Top local runner Luthando Hejana blew his rivals away in extremely windy conditions to win the inaugural SPAR Family Challenge 10km road race in East London on Saturday.

Despite battling wind speeds in excess of 40km per hour, the Born 2 Run athlete charged into the finish line at the Beaconhurst School fields in Beacon Bay in a time of 39:27.

He finished more than two minutes clear of nearest challenger Nkosinathi Hadebe of Oxford Striders (41:31).

Hejana’s teammate Doran Fritz crossed the line a further 13 seconds back to round out the podium for the club.

Hejana, who won the Buffalo half-marathon and 10km Surfers Challenge earlier this year, made a strong start with the wind at his back.

He opened up a gap of 600m within the first few kilometres but lost valuable time when he was forced to double back after missing the exit from the 2km beach section near Bonza Bay.

The Mdantsane runner was caught by the two chasing athletes but quickly turned up the heat once more on the tar to show Hadebe and Fritz a clean pair of heels.

Hejana stayed away on his own in spite of the headwind for the second half of the race to take a comfortable victory and etch his name in the annals of the event.

Fellow Born 2 Run athlete Stephanie Smith claimed a convincing six-minute win in the women’s race.

She was followed home by Namasibionga Plentu in 47:26, with Joey van Zyl third in 51:03.

“That was the hardest 10km ever,” said Nahoon resident Smith.

“Between the wind and running on the sand and the hill climb, it was really tough.”

In the 5km race, the men’s honours went to Mbuyiseli Mema of Overtakers Sports Club in 20:12, while Giselle Pauls of Oxford Striders was the first woman home in 27:01.

RESULTS:

10km Men
1. Luthando Hejana 39:27
2. Nkosinathi Hadebe 41:31
3. Doran Fritz 41:44

10km Women
1. Stephanie Smith 46:18
2. Namasibionga Plentu 47:26
3. Joey van Zyl 51:03

5km Men
1. Mbuyiseli Mema 20:12
2. Davion Leon 21:28
3. Clint Gertze 21:55

10km Women
1. Giselle Pauls 27:01
2. Katharina Linke 27:12
3. Cristin Flynn 27:27
Luthando Hejana

Born 2 Run athlete Luthando Hejana from Mdantsane won the inaugural SPAR Family Challenge 10km road race in East London on Saturday. Photo: Dean Venish

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SPAR Eastern Cape