TOTT 11 October 2018

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Contact us with any sports news: (046) 624-4356 (Jon Houzet) Thursday, October 11, 2018
Port Alfred abuzz
with Pineapple Run
Annual race draws
runners from all over
province, further afield
FIGHTING FIT: Christine Claasen, 54, was the first
woman home in the 27km Kowie Striders BUCO
Pineapple Run last Saturday
Pictures: NTOMBI MSUTU
WINNING SPIRIT: George Ntshiliza, from Port Elizabeth,
quenches his thirst after taking first place in the 27km
Kowie Striders BUCO Pineapple Run at the country club
last Saturday
NTOMBENTSHA MSUTU and
JON HOUZET
The Kowie Striders held their gruelling
annual 10km and 27km BUCO
Pineapple Run on Saturday, with a
significant number of entrants from
different parts of the province and further
afield.
The race saw runners from East
London, Komani, Port Elizabeth and as far
afield as K wa Z u l u - N at a l .
The heat on the day was an obstacle in
itself, but that did not stop the runners
from participating.
The main race, the 27km, started at the
Big Pineapple in Bathurst and ended at
the Port Alfred Country Club.
This route is a mixture of town and
rural country roads, with most of the
climbing done in the first half of the race.
The second half included some gravel
roads as it passed through local farms
and game-farming areas. There was some
fast downhill running over the last 5km.
Some opted to walk the route, setting
off half an hour before the runners.
The 10km event is in a loop that starts
and ends at the Country Club, skirting the
CBD and going through the East Bank.
The biggest challenge was the Alfred
Road hill, both for runners and walkers,
but the downhill from the top of Wharf
Street past Station Hill and Nemato
provided sweet relief.
Of the much-appreciated water tables
manned by volunteers, the one at the top
of Alfred Road hill had the most
exuberant supporters cheering all on.
Both young and old took part, with the
oldest runner in the 27km race an
impressive 75 years old and the first
woman home in the 27km, 54 years old.
The winner of the 10km run was
Vuyolwethu Selani, in a time of 34
minutes and 41 seconds.
Lubabalo Jusayi was second in
0:35:42, and third wa s Khanyiso Cini in
0 : 37 : 3 8 .
The first woman home in the 10km run
was Sarah Raubenheimer, in 0:43:26.
In the 27km run, first was veteran
George Ntshiliza in 1:39:05, followed by
Sandile Ngunuza in 1:39:08, and Bradley
Mackenzie in 1:47:07.
The first woman in the 27km run was
Christine Claasen in 2:06:36.
At the end of the race, great cash
prizes were handed out to the winners,
sponsored by BUCO, Rosehill Spar and
Pick n Pay. There were also plenty of
lucky draws.
Everyone who participated received a
medal and a branded glass, with thirstquenching
pineapple juice sponsored by
Summerpride Foods in East London.
All set for Prestons Men’s Classic
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The highlight of the
Kowie Bowling Club
calendar is their
Prestons Men’s Classic,
which is to be played at
the club this weekend.
The tournament
carries prize money of
more than R30,000,
with first prize a
handsome R8,000,
followed by a further 17
prizes, with the tenth
winning a generous
R1,000.
Added to the above
will be three session
prizes.
There will also be
many complimentary
handouts over the two
days for the 112 bowlers
taking part, making this
a popular and
memorable weekend of
bowls to be enjoyed by
all on excellent greens.
Delicious country
catering includes a
whopping man-sized
500g T-bone steak,
which will be served on
Saturday evening.
The tournament has
become a prestigious
and sought-after event,
drawing bowlers (30
teams) from all over the
Eastern Province, Karoo
and Border areas, as
well as a team all the
way from Western
Province, the Mowbray
Club.
Convenor Peter Ford
was congratulated by
his club on organising
what they hope will be
a very successful
tournament.
Local Springbok
bowler Rob Owsley and
many top provincial
bowlers will also be
taking part.
“There is no entry fee,
so come down to the
Kowie Club to watch
and enjoy some top
quality and competitive
bowls next weekend,”
Ford said.
À
MAN IN CHARGE: Prestons Men’s Classic organiser Peter Ford promises a great weekend of bowls
at the Kowie Bowling Club
Picture: ROB KNOWLES