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The 2011 Willows Challenge powered by Die Burger and Bay FM takes place at The Willows Resort on Saturday the 26th of November. “We are delighted to team up with Supersport to take this festival of sporting fun to the next level,” said Herman Nell of Madiba Bay Resorts. Mr Nell added that the television coverage not only further confirms the beauty of our natural coastline but that it will also convey Nelson Mandela Bay’s ability to successfully host sporting events that suit various disciplines.

The organizers of the Willows Challenge – Willows Resort, Zports, Achilles and Red Cherry Adventures will stage a 10 & 5km trail run, the Varsity College Mountain Bike Relay Challenge, an Incredible Adventure Race, Potjiekos Competition and a new addition to the event a Kids Mountain Bike Race. All the events take place within the safe picturesque borders of The Willows Resort.

Cool and still weather conditions and the perfect setting for the third Willows Challenge ensured record times for top athletes on Saturday.

George Ntshiliza from Nedbank Running Club won the 10km trail in 32:35 while Elite Athletic Club lady Lizette Sydien won in 44:18. Frikkie Boshoff finished the course in 20:26 winning the 5km fun run.

The 10km attracted 224 participants and there were 343 entries for the 5km.

As part of The Willows Challenge, the event included the Amazing Race hosted by Red Cherry Adventures which was won by Trek Thermoforming in just under three hours. The Dimension Data team was just behind in 2nd place with their Di Data colleagues in 3rd.

The PERCCI potjiekos competition was won by Metrofile with King Edward Hotel in second and Ahoy Boutique Hotel in third place. One of the judges and owners of the South African Restaurant in Newton Park Etienne Calitz said that he was astounded at the attention to detail displayed by the contestants.

New to the arena at the event included the Varsity College Mountain Bike Corporate Challenge that was won by Johan Britz and Calvin Bruce who completed nineteen 4.3km laps in the allocated 4 hour enduro

Okkert Brits, former World Pole Vault champion and more recently of Survivor fame, will be taking part in the Varsity College Mountain Bike Corporate Challenge on Saturday the 20th of November. Okkert together with former South African Javelin Champion Philip Spies and Colin Mentzel will be part of the Profiles Health and Fitness Club team.

Open to all cyclists, the Corporate Challenge is set to pit mountain bike enthusiasts against their colleagues in a fun and exciting relay style race over 4 hours within secure picturesque confines of The Willows Resort. Relay teams may comprise of two or three cyclists.

"We've decided to introduce the Varsity College MTB event onto the program as it offers social cyclists the opportunity to get involved in a mountain bike race with their colleagues, partners or friends," said race organiser Mike Zoetmulder of Zports. "A moderate to easy cycle course of 5km's has been set and the teams will cycle as many laps as possible within the allocated 4 hours, with just one team member on the course at any one stage."

Entry will be just R200 per team and online entries are encouraged on www.willows-challenge.co.za. The team which completes the most laps in the 4 hours and has the fastest last lap will win R1,000 cash and a floating trophy. Darling fruit juice will quench the cyclists thirst in the transition area whilst Triangle Sports will be on stand-by to help with any technical problems.

This event is part of the exciting 2010 Willows Challenge which includes a 10km & 5km trail, a potjiekos competition and an amazing race.

A host of spectacular sporting activities will form part of The Willows Challenge to be held this Saturday. There will be a number of separate events including a 10km and 5km trail, an amazing race, a mountain bike corporate challenge and a potjiekos competition all taking place within the secure and picturesque confines of the resort.

Scheduled in the activities includes scuba and snorkeling clinics hosted by Ocean Divers International. “Join our well trained and professional staff, who will gladly provide you with a Discover Scuba and Snorkeling Experience at the tidal pool in Willows between 10h00am and 13h00,” said Sharon Clark from ODI.

A subertube, mechanical bull and jumping castles will be on hand to entertain children. Spectators and participants will be able to purchase food and refreshments from the MTR Smit Coffee shop and rugby lovers can enjoy the SA vs Scotland game in the beer garden on the big screen.

Eastern Province road running legend Treloar Childs will be taking on The Willows Challenge at the Willows Resort on Port Elizabeth’s Wild Side on Saturday the 20th of November.

Treloar is a five-time elite National Biathle winner, five-time National Duathlon Champion and two-time Biathle World Champion. She is also a multiple Eastern Province champion and will be lining up alongside her mother Isabella at this year’s 10km event. “My Mum and I come from two different running spectrums but at the end of the day we both go out there because we meet new people and we enjoy the fresh air. The Willows Challenge is unique as it takes place in the safe confines of the Willows Resort and the idyllic Indian Ocean setting is an additional draw card,” said Treloar.

One of Treloar’s many career highlights includes her personal best of 34 minutes and 34 seconds in a 10km event. She gets her passion for running from her father Nicol Childs who was a 7 times EP cross country champion. “There is more to running than making money it is part of my life and I run because of the joy of it and to see the world,” added Treloar.

The Willows Challenge 10 & 5km trail hosted by Achilles is open to runners and walkers and take place on a grass and gravel track within the resort.

Besides the trail events, organizers have also included the Varsity College Mountain Bike Corporate Challenge, Red Cherry Adventures Amazing Race and the PERCCI potjiekos competition.

For more information contact Carol-Anne Cash on 084 502 3300.