The young and old gather to celebrate Madiba at the Mandela Day Trail Run

Mandela Day Trail Run

 It’s not surprising that the Mandela Day Trail Run is the fastest growing trail run in KZN, it’s right on point when it comes to the atmosphere, the route, the people and the venue. Set at the Mandela Capture Site in the hills of the beautiful KZN midlands on the last weekend of August, the weather can be slightly unpredictable and the third running of the trail component of the 5^th Mandela Day Marathon event, was by far the warmest, despite a stiff morning breeze. Being the first event of the weekend, the trail run sets a festive and relaxed tone for weekend.

Trail runners smile, talk to one another and in general have a lot of fun when on the trail. An album of images captured by Julian Schroeder and posted on the KZN Trail Running Facebook page (click here to view album) capture the essence of trail running and the atmosphere at the event, displaying just how inspirational a morning on the trails can be. To gather and run in the hills to celebrate the life of Nelson Mandela, our founding leader, cannot be described, it must be experienced. Well done to all those who came together to share this experience in 2016, from 6 year olds Sizwe Mvelase and Jamie Daniels to 76 year old Brian Jarmey-Swan who all completed the 4km.

The race also boasts impressive prize money, drawing a very competitive field over the 15km, 8km and 4km courses. Runners are made to work hard on some challenging climbs and it was Givemore Mudzinganyama who scored a hat-trick, having won the race in 2014 and 2015, on the longer Championship Course. First in the ladies 15km event was Nobukhosi Tshuma, a first time winner at the race. Full results are available at www.kzntrailrunning.co.za, brief results are below:

15km:Men
1^st. Givemore Mudzinganyama; 2^nd.Ndumiso Sokhela; 3^rd. Anele Dlamini

15km:Women

1^st. Nobukhosi Tshuma; 2^nd. Carla van Huyssteen; 3^rd. Mpho Mabuza

8km:Men
1^st.Tsielo Tsanyane; 2^nd. Altus Badenhorst; 3^rd. Prodigal Khumalo

8km:Women

1^st. Zisandele Mkhize; 2^nd. Nonsikelelo Mbambo; 3^rd. Nonthandozo Mlotswa

4km:Men

1^st.Dumisani Shabalala; 2^nd. Mxolisi Zondi; 3^rd. Owen Bengo

4km:Women

1^st. Happiness Mkhize; 2^nd. Vaylen Kirtley; 3^rd. Nokukhanya Memela

A big thanks to the Umgungundlovu District Municipality and the Mandela Day Marathon for the support they lend to making this amazing trail running event possible.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photos: Julian Schroeder