GREG WILMOT
Scores of runners set off from the PJ Olivier High School, Makhanda, start for 50km, 30km, 15km, 8km and 3km distances in the 2025 Oldenburgia Trail Run hosted by the Rotary Club of Grahamstown Sunset on Saturday November 1. 131 runners participated across the five different distances.
The real growth-point was the 30km race with 34 entries which was a huge leap up in numbers from previous years, Fifty eight runners participated in the 8km and 3km races which utilised the new pedestrian bridge over the stream above Grey Dam built by Luc Marechal from Rotary Grahamstown Sunset ahead of the trail running event.
A huge logistical effort from multiple corners of the community contributed to the event being key to the success of the event.
Special thanks to Kerry and Neil Currie and Mel van der Schyf from Oasis Water (Makhanda) for trail marking, supplying Water Tables, prizes, timing system, and innumerable tasks that elevated the runner’s experience of the unique fauna and flora.
The eight 50km entrants were well cared for by Gillian McGregor and Keith James at Craig Doone where the climb up to Misty Woods on the highlands road added a tough extra climb over the longer distance.
At the prize giving ceremony, Gillian McGregor, a Lecturer in the Geography Department at Rhodes University was awarded the Roger Roswell Award for her outstanding contribution to conservation, education, and for organising student projects and supporting volunteer programmes that target the clearing of invasive alien plants.
Sole Sisters donated R35 000 to the For the Love of the Mountain (FLOM) project that is
convened by Rotary Grahamstown Sunset. The funds will go towards future alien vegetation clearing, trail development and conservation education.
In addition to Volo Vikings, Bathurst Athletic Club and Kowie Striders, the Albany Runners Club was well represented across several races. To support their runner development program, the Albany Runners made a collection of running shoes from donations. By the end of the event, the bin was nearly overflowing.
Marshalls, volunteers, medical support, and water tables were essential to the runner’s great experience. They were supplied with water, juice, biltong, treats, and good vibes from Solule Events, Just Property Grahamstown, and CrossFit. Special thanks to PJ Olivier for the use of their facilities and grounds for the event.
The running event also Included a market with local produce, treats, crafts, and more that was organised by Angelea Gunkel (The Castle Market); a free yoga session from the Wellness Collective; and vehicle displays by Len’s Auto, Settler City Toyota, and Kelston Motor Group. Participants and attendees were well supplied with coffee and ice-cream from Major Frasers and Rotary Grahamstown provided their world-famous Kudu Burgers and breakfast buns.
Stand-out results:
Men’s 50km
1st Mark Crandon: 07:10:04
2nd Tonderai Musarurwa: 07:23:50
3rd Matt Duggan: 07:30:37
The lead trio were running together for the majority of the race before Mark Crandon put the hammer down on the penultimate leg to win. A very closely contested race with wonderful energy and mutual support up and down the gruelling ascents and technical paths on tiring legs.
Men’s 30km
Andrew Mieklejohn: 02:42:31
Andrew finished in a remarkable new record time across steep, technical terrain, knocking off nearly an hour on the previous route regardless of ‘rolled ankle’ still 10km out from the finish. The Oldenburgia hills are his training backyard and
ideal preparation for the upcoming SkyRun in two weeks time. We wish him well and a strong race in Lady Grey.
Women’s 30km
Kate Arnold: 03:43:22
Kate set a quick time in the women’s the 30km, laying down a challenge to future competitors across this distance Anneline Pienaar finished 13 minutes behind, followed by Hannah Broad
just 3 minutes later. A closely contested race in a race distance that has grown significantly in popularity at this event.
Men’s 8km
Trevor Shuttleworth (Albany Runners): 00:37:03
Siphamandla Yiliwe (Albany Runners): 00:37:37
Amidst all the other closely contested races, the closest event was the Men’s 8km where just 34 seconds separated two entrants from the Makhanda-based Albany Runners club.
Women’s 8km
Abigail Holderness: 00:43:44
Special mention to Abigail Holderness from DSG for a very fast time across the 8km course. The route took in the Just Property water point at the Toposcope and a rugged descent down to Grey Dam and over the newly built bridge.
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Greg Wilmot is one of the organisers of the Oldenburgia Trail Run, an annual event on Makhanda’s Mountain Drive.
- This article was first published in Talk of the Town, November 6, 2025. The newspaper serving the communities of Ndlambe and the Sunshine Coast, with a weekly wrap of Makhanda news, is available at stores from early on Thursdays
