FEEDBACK / JCC BERG RACE – 1 JULY 2017
The JCC Berg training marathon race on flat water from Caravan Park Rapid (Danie Maclean park in Meyerton) took place on 1 July 2017 on a superb winter Highveld day although it becomes windy and chilly once the open spaces on the Vaal river are reached.
The only Female finisher was a novice at her first race, Hanli Bezuidenhout (Centurion) in 2:48 in the Veteran age category as the 9th K1 finisher.
15 K2’s finished the race, as well as 9 K1’s.
The race podiums and top 10 finishers were dominated by the SCARC teams (Soweto) and the race was won by Siyabonga Tyiki and Sibonakaliso Mpunzi in 2 hours 1 minute – they were also the First Under 23 finishers. The 2nd finisher was Siseko Ntondini in 2:02 as the K1 winner, and 3rd was Phineas Zulu (SCARC) a literal second later as 2nd K1. The next finishers were Under 16 winners Zanenhlahla Mbala and Bambo Fanteni (SCARC) in 2:03, and the Under 18 first place finisher in 2:04 was Sibusiso Chwayi in 2:05…..as the 3rd K1 finisher….. PHEW. And that was just the first batch of Sowetan paddlers!
Kobus and Caroline Filmalter (WATUNI( finished as the 3rd K2, and first Mixed Double, as well as first Veterans in 2:08.
The first Great Grand Master finisher was again Frank Dabrowski (DABS) in 2:20, while Gerrie Du Plooy won the Sub Veteran K1 category in 2:31. Jan Leonard and Gerrie Ambrosius (WAT) were the winning Sub Grand master K2 in 2:44.
A lovely training session for all and much appreciated thanks to Johannesburg Canoe Club for organising!!
Jennie Dallas
for GCU PR
082 857 857 1