Ernst van Dyk claimed victory in the 2018 Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge winning the men’s 42.2km racing chair category in a time of 1h:29:15.
The women’s racing chair category was won by Margaret Banganjena of Zimbabwe in a time of 2h:40:25.
Over 1000 national and international athletes living with disabilities competed in this year’s event in George on Sunday in what was said to be the biggest-ever edition of the annual wheelchair race event.
“Racers tackled a tough new course over the standard marathon and half marathon distances and in the 10km and 5km fun run categories,” according to an official post-race statement.
Competitors came from as far afield as Ghana, Namibia and Zimbabwe.
“On hand to congratulate the athletes at the Toyota Halfway finish line was the Mayor of George, Melvin Naik, Western Cape MEC for Cultural Affairs and Sport, Anroux Marais and representatives from Airports Company South Africa, Senzeni Ndebele, Brenda Vorster and Humbulani Netshieneulu.”
Organisors decided to run the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge on a Sunday because of the lower traffic volumes, the safety of the athletes and less disruption to business.
Acsa’s Ndebele said the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge is a favourite event in the Socio-Economic Development calendar of George Airport.
“The event represents Airports Company South Africa’s commitment to disabled athletes and the cause of mobility,” Ndebele said.
The Airports Company South Africa said it increased its sponsorship to R900 000, from R700 000 in 2017, with George Municipality sponsoring R250 000 towards the race and the Western Cape Department of Cultural Affairs and Sport contributing a further R50 000.
“Our ongoing sponsorship of this event recognises the importance of our airport as an economic enabler while demonstrating our commitment to empowering all the communities that we serve with mobility,” said Airports Company South Africa’s George Airport manager, Brenda Vorster.
The overall prize money awarded to athletes was R258 000.
Results of the Outeniqua Wheelchair Challenge:
Men’s 42.2km
Racing Chair: Ernst van Dyk - 1:29:15
Quads: Pieter du Preez- 1:36:37
Hand Cycle: Stuart McCreadie-1:03:45
Women’s 42.2kms
Racing Chair: Margaret Banganjena- 2:40:25 (Zimbabwe)
Hand Cycle Female Para: Justine Asher- 1:29:57
Men’s 21.1kms
Racing Chair (T53/54): Roodly Gowaseb- 1:10:00 (Namibia)
Racing Chair (T51/52): Spheshile Nzimande- 58:23
Hand Cycle Male Para: Peter West-44:12
Hand Cycle Male Quad: Arthur Abrahamse- 1:44:48
Women’s 21kms
Racing Chair (T53/54): Moleen Majoni-1:31:08
(Statement: Supplied)
Photo: George Herald
