The Cape Recife High School fields, which hosted the start and finish of the race, were painted pink with a wide expanse of branding from Discovery Vitality lining the start and finish chutes.

The runners enjoyed the festive atmosphere with Virgin Active providing a fun warm-down zone, loads of generous lucky draw prizes, and the Team Vitality members enjoyed the post-race hospitality snacks at the Team Vitality hospitality area.

Jonathan Mundell, the race director from host running club, 32Gi, was very satisfied with the continued strong local support of the event for all three timed distances, 5km, 10km and 21km.

“We want to thank the running community for their continued loyal support this year, from the beginner walkers to those looking to improve their personal bests, this event really caters for everyone.

“The only way to achieve success is to work with a committed team, the 32Gi running club members pulled together to achieve an incredible event.

“We would like to extend our special thanks to our presenting partner, Discovery Vitality, and our prize sponsors.

“We look forward to an even bigger turnout of runners next year!” added Mundell.

Nedbank running club had a clean sweep of winners with Andile Motwana winning the 21km in 1.09.19; Refeloe Solomons winning her age category, 40-49, and the first overall woman to finish the 21km in 1.27.12.

Nedbank running club also scooped the top three positions in the men’s 10km with Sibahle Maqwara winning the 10km in 0.33.00, followed by Zolani Mabongo in second place, and winning his 35-39 age category, in 0.34.23 and Asonge Mthana, in third position, and winning the junior age category, in 0.34.56.

In the men’s 21km race, winner Andile, who finished second in 2024, attributed his win to a change in his training plan this year to include speed sessions for shorter distances, which he believed gave him the edge to win the race this year.

Ross Barnard, of Hollywood Athletics club, finished in second position in 1.09.48, followed by Khaya Gqwetha, of Vukani Multi Sport club, in third place in 1.14.17.

In the women’s 21km, Refeloe, who defended her 2024 title, and improved her winning time by 16 seconds, was very happy with her race.

“My legs were initially tired after competing in the Great Kei Marathon last weekend, but I quickly recharged and ran sub 4km with a final hard push from the 19km mark to win the race,” explained Solomons.

Leigh Callaghan, of Achilles Athletics Club, finished in second position in 1.27.32, with Abbie Mitchell, of Madibaz, in third place in 1.31.12.

In the women’s 10km, Bianca Meistre, of 32Gi running club, was the first to finish in 0.39.42, and first in her 40-49 age category. Ntombesintu Mfunzi, of Nedbank running club, who won the race last year, finished second in 0.41.28. She was followed by Lindi Georgiou, of Body Concept running club, in third position, in 0.41.30.

The 5km men’s race was won by Sizwe Khumalo, of Madibaz, in 19.34.10 and Kirsty Weir, of Madibaz, was the first woman to finish the 5km.