Runners rule on new route

The race, organised by Benoni Harriers Athletics Club, had, according to race organiser Ashvin Jivan, outgrown its former home at Old Benonians Sports Club and the move to another venue was necessary to improve the parking facilities and traffic congestion before and after the race.

Jivan told the City Times that setting up a new route and a new venue was a huge task, but the invaluable support from all role-players, including the public at large, was vital to ensuring the successful running of the 2016 version of the Johnson Crane Marathon.

He reserved special mention for Norrie Williamson, an International Association of Athletics Federation (IAAF) technical official and experienced Comrades runner, who was instrumental in creating a new route layout and obtaining approval of the route.

Jivan also thanked his Benoni Harriers team for ensuring a well run event, as well as the Eastern Cricket Union for allowing the use of the facilities.

“We have established a good relationship and I look forward to many more successful events at the venue,” he said.

The organiser added that, overall, the feedback from the running community was tremendous and that the majority of participants gave the new route and venue a big thumbs up.

From a running point of view, it was Maxed Elite veteran runner Charles Tijane (two-time Comrades gold medallist) who crossed the finish line as the winner of the main 42.2km marathon.

He stormed home in a time of two hours, 23 minutes and 46 seconds, to claim first position.

Tijane was followed in second place by 2012 Comrades winner and Nedbank runner Ludwick Mamabolo, who achieved a time of two hours, 25 minutes and 25 seconds.

Samuel Mashishi, of Fitness From Africa, rounded off the Top Three in a time of two hours, 26 minutes and 19 seconds.

Nedbank Running Club’s Charné Bosman, who finished in second place among the women at last year’s Comrades, ensured that it was a veteran double win in both the men’s and women’s 42.2km race, when she won the women’s marathon in a time of two hours, 48 minutes and 52 seconds.

She was followed by Risper Kimaiyo (also Nedbank) in two hours, 52 minutes and five seconds, while Julanie Basson (Born 2 Run) wrapped up the Top Three women in a time of three hours, five minutes and 23 seconds.

In the 21.1km men’s open race it was Boxer runner Lucky Mohale who crossed the line as the victor in a time of 66 minutes and 46 seconds.

He was followed by Colossus runner Tisetso Ramokheseng (67 minutes and six seconds) in second spot and Africa Mailola, who won the 2014 Johnson Crane 42.2km, in third position (67 minutes and seven seconds).

Olympic marathon hopeful Irvette van Zyl, returning to the road from pregnancy, achieved a brilliant time of 72 minutes and eight seconds to win the women’s open 21.1km race.

She was followed by KMPG’s Christine Kalmer (81 minutets and 27 seconds) and last year’s women’s marathon winner Yolande Maclean, of Born 2 Run (85 minutes and 36 seconds), in third.

Boxer athlete Desmond Mokgobu set a new course record in the 10km men’s open race with a blitz quick time of 29 minutes and 44 seconds, while KPMG’s Kenilwe Sesing won the 10km women’s open race in a time of 35 minutes and 34 seconds.

Full results are:

10km:

Men: Open: 1 Desmond Mokgobu (Boxer) 29:44, 2 Moses Kiptoo (Nedbank) 30:07, 3 Lebogang Masilo (Nedbank) 30:28. Veterans: 1 Shadrack Hoff (Individual) 31:19, 2 Justinas Gantsi (Ampa) 31:51. Masters: 1 Tony Silva (BCC) 36:22. Grandmasters: 1 Andre Jansen (GS) 39:19. Juniors: 1 Kabelo Melamu (Randmark) 30:34, 2 Ntandazo Xaba (Paradise) 33:48, 3 Wiseman Sibiya (Benoni Harriers) 34:28. Walkers: 1 Tumisanh Pule (RAC) 47:44, 2 Lebeauf von Benecke (RWFL) 51:10, 3 Thompson Magagane (Nedbank) 52:21. Women: Open: 1 Kenilwe Sesing (KPMG) 35:34, 2 Mpho Mabuza (Gallopers) 36:45, 3 Jeanette McKenzie (Nedbank) 38:06. Veterans: 1 Marlise Vermaak (Kempton) 41:05, 2 Melanie Jennett (Fourways) 41:59. Masters: 1 Jackie Frey (Khosa) 46:41. Grandmasters: 1 Sonja Laxton (RAC) 49:13. Juniors: 1 Puseletso Dieta (Simunye) 39:53, 2 Rachel Leistra (UJ) 41:15, 3 Kelebogile Moreo (Boksburg) 42:51. Walkers: 1 Udelle de Winnaar (UJ) 54:45, 2 Lesley van Buuren (Wanderers) 57:01, 3 Bronwyn Lendrum (RWFL) 64:40.

21km (supplied by Peak Timing):

Men: Open: 1 Lucky Mohale (Boxer) 66:46, 2 Tisetso Ramokheseng (Colossus) 67:06, 3 Africa Mailola (Nedbank) 67:07. Veterans: 1 Johannes Kekana (Cool Running) 70:59, 2 Mkhuhlane Mgcina (Sports Connection) 75:07. Masters: 1 Solomon Khumalo (Carlton) 82:25. Grandmasters: 1 Don Charles (Nedbank) 93:20, Walkers: 1 Sizwe Ndebele (Muden) 1:52:37. Women: Open: 1 Irvette van Zyl (Nedbank) 72:08, 2 Christine Kalmer (KPMG) 81:27, 3 Yolande Maclean (Born 2 Run) 85:36. Veterans: 1 Paula Quinsee (Born 2 Run) 85:43, 2 Heather Walden (Born 2 Run) 91:50. Masters: 1 Julie Soicher (Rockies) 96:06. Grandmasters: 1 Debbie Blake (Runavation) 1:57:12.

42km (supplied by Peak Timing):

Men: Open: 1 Charles Tjiane (Maxed Elite) 2:23:46, 2 Ludwick Mamabolo (Nedbank) 2:25:25, 3 Samuel Mashishi (FFA) 2:26:19. Veterans: 1 Charles Tjiane (Maxed Elite) 2:23:46, 2 Rulf Nkhi (Nedbank) 2:38:47. Masters: 1 Graeme McCallum (Born 2 Run) 3:09:40. Grandmasters: 1 Johan Nel (Irene) 3:21:11. Women: Open: 1 Charné Bosman (Nedbank) 2:48:52, 2 Risper Kimaiyo (Nedbank) 2:52:05, 3 Julanie Basson (Born 2 Run) 3:05:23. Veterans: 1 Charné Bosman (Nedbank) 2:48:52, 2 Julanie Basson (Born 2 Run) 3:05:23. Masters: 1 Yvonne Laing (RRW) 3:37:43. Grandmasters: 1 Val Watson (Runavation) 3:47:44.