in second place, in 1.28.22 and Bianca Meistre, of 32Gi athletic club, finished third in 1.28.43, and first in the 35-39 age category.

“I really wanted to win the 21km but I knew I had strong competition with Leigh and Bianca, so I stuck to my running plan and finished strong and I am thrilled to win a pair of Puma running shoes,” said Solomons.

Tabata Mxoleleni, of Chilli athletics club, finished the 10km in third position in 0.31.48. The women’s 10km was won with a strong lead by Ntombesintu Mfunzi, of Nedbank running club, in 0.39.16, also winning her age category 40-49. She was followed by Helde Marais, of Muirite Strider, in second place in 42.15 and Jamie-Lee Bester, of Run 4 Christ athletics club, in third position, in 45.27.

Jamie-Lee also won the junior female age category.

“I am focussing on my 10km races now to build my fitness, and I am pleased with my results, hopefully I will be ready to compete in the NMB 1 City Marathon in December,” added Mfunzi.

The 5km men’s race was won by Khanyisa Gedze and Lisa de Villiers was the first woman to finish the 5km.