Night runners race down runway
Date: 21 October 2010
By Dean Wingrin
A fun run with a difference was held last night: a night race around an operational airforce base.
The Silver Queen Night Race is a 10 km road race and 5 km fun run/walk around the apron and along the runway of AFB Ysterplaat. This very unique annual race is organised by Defence Athletics Club and Western Province Athletics, with the support of AFB Ysterplaat.
The Night Race commemorates the epic flight from England to Cape Town by two South African pilots, Pierre van Rhyneveld and Quentin Brand, in 1920. The inaugaral race was held since 2007 and has become a much anticipated event on the annual road race calander.
Hundreds of runners from across Cape Town converged in Hanger 5 to register and start the race at 6.30pm. Under a beaughtiful Cape Town twilight sky, the runners raced (or walked) along the apron next to 75 year old Dakota aircraft and down the runway.
All paricipants and spectators enjoyed the event, but the writter would have liked to have seen more aircraft on display!
