GALLERY: Blood Buddy athletes take on the Memel to Newcastle challenge

Scores of people congregated at the NG Church in Memel on August 9 for the start of the annual Bloody Buddy Memel 51.5km Walk.

The athletes participated in various categories including run, walk, team walking relay and team running relay.

The atmosphere was carnival-like with people in high spirits in anticipation of the day and enjoyment of the music. Coffee and sandwiches were prepared under the watchful eye of Una Geldenhuys, chairperson of the NG Kerk Memel Vrouediens.

The race participants were a sight to behold! Tall, short, young and not so young were represented and even some in the strangest attire.

Twee Tjops were seen in their swimming briefs, a tall man was intent on pushing a diminutive shopping trolley all the way and there were women dressed in frilly tutus.

The race which was set to begin at 6am was delayed due to low-lying mist. Runners were sent on their way at 6.30 am with a Lee Enfield volley from the Dundee Diehards, who were attired in British army uniforms.

Ever-present and in command of proceeding, was the race organiser Johan Pieters, who ensured all went according to schedule and took time to talk candidly with the Mayor of Newcastle, Makhosini Nkosi, who was there to participate in the race.

Pieters said woman most definitely dominated the event as women from all over South Africa participated in the walk.

He thanked the Ncandu 86 Round Table for ensuring that all water tables had water, coldrink and flags on the race route until all racers had past them.

More than 7000 water sachets and 1600 litres of coldrink were handed out on the day, and he thanked all 22 water tables and traffic officials for the great job they had done on the road.

Pieters said organisers had decided to keep the finish line at Treetops for future races.

“The atmosphere at the finish line was electrifying, and everybody had a great time. We can look forward to August 9, 2018,” he said very proudly.

The results were as follows:

Men’s Division (Runners):

– 1st – Basil Mazibuko – 03:36:22

– 2nd – Sandile Gwede – 03: 43:19

– 3rd – Gerald Khanye – 03:48:11

– 4th – Wiston Mapiye – 03:50:58

– 5th – Bongani Sabelo – 03:57:41

– 6th -Seth Dhlamini – 04:06:20

– 7th – TJ Leopela – 04:07:24

– 8th – Siboniso Khubeka : 04:13:12

– 9th – Sakhile Nkosi – 04:17:45

– 10th – Bongani Ngobese – 04:22:35

Men’s Division (Walkers):

– 1st – Greaterman Thwala – 06:15:37

– 2nd – Sibusiso Ndlovu – 06:27:56

– 3rd – Xolani Sithole – 06:33:12

– 4th – Stephen Msimango – 06:41:14

– 5th – Harry Mac Lean – 06:51:54

– 6th – Sidwell Mhlongo – 07:04:51

– 7th – Kavish Badrinarian – 07:09:29

– 8th – Xolani Hadebe – 07:10: 51

– 9th – Alex Gouws – 07:11:36

– 10th – Shivesh Badrinarian – 07: 13:41

Women’s Division (Runners):

– 1st – Jo Claassen – 05:13:45

– 2nd – Zanele Mbatha – 05:24:14

– 3rd – Sonelle Craffert – 05:40:22

– 4th – Mthabi Dube – 05:42:29

– 5th – Michelle Botes – 05:49:25

– 6th – Zandile Mabaso – 05:53:54

– 7th – Angel Mdluli – 05:55:24

– 8th – Edca van Zuydam – 06:15:16

– 9th – Thandazo Mavusa – 06:21:24

– 10th – Annelie Hiscock – 06:21:29

Women’s Division (Walkers):

– 1st – Estel van den Berg – 07:32:13

– 2nd – Michelle Gleave – 07:35:55

– 3rd – Gorette Pawunkumar – 07:41:33

– 4th – Christine Malan – 07:44: 58

– 5th – Nozipho Nkosi – 07:57:55

– 6th – Mbali Kunene – 08:05:58

– 7th – Marie van Zyl – 08:15:48

– 8th – Adele Venter – 08:15:49

– 9th – Carol Nepgen – 08:16:02

– 10th – Mamello Vilane – 08:18:59

Team Relays (Runners):

– 1st – Newcastle Harriers – 03:57:59

– 2nd -Take a Hike – 04:25:09

– 3rd – Alphapharm – 04:54:37

– 4th – Standerton Wii Not Fit – 05:06:32

– 5th – CA Ras – 05:15:48

– 6th – MJP Gijimas – 05:44:26

– 7th – Lanxess Contractors – 05:53:57

– 8th – Tramonto Team 3: 05:57:43

– 9th – NewActive 4 – 05:57:43

– 10th – Viscious and Delicious – 06:11:35

Team Relays (Walkers):

– 1st – Team NN Telco’s – 05:36:02

– 2nd – Green Mountain – 05:57:55

– 3rd – Hot Boys 3 – 06:06:50

– 4th – NewActive 5 – 06:12:55

– 5th – Tramonto Team 2 – 06:23:08

– 6th – Tramonto Team 1: 06:24:39

– 7th – Amajuba steel – 06:44:26

– 8th – Solfi Team – 06:45:47

– 9th – Lanxess projects – 06:46:59

– 10th – Leaving a Legacy Mariska :06:52:36

Congratulations to all runners, walkers and relay teams who participated! See you in 2018.