There were winners galore in the Dragonfly Tri Freedom Day Run held at Capaia Wine Farm on Freedom Day, with Durbanville’s Nicole Waldick winning the 10km ladies section.
Organised by adventure enthusiasts, Dragonfly Tri in partnership with Cape Town Active, the Freedom Day Run on 27 April attracted close to 200 athletes of all ages and skills and was held at the historic Capaia Trails.
With a running time of 43:48:311, Waldick was the first to cross the finish line in a race that boasted perennial competitor and fan-favourite Grietje Zakariah-Cappuyns.
“It’s amazing,” said Waldick after her win. “Thank you so much to the organisers because it’s such a well-organised event. Such a fun course to run; up the hills, then around the vineyards and to come back and finish with the hill that’s coming up here, quite tough but I really enjoyed it. It’s also nice to come out on Freedom Day and celebrate health.
Waldick added that what made her win even sweeter was that it was unexpected.
“I’m happy to finish first because I wasn’t even expecting it. I haven’t been training as I should and I took this race as a benchmark to see where I am and how I should start training again. But I’m quite happy with my time. I worked in Namibia for a while but I came back and I’m so glad I’m back because I missed all this.”
Coming in on second place with a time of 49:35:980 was Rondebosch’s Jessica Ashley-Cooper while the veteran Zakariah-Cappuyns’ time of 50:34:534 was quick enough to guarantee her another podium finish in this Dragonfly Tri series.
Winning the men’s section of the 10km race was Brendon Leaks with Teboho Stone and Thamsanqa Tshazibana coming in second and third, respectively.
The 5km race was just as exciting as 22-year old Tereza Enslin raced clear of the closest duo of Caytlin Kruger and Alida Brink. In the men’s 5km race, it was Brackenfell’s Herman Rossouw who took the first spot after running a time of 19:40:381 while Zain Van Zyl and Mikail Govin also from the Northern Suburbs followed in second and third positions.
“It’s such an honour to come out here and celebrate Freedom Day this way,” said Rossouw, “Cape Town has so much to offer and we should all embrace it and enjoy it. It was a tough race but I enjoyed it. There are good runners out here and this is a good way to meet new friends and enjoy life.”
Edited by Nicklaus Kruger
