UKZN athletes take on Durban Runner Challenge

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The Durban Runner Challenge, hosted by the Durban Runner Athletics Club and UKZN, attracted about 1 200 participants who took part in either the 21.km or 10km race.

Starting behind Howard College’s sports field in Lamont Road, the runners made their way through the suburbs of Glenmore, Umbilo and Glenwood and finished at UKZN V1 soccer field at Howard College.

Senior Sport Officer for Howard College and the Medical School, Mr Ayanda Ndlovu, said the event would assist in cementing a sustainable relationship between the two clubs.

‘UKZN runners are now welcome to take part in Durban Runner club runs and training sessions which are led by an experienced coach. This will assist our athletes receive quality training at no additional cost to them whether they are training to run their first or fastest park run or anything up to qualifying for Comrades,’ said Ndlovu.

Ndlovu congratulated all the UKZN runners, especially Mr Nhlanhla Nzama who made it into the top 10 in the 21.1km race.

The UKZN Runners Club is in talks with the University about hosting a UKZN night race and a campus to campus 10km, 21.1km and 42.2km Comrades qualifier.

Ndlovu, who is reading for a Masters in Leadership Studies at UKZN, was part of the local organising committee in which he gained valuable experience in organising a road race.

Eight athletes from the University competed in the race:

Position	Name	Gender	Club	Event	Event Time
8	Nhlanhla Nzama	Male	UKZN AC	21.1 KM Run	01:18:00
57	Nkanyiso Khwela	Male	UKZN AC	21.1 KM Run	01:43:02
136	France Zuma	Male	UKZN AC	21.1 KM Run	01:55:15
165	Sanele Gumede	Male	UKZN AC	21.1 KM Run	01:58:33
186	Meluleki Ngwenya	Male		21.1 KM Run	02:00:35
293	Zanele Bohlela	Female	UKZN AC	21.1 KM Run	02:13:17
356	Thembekile Simelane	Female	UKZN AC	21.1 KM Run	02:23:53
332	Sinenhlanhla Nxumalo	Female	UKZN AC	10 KM	01:26:36

UKZN was involved in the race marketing strategy including branding on the race flyer, branding at the race (start, route and finish), and manning of a water station at the 5km point on race day. All UKZN AC runners were given free entry into the race at no cost to them or the club.

‘The wider student, staff and alumnus population are invited to join the UKZN Athletics Club which caters for Track and Field, Cross Country and Road Running,’ said Ndlovu. ‘The club caters for runners from recreational beginners to competitive elite in distances from park runs (5km) to ultra-marathons.

‘Those who want to just jog with the aim of managing their weight, health reasons or deal with stress are also welcome,’ he said.

Raylene Captain-Hasthibeer