Ngubane races to Three Cranes title
The wily road runner wins another title in fine style.
THE Three Cranes Challenge is one of the toughest races on the trail running calendar. With three days of running more than 100km through the Karkloof Nature Reserve, it’s a challenge not for the faint hearted.
One man who doesn’t mind going against the odds, in terms of conditions, is the North’s wily road runner, Eric Ngubane, who romped home to his second successive Three Cranes title recently. Ngubane, who injured his hamstring before the race, finished with a full 13 minutes between him and his closest rival.
“I feel ecstatic. It’s one of the toughest races but one I’ve always enjoyed. The conditions were extremely tough, there were loads of hills and in some parts it was extremely muddy. But that’s what it’s all about, you have to rise above the challenges,” the champ said.
The 31-year-old has now set his sights on the Pelinduna Ultra Trail Run, which is doubling as the official 2014 SA Ultra Trail Championship (to qualify for world champs) in Gauteng.
“I haven’t run any races in Gauteng, so the toughest thing to overcome would be the altitude. My goal is to win the race, I’m not there for second or third, I would like to win. My ultimate goal would be to represent South Africa at the world champs,” he enthused.
