Whale Watching Season Imminent

With autumn drawing to a close and winter almost upon us, there is one thing we can look forward to; the start of whale watching season.

Coffee and Chords

Yesterday evening, 26 May, the St Lucia Community rocked to the sounds of Ian & Ingalore Taylor and Johan Gerber at Vida E Cafe.  The warm evening was ideal for the open air concert which took place around the coffee shop's outside seating area.  As well as the threesome's musical repertoire, the pre-arranged open mic evening meant that three amateur artists - two St Lucians and one from Umfolozi - took to the stage.  The two ladies from St Lucia performed covers of their favourite songs while David from Umfolozi shared some of his own work with the audience.

The band's rendition of timeless classics by artists including The Beatles and Credence Clearwater Revival was thoroughly enjoyed by all, adults and children alike.  A good turnout for the organisers and a festive evening left everyone in good spirits and wondering when the next "coffee and chords" would be held.

iSimangaliso St Lucia Half Marathon 2012

Nydia Brits with the start vuvuzela

In idyllic weather for this annual event, approximately 600 runners and walkers set off from St Lucia's Ski Boat Club, from 8am this morning, on staggered starts for various distance races.

The runners of the 21km half marathon were the first to start, with the oldest competitor of the day, soon-to-be 80 year old Nydia Brits, 'blasting' the start vuvuzela (pictured right). The second start was for the 10km runners and walkers, followed closely by the 5km fun runners and lastly by the kiddies' event, whose race was two laps of the Sugarloaf Campsite.

The kids' start line with support vehicle

 

 

Zululand Multisport Club's George with the Benoni contingent

Organised by the Zululand Multisport Club and hosted by the town of St Lucia and iSimangaliso, the event attracted both local participants and those from further afield. Hillcrest Villagers' registered runners took part, as well as participants from Vryheid and Benoni.  A group of students from Umfolozi School also participated, as a result of their teacher aiming to increase awareness of the plight of South Africa's threatened rhino population.  Some of the proceeds of this event went to the purchase of tracking collars for the rhino population of the iSimangaliso Wetland Park.

The route included St Lucia's famed Igwalagwala Trail, after which refreshments for runners were on hand at the first of the water tables.  Here, on McKenzie Street, Advantage Charters' crew handed out much needed cups of Coke and sachets of energy drinks to participants.

Winner of 21km half marathon

The winner of the 21km half marathon rocketed through the start/finish area after a mere 1hr 7min (pictured right), with the second place runner and first 10km walker close on his heels.

The iSimangaliso St Lucia Half Marathon was a festive occasion and a wonderful day had by participants and spectators alike.  The St Lucia Community welcomes another successful event next year and hopes to make an entire weekend of it by adding cycle races to the itinerary.  Much needed funds were raised for the continued protection of KZN's rhino population and the town welcomed extra visitors for this event, during an otherwise quiet time of year. 

Drug Bust in St Lucia

It has come to light that a white male, thought to be an Australian National, was recently arrested in St Lucia for the possession of drugs.  After the arrest, his case was taken over by the drug unit in Richards Bay and he was sentenced yesterday, 10 May, in a Durban court.  He was ordered to either pay a fine of R10 000 or spend two years in prison.  He paid the fine.

St Lucia iSimangaliso Half Marathon

Follow up to our previous article on the St Lucia iSimangaliso Half Marathon, due to be held on the 20th of May. 

As far as St Lucia News is aware, the registration website (including the proposed route) and registration form are not yet available to all.  iSimangaliso was going to release this information today.  As soon as the official website details and registration forms are released, said information will be published here.