Lake Farm Centre celebrated the 31st edition of their annual Charity Run on Saturday with strong participation in challenging weather conditions.

Achilles Athletics Club had an exceptional performance, scooping first man home for the 25km Rolf Kordes Endurance Challenge and the top three finishers in the 10km.
Longstanding sponsor and Achilles club athlete, Alan Taylor of Bukani Print, received a special tribute from Lake Farm Centre both at the start of the 10km and at the prize giving to thank him for 45 years of generous support.  Alan, who will be emigrating later this year, will be deeply missed as the passionate runner with a huge heart. The running community applauded Taylor for the massive contribution he has made to athletics in the Eastern Cape.

Alan paid tribute to Lake Farm Centre with an emotional farewell message to the running community.
“To my friends at Lake Farm Centre, I will miss them, they have made me the person that I am today, being involved with charity work.  
“I thank them for that blessing. 
“The Charity Race is in its 31st successful year, and so I bid farewell to everyone, and may the running community continue to support Lake Farm Centre.”

Over 1200 runners chose to support the popular Charity runs which is proudly sponsored by Team Rolf Kordes, Bukani Print, Investec, and Kingfisher FM.

“We are thrilled with the response this year, and would like to thank all the runners, suppliers and sponsors who made this fundraiser possible,” said Lake Farm Centre General Manager, Amelia Laubscher.
“Lake Farm Centre continued the 25km Endurance Challenge which was launched two years ago to honour Rolf Kordes, local former world class athlete, who used this Lake Farm 25km route for most of his training runs but is now coping with dementia. 
“This 25km training run together with the competitive 10km run and popular 5km walk/run ensured that this charity event catered for everyone,” added Laubscher. 

Runners, and their friends and families, enjoyed Lake Farm Centre’s famous Coffee Shop’s bakery and frozen foods, including their popular fresh scones & cream, pancakes and boerewors rolls. 

The Saturday races were rounded up by Gareth Burley, with the official prize giving and lucky draw prizes valued at over R10 000 to celebrate the fundraiser’s 31st anniversary.

Gift Chigomarawa of Achilles athletics club, won the 25km in a time of 1.31.51, followed by Khaya Gqwetha of Vukani running club, who was first in his 40-49 age category in 1.33.29. Jeniel Zana of Run4Christ athletics club, finished in third position in 1.35.10.

Tracy Campbell, of Nedbank running club, was the first woman home in the 25km, and first in her 40-49 age category, in an excellent time of 1.51.42. Dane Cronje, of Charlo athletics club, finished second in 1.51.42, with Abbie Mitchell of Bestmed, in third position in a time of 1.54.36.

Mxoleleni Tabata of Achilles athletics club, flew home to finish the 10km run in a time of 0.34.43, followed by teammates, Siyavuya Jeyi, in second position, in 0.36.04, with George Ntshiliza, finishing third and first in his 40-49 age category, in 0.36.13.  

Ntombesintu Mfunzi of Nedbank running club, finished first in the 10km, and her 40-49 age category, in a time of 0.45.36.  Hester Kingwill, of 32Gi Athletics club, was in second position in 49.55, closely followed by Jaime Alcock of Madiba in third position in a time of 50.00.

Asive Solomon was the overall winner of the 5km.

This year the Lake Farm Centre celebrates 66 years of providing a loving home and workplace for intellectually challenged residents from the Eastern Cape.  The goal of the Charity Run is to raise much-needed funds and create awareness for Lake Farm Centre.

Lake Farm Centre would like to thank all the visitors this past weekend for making a substantial difference with their fundraising support.