Benoni streets become runners’ haven

The event, organised by Benoni Northerns Athletics Club (BNAC), drew an estimated 4 700 runners to the start line in Brodigan Street for a 5km fun run, 10km, 21.1km half-marathon, 42.2km marathon and 50km ultra-marathon.

The magical mix of colours in the sky set a bright tone for what race organiser Jan Jordaan called an “extremely satisfying” event.

“We have received such great and positive feedback post-event and it seems that the people were generally happy with the new routes,” he said.

“The water tables were run fantastically well and we had no big hiccoughs.

“Numbers were down this year as opposed to years gone by, but a smaller field was expected.

“The Two Oceans Marathon took place a week prior to our event, the Loskop Marathon took place the day before it and many people headed to Bloemfontein for Angus Buchan’s ‘It’s Time’ prayer service over the weekend.”

Jordaan said that Sunday, April 29, 2018 has been earmarked as the date for next year’s race – it will take place just under a month after the Two Oceans Marathon and a week after the Loskop event.

The BNAC stalwart praised the race’s new sponsor Robor Scaffolding for “really coming to the party”.

“They made a big statement with their scaffolding structures along the route and at the start.

“Watch out for next year,” he said.

“Perry (managing director of Robor Scaffolding) and Chas Todd (the company’s manufacturing manager for scaffolding) are runners themselves and understand what races are about.

“We are incredibly excited about the future with them,” added Jordaan.

Jordaan also lauded the Benoni City Times and Caxton Local Media for the event’s press coverage.

He requested anybody who may have suggestions, complaints or criticism of the race to contact him on 011 748 4500 or 082 800 0762.

WATCH: Our Facebook Live coverage from the event:

WATCH: Six-piece band Bad Scooter entertains Robor Scaffolding Marathon runners on President Boshoff Road, Rynfield.

On the results front it was Gallopers’ George Mooi who would win the 42.2km main marathon.

Mooi, also the first master runner home, crossed the line in a time of two hours, 40 minutes and nine seconds.

According to race commentator Pete van der Merwe it was the slowest winning marathon time ever at the race.

Mooi was followed in by Solomon Khumalo of Carlton Athletic Club in second place and Ntobeko Mtintso (Kwa-Thema Striders) in third position.

KPMG’s Irene Goncalves was the first woman home in the marathon with a time of three hours, 23 minutes and 47 seconds, while Modern Athlete’s Jeannie Jordaan was the runner-up.

In the longer 50km ultra-marathon Rainbow Athletic Club’s Malose Mabote was the first man home with a time of three hours, five minutes and seven seconds.

Nedbank Running Club’s Benjamin Skosana followed Mabote to claim second spot.

Another KPMG runner, Franza Landman, tasted victory on the day.

She was the first woman across the line in the ultra-marathon with a time of three hours, 46 minutes and 57 seconds.

Landman was followed in by Greenstone’s Yvonne Laing in second position.

Bedfordview Country Club’s Eliud Biwott was the first runner home in the half-marathon in a time of one hour, 10 minutes and 35 seconds while Marie-Zanne de Kock (running with a temporary licence) was the first woman home in the 21km race in a time of one hour, 30 minutes and 41 seconds.

Midack Athletic Club’s Moses Mahlanga was the winner of the 10km race with a time of 32 minutes and 18 seconds.

The University of Johannesburg’s Rachel Leistra (38 minutes and 39 seconds) was the first woman home in the 10km race.

She was followed by local runners Robyn Kaltenbrunn (KPMG) and Robyn-Lee Jones (temporary licence).

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