Moseu reigns at Johnson Crane
The 33rd Johnson Crane Marathon took place on Sunday.
Road runners turned out in their thousands to take on the ever-popular Johnson Crane Marathon, organised by Benoni Harriers Athletics Club, at the Old Bens Sports Grounds, on Sunday, January 25.
Clear skies and warm temperatures greeted the hoards of runners on the morning of the 33rd edition of the race, and there was fierce competition among those in the 42.2km marathon, 21.1km half-marathon and the new Central Gauteng Athletics 10km Championship.
A 5km fun run also attracted a number of runners who were just looking to enjoy themselves on the road.
While most runners enjoy the route due to its flat nature it still proved to be particularly challenging, with hot morning temperatures.
It was Gauteng Striders’ Tshidiso Bosiu who was the first man home in the 42.2km marathon.
The 32-year-old, a former City 2 City Marathon winner, finished the main race in a time of two hours, 22 minutes and 54 seconds (one minute and 35 seconds short of the Ludwick Mamobolo’s course record).
He was followed by top veteran finisher and Mr Price runner Charles Tijane, who managed a time of two hours, 24 minutes and 58 seconds.
Fitness From Africa Athletics Club runner Rofhiwa Mathidi rounded off the top three men’s places in the marathon.
Commenting on his winning finish, Bosiu, who used the race as preparation for the Two Oceans Marathon, said: “I was going alright up until 33km, when I started feeling pain and stomach cramps.
“I was here for the course record, but, unfortunately, it was not to be.
“When the body says no it says no,” he added.
“I like this race a lot and you can bet I will be back next year, for that record.”
In the women’s category of the marathon, it was Born 2 Run Athletics Club athlete Yolande Maclean who absolutely shattered the women’s record in a time of two hours, 46 minutes and 55 seconds.
The 36-year-old finished in blitz-quick time to overthrow the record of two hours, 50 minutes and 13 seconds, set by Ethiopian runner Alemtsehay Haily, in last year’s race.
Of her display, Maclean said: “I pushed it hard in the first part of the race and just hung in there in the second part.
“The route was flat, but extremely difficult.”
Boxer Athletics Club runner Desmond Mokgobu was first home in the 21.1km half-marathon, with a finishing time of one hour, four minutes and 46 seconds, while Nedbank Running Club’s Irvette van Zyl was the first woman home in the 21.1km, in a time of one hour, 14 minutes and 48 seconds.
Race organiser and chairman of Benoni Harriers Athletics Club Ashvin Jivan said the event was again a huge success, with a large number of runners and spectators in attendance.
The attendance numbers were not certain at the time of going to press, but he estimated the total number of people at Old Bens on the day at on 15 000.
“In terms of traffic issues, we had few interruptions, as it appears that most people are aware of the race and affected roads,” he said.
“We did have some issues with one or two people getting frustrated about congestion in and around the venue, although that did not last a long time.”
Jivan added that, in terms of preparation and delivery of the race, the organisers managed to ensure a successful event.
“In general, everything went well and we will definitely hold it again next year,” he said.
“It is fast becoming a flagship race for Ekurhuleni.”
Results are available here.
PrizeWinnersFinal (42.2km)
PrizeWinnersFinal2 (21.1km)
10km (CGA Championships):
Men:
Open: 1 Stephen Mokoka (Transnet) 28:00; 2 Derocious Makhobalo (Nedbank) 29:09; 3 Philimon Mathiba (Elim) 29:12
Veterans: 1 Simon Mpholo (Nedbank) 30:20; 2 Justanus Gantsi (Maxed Elite) 31:59
Masters: 1 Themba Phulu (Panorama) 36:39
Grandmasters: 1 Willie Maisela (Boksburg) 40:29
Juniors: 1 Kabelo Melamu (Randmark) 30:19; 2 William Potgieter (Runavation) 31:31; 3 Johannes Redaba (Benoni Harriers) 33:59
Walkers: 1 Mthunzi Mnisi (Wanderers) 46:17; 2 Thando Lumkwana (Real Gijimas) 47:24; 3 Pierre Vermaak (UJ) 48:07
Women:
Open: 1 Lebo Phalula (Temp) 33:06; 2 Cornelia Joubert (Nedbank) 34:59; 3 Samukeliso Moyo (Maxed Elite) 37:33
Veterans: 1 Samukeliso Moyo (Maxed Elite) 37:33; 2 Thuli Mbatha (Kathlehong) 40:09
Masters: 1 Rene Strydom (Randburg Harriers) 42:27
Grandmasters: 1 Deidre Larkin (Randburg Harriers) 61:12
Juniors: 1 Puseletso Dieta (Global Natural) 40:23; 2 Cian Oldknow (FFA) 41:03; 3 Kelebogile Moreo (Boksburg) 42:21
Walkers: 1 Udelle de Winnaar (Nedbank) 53:53; 2 Nthatisi Mokhele (GS) 57:14; 3 Lesley van Buuren (Wanderers) 58:06
