Transnet end Gamble's dream run

A DETERMINED team of runners from the Transnet Engineering division spoilt the party for the Gamble Pharmacy team at the final round of the Investec Night Relay at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium after a spirited race to the end.

Having dominated the Series over the past three years, the young Gamble Pharmacy team were hoping for their third win out of four starts this season but saw their dreams dashed on Thursday in the last of the 5km laps.

With the lead changing several times, it was Transnet's Melikhaya Frans who pulled out all the stops by completing his 5km lap in a time of 15 minutes 13 seconds to ensure his team's overall victory in a time of 1:17:11 over the 25km distance.

Gamble Pharmacy finished just 35 seconds later, with their B team in third place a further seven minutes back.

"I've done a couple of the Night Relay races this year and really enjoy the course as it's fast and not too tough," the 22-year-old Frans said.

"It was an exciting race as I set off last for my team and was about 30 seconds behind the leading team runner, but managed to catch and overtake him within the first kilometre."

It was Transnet's second win of the year and it was made all the sweeter with their second team winning the mixed teams category from Investec 1 and Spar EC 2, while the women's category was won by Aquabear Ladies ahead of Investec 8 and Wimpy.

In the walking category, Bluewater Bay Athletics finished the season unbeaten with four wins from four starts. They won in a time of 1:28:18, ahead of The Pagdenites and the young team from Artwork for Youth.