On the road – March 20

Dolphin Coast Striders

The Dolphin Coast Striders will be hosting the Deloitte Challenge on Friday, May 1. The event consists of four challenges. The marathon starts at Lifestyle Centre and travels down the M4 and finishes on the Kingspark rugby fields. The half marathon starts at the Sibaya Casino and joins the marathon course on the M4. The cycle race starts outside Ashton College and goes off 30 minutes before the marathon. Finally, to ensure there is something for everybody in the family, there is a 5km fun run that starts and finishes at Kingspark.

The course down the M4 hugging our beautiful coastline is an absolute delight. It’s quick and is an ideal last Comrades qualifier. Alternatively, many Comrades runners will use the marathon as a scenic easy last long run. Cyclist are crying out for races of this sort. The speedsters will no doubt blast it as a time trial but many will enjoy a lovely 40km trip down the coast with one side of the M4 closed.

Toyota Ballito and Toyota Durban North are just two of the companies and organisations that will be vying with each other to win the R10 000 prize awarded to the best organised and exciting water point. Runners and cyclists can expect music fun and lots of razzmatazz along the way.

The first 5000 entrants in the marathon, half marathon and cycle race will receive magnificent moisture management race shirts. Finishers in all four of the challenges receive a beautiful commemorative medal. It is pre entry only for all but the fun run event – enter at www.deloittechallenge.co.za or at Kingspark for the fun run on the morning of the race.

Barry Holland

Tongaat Panthers

The Tongaat Panthers athletic club (TPAC) successfully hosted its first 42.2km Classic race that included the 21.1km and 10 km run/walk last weekend. The marathon was a Comrades qualifier and the club did extremely well to organise a top class event. The early start and the flat, fast route assisted the runners and walkers in posting some good times. The midday heat and humidity had the participants working hard but the excellent hydration of cold water, cool drinks, fruits, other refreshments helped the participants to do their best. The male winner over the marathon distance was Nicholas Mjadu from Mr. Price athletic club in a time of 2:51:47, whilst the first female over the distance was Ash Naidoo from Phoenix Villagers in a time of 03:55:28. In the 21.1 km run the winner was Ishmael Sekhontana from Hillcrest in a time of 1:13:39, with David Flood from Nedbank taking the honours in the 21.1 km walk in a time of 2:20:08. The first female runner over 21.1 km was Tammy Dennik from Westville in 1:50:46. In the 10km race was won by David Mfeka from Verulam Athletic club in 36:54.

The club thanks everyone who contributed to make this event such a success and especially the main sponsor, Nabro / Trubrick, Ice promotions.

Strini Moodley

The Deloitte Challenge organising committee at Sibaya Casino, the start venue of the half marathon – Barry Holland (race director), Chiselle Coffin-Grey, Christy Bremner, Simone Reid and Guy Brazier (Deloitte KZN).

Panther 1) Ash Naidoo, winner of the ladies 42.2 km race, with TPAC chairperson LB Maharaj and Duggie Munsami from her Phoenix Villagers club.

Panther2) Winner of the 42.2 km race, Nicholas Mjadu with vice president of TPAC Sajeeda Adbool.