Gamble Pharmacy team upstaged in Night Relay

The Series, open to walking and running teams, is all about fun and building the office spirit during winter as witnessed by the team from Bridgestone.Photo:SUPPLIED

THERE was great excitement at Nelson Mandela Bay’s unique Town Lodge Business Night Relay on June 11, when defending champions Gamble Pharmacy were defeated for the first time since 2014.

The warm winter evening resulted in fast times with SPAR Eastern Cape DC Men pulling out all the stops to see their last runner pulling ahead and crossing the line first, in a time of 56 minutes 59 seconds, just 12 seconds ahead of the Gamble Pharmacy team, which hadn’t lost a Night Relay race since the end of the 2014 season. This is only their fourth loss since the inception of the Series in 2011.

The team from Motor Vehicle Spares, in their first race of the season, finished third in a time of one hour 12 minutes.

SPAR EC also dominated the ladies’ race, winning in one hour 18 minutes, ahead of the girls from Friedman Scheckter Crusaders and PWC Excelerators.

Gamble 2 won the mixed category ahead of Teambok Alpha and Varsity College 2.

In the keenly contested walking category, it was the team from Concord Cranes that won, in a time of one hour 18 minutes, ahead of ETA College PE 1 and ETA College PE 2.

SPAR Men’s team upstaged Gamble Pharmacy Men for the first time in several years on the Town Lodge Night Relay on Tuesday night. Photo:SUPPLIED

“Despite several companies not being able to field their teams due to illness, we saw another great turnout and an electric atmosphere at the stadium, with Resound offering some terrific music and Score Energy Drink the post race hydration,” said Zsports marketing manager, Niel du Preez.

The series offers a fantastic training opportunity for companies wanting to take part in the upcoming Train Race on August 18 and teams also get to enjoy one of the most exciting lucky draw prize-giving ceremonies around when each race night they stand a chance of winning fantastic lucky draw prizes with a combined value of over R15 000.

The Town Lodge Business Night Relay takes place on the second Tuesday of the month, with the next round taking place on July 9 and entries are already open on the website.

Running teams are to comprise five runners, while walking teams are for three walkers, with each team member having to complete a 3.5km loop within the stadium precinct.

For more info, results and photos, visit www.zsports.co.za/nightrelay.