GEORGE NEWS - The 29th annual Palm Tyre 10km road race attracted a strong field of athletes on Saturday 27 June.
Hosted by the Rainbow Athletics Club, in partnership with Palm Tyre, this popular race drew runners from across the Garden Route, while families and social runners enjoyed the inaugural 4km colour run.
The open men's category was dominated by Nedbank RC SWD. Lloyd Bosman stormed to victory in a fast 30:24. He was followed by clubmates Bruce Maboza (31:45) and Austin Koopman (32:35).
In the women's open race, Cindy Viljoen led the field home in 40:27, just ahead of Nerida Lubbe (40:31). Anel van Wyk completed another strong Nedbank RC SWD showing in 40:56.
The junior categories showed promising young talent. Cuan Wildeman of Bayethe RC won the men's section in 35:15, while Karli Lotter of Outeniqua Harriers took top honours in the junior women's race in 41:58.
Veteran athletes also delivered impressive performances. Michael Bayley of Outeniqua Harriers won in 35:42. In the women's veterans category, Van Wyk with her 40:56 came in narrowly ahead of Annerie Donald (42:20).
In the master division, Robert Welsh of Nedbank RC SWD took first place in 37:03, while Lubbe added another podium finish in the women's category with her 40:31.
The grandmaster races saw Johan Grobbelaar (42:09) and Annatjie Botes (46:14), both from Nedbank RC SWD, take top honours in their respective divisions.
In the great grandmaster category, Desmond Kleyn of Outeniqua Harriers won the men's race in 51:32, while Mariet Horn of Knysna Marathon Club led the women home in 55:10.
The 80+ category once again highlighted remarkable longevity in the sport. John Pywell (57:58) and Vincent Rayne (1:03:02) completed the men's race, while Kim Roberts (1:02:21) represented the women's field.
"This event has become a tradition on our athletics calendar, and it's wonderful to see so many runners, schools and families supporting the event year after year.
"The addition of the colour run brought even more people together and created a fantastic atmosphere. We are grateful to Palm Tyre, our sponsors, volunteers and every athlete who made the day such a success," said Rainbow's chairperson, Desmond Prins.
Lovebirds Johann du Preez and Beatrie Zandberg.
The women's podium: Cindy Viljoen in first place, Rainbow Athletics Club's Gerald de Villiers, Nerida Lubbe in second place and Nel van Wyk in third.
Nedbank runners Anne-Marie Naude, Elsje Eloff and Alta Zeelie, and George Herald's Janien Gericke in blue.‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
