Ngubane shatters Golden Gate record

Local runner Eric Ngubane was crowned the champion of the 2017 Old Mutual Wild Series Golden Gate Challenge for a second year in a row, blowing away his competition over the weekend.

The grueling trail race takes runners through some of the most scenic and rugged mountains forming part of the Golden Gate Highlands National Park in the Free State.

Also read: A Blooming success!

The defending champion ran like a man possessed for three days, shaving almost seven minutes off his 2016 winning time (and event record) to complete the 73km race in an overall time of 6:23:23.

Second and third position for the men’s race went to Old Mutual development runners Nomore Mandivengerei and Linda Zondi respectively more than 20 minutes behind the intrepid Ngubane.

The three-day trail run, now in its seventh year, was the final Old Mutual Wild Series event of the year, with participants enjoying perfect conditions on all three days of running.

Unique amongst events in South Africa, the Golden Gate Challenge features no prize money, with race fees also going towards conservation efforts in the Golden Gate National Park.

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