MORE than 500 trail runners gathered at the Umhlanga Promenade Millennium stadium for the sixth Umhlanga Winter Trail Run recently. Professor Cele was the ultimate overall winner of the fast but testing 18km route in a time of 1 hour 19 minutes and 24 seconds. Close on his heels was Thiery Pletinickx in a time of 1 hour 19 minutes 46 seconds.

Lisa Collett was the first lady home in a time of 1 hour 29 minutes and 12 seconds.

In the 12km event local running legend Jenna Challenor took the overall honours in 56 minutes. One of the organisors, Buzz Bolton, said he was pleased with the turnout.

“We had 580 runners who braved the cold which is fantastic. What was special, in the event’s six year history, Jenna’s victory was the first time a lady runner has given the men a beating. Other than the chilly conditions at the start the weather was perfect for runners and walkers to enjoy natures gymnasium,” he said.

Entries will be open shortly for the Umhlanga Trail Run on 18 December.