The charge of the Gauteng paddlers at the 50 Miler Lettie Paddle Canoe race which took place on 6 and 7 December, on the Dusi river through the Dusi valley from Pietermaritzburg to Inanda Dam, a distance of some 80km was led by Loveday Zondi who finished in 3h55, as the 7ths K1, followed seconds later by young Under 23 Thando Ngamlana – both members of the Soweto Canoe & Recreation Club racing team, sponsored by Adreach, Business Connexion, Eurosteel and a number of corporates!
Zonele Nzuza was 11th ten minutes after them, with Nkosi Mzolo coming in 28th in 4:05, with over 400 paddlers in the race, 238 K1’s, our young development paddlers carried the flag for the mightiest province of SA! Tom Ngcobo finished 37th in 1:53, with Under 18 Siyabonga Tyiki one minute later as 6th in his age group while the previously advantaged elite were led by Ant Bown, 63rd in 4:25 5th Subvet (Dabs)…..!
Richard Cele (VIC) finished 65th, with Jarryd Breeds (ERK) 68th, Anthony Baird (LOW) 71st with Thulani Ngamlana (SOW) 72nd. Michael and Liam Stewart (ERK) were 3rd K2 in 4:38, 86th overall, with brother sister mixed double Gavin and Kerry Shuter finishing as 4th K2, in 87th position, bringing us up to the top 100 finishers although Kelvin Byres (Dabs) Sipho Qoko (SOW) and Serge van hee (FLCC) brought intthe last single K1’s to 978th and 98th position in 4.26. 4:44 and 4:45.
A quick glance at the rest of the results didn’t show any notably impressive results jumping out at me, no podium positions worthy of a mention, however congratulations to our lady finishers Jane Swarbreck and Alexandra Jensen (Dabs), who both finished this tough adventure race, as 15th and 21st ladies, in 5:26 and 6:28 respectively, overall positions 165 and 221.
Enjoy the festive season, holiday period but don’t forget to train as the New Year brings us the ERK Dusi Training race, the EuroSteel Highveld Croc seeding race and the Dusi in February!!
Download Race Results HERE
Jennie Dallas
For GCU PR
0828578571