Change a Lifers snap up personal bests
The local sporting academy's members were at the top of their game when competing in the recent Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival.
MARTIN Dreyer’s Change A Life Academy’s mountain bikers and trail runners celebrated their best results at the recent Sappi Karkloof Classic Trail Festival.
Trail runners swept to the top three spots in the 9km Sappi Karkloof Trail Run, with a delighted Mxolisi Zondi taking the overall victory.
Minutes later, as the runners in the 18km trail run flooded across the finish line at the Karkloof Country Club, Change A Life runners grabbed two of the top six places.
The team’s mountain bikers basked in the spotlight as they featured prominently in the four bunches at the front of the race.
Sthembiso Masango and Ndumiso Dontso finished in eighth and ninth respectively. The Academy’s riders secured seven of the top 25 places.
ALSO READ: Duo tackles 67km paddle on Mandela Day to save Shongweni Dam reserve
“It is by far the best showing we have ever had at the Sappi Karkloof Classic,” gushed the Academy’s founder, Martin Dreyer.
“We were a very proud team that travelled back to the Valley after the weekend in the Karkloof.”
While he was delighted with the overall performance, Dreyer said the win in the 9km trail run by Mxolisi Zondi was a standout.
“It is the first time he has made it to the top step of the podium, but actually it should be no surprise,” said Dreyer.
“In the tough Warrior Black Ops Elite races he has been excelling and has been getting closer and closer to the top 10. Winning the 9km title is fantastic, particularly when you consider that he comes from a very poor household where opportunity is almost non-existent.”
Zondi said his successes as an athlete allowed him to become independent and support himself through racing incentives.
“My family gets support through food parcels and also from myself as I have developed physically and I’m able to work on any heavy chores and repairs at home as I am the male figure. The community I live in has grown to love sport, from seeing the good changes in our lives and encourage us to continue and get more youth involved.”
Zondi said his athletic endeavours with the Merchants Change A Life Academy can be summarised in three words: “Independence, hope and future,” he said.
Results:
18km Sappi Karkloof Trail Run men:
2. Mthobisi Mzolo 1:09:55
6. Joe Maphumelo 1:15:15
9km Sappi Karkloof Trail Run men:
1. Mxolisi Zondi 38:12
2. Hlelani Radebe 38:17
3. Dumisa Shabalala 38:40
6. Samkelo Shangase 40:37
7. Raymond Radebe 40:53
60km Sappi Karkloof Marathon men:
8. Sthembiso Masango 2:59:35
9. Ndumiso Dontso 3:00:00
Do you want to receive alerts regarding this and other Highway community news via WhatsApp? Send us a WhatsApp message (not an sms) with your name and surname (ONLY) to 060 532 5409.
You can also join the conversation on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
PLEASE NOTE: If you have signed up for our news alerts you need to save the Highway Mail WhatsApp number as a contact to your phone, otherwise you will not receive our alerts.
