More than 1 200 runners turned out to support the 31st annual Lake Farm Centre Charity Run, held in Gqeberha on Saturday, despite challenging weather conditions.
The popular fundraiser, hosted by Lake Farm Centre, once again brought together the local running community for a day of competition and charity, with standout performances from Achilles Athletics Club.
Strong performances across race categories
Achilles Athletics Club delivered an exceptional performance on the day, claiming the overall win in the 25km Rolf Kordes Endurance Challenge and securing the top three finishing positions in the 10km race.
Gift Chigomarawa of Achilles Athletics Club won the demanding 25km race in a time of 1:31:51, followed by Khaya Gqwetha of Vukani Running Club, who finished in 1:33:29 and was first in the 40–49 age category. Jeniel Zana of Run4Christ Athletics Club completed the podium in 1:35:10.
In the women’s 25km race, Tracy Campbell of Nedbank Running Club finished first in 1:51:42, also claiming the top spot in the 40–49 age category. Dane Cronje of Charlo Athletics Club finished second, with Abbie Mitchell of Bestmed Athletics Club taking third place.
The 10km race saw Achilles Athletics Club dominate the podium, with Mxoleleni Tabata winning in 34:43, followed by teammates Siyavuya Jeyi in 36:04 and George Ntshiliza in 36:13, who also placed first in the 40–49 age category.
In the women’s 10km race, Ntombesintu Mfunzi of Nedbank Running Club crossed the line first in 45:36, followed by Hester Kingwill of 32Gi Athletics Club and Jaime Alcock of Madiba Running Club.
The overall winner of the 5km event was Asive Solomon.
Tribute to long-time supporter
A special tribute was paid to long-standing sponsor and Achilles athlete Alan Taylor of Bukani Print, who has supported the event for 45 years.
Taylor, who will be emigrating later this year, was honoured at the start of the 10km race and again during the prize-giving ceremony for his decades of commitment to both the event and the Eastern Cape running community.
In an emotional farewell message, Taylor thanked Lake Farm Centre and the runners who have supported the charity over the years.
“To my friends at Lake Farm Centre, I will miss them. They have made me the person that I am today by being involved with charity work,” he said.
“I thank them for that blessing. The Charity Race is in its 31st successful year, and so I bid farewell to everyone. May the running community continue to support Lake Farm Centre.”
Community support drives fundraiser success
Amelia Laubscher, general manager of Lake Farm Centre, said the organisation was thrilled with the turnout.
“We are thrilled with the response this year and would like to thank all the runners, suppliers and sponsors who made this fundraiser possible,” she said.
Laubscher explained that the 25km Endurance Challenge was introduced two years ago in honour of former world-class athlete Rolf Kordes, who often used the Lake Farm route for training runs and is now living with dementia.
“This 25km training run, together with the competitive 10km race and popular 5km walk or run, ensures this charity event caters for everyone,” she added.
Supporting a long-standing Eastern Cape institution
Runners and supporters enjoyed a festive atmosphere at the venue, with the Lake Farm Centre coffee shop offering its well-known bakery and frozen foods, including fresh scones with cream, pancakes and boerewors rolls.
The day concluded with prize giving and lucky draw prizes worth more than R10 000, hosted by Gareth Burley as part of the event’s 31st anniversary celebrations.
This year also marks 66 years of Lake Farm Centre providing a home and workplace for intellectually challenged residents from across the Eastern Cape.
Funds raised through the annual charity run help support the centre’s programmes while raising awareness about the important work it does in the region.
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