FOUNDED by Siyanda Sibiya, the inaugural KZN Runner Awards celebrated athletes, running clubs, and those who made sure that KZN’s busy running calendar runs smoothly. Steered by MC Rory Petzer and with more than 10 categories, the first award of the ceremony went to Events Timing for their excellence in timekeeping.

Sibiya said that marked the start of what was a successful evening with entertainers such as Veranda Panda, maskandi artists and deejays taking to the stage. Dubbing it the ‘Matric Dance of Runners’, Sibiya said, “The inaugural event was a resounding success with guests praising the experience.”

 He said the awards were beyond expectations as the running industry celebrated its peers. “The people getting these accolades were nominated and voted for by their peers which was the biggest highlight of the event,” said Sibiya. “It all attests to the whole initiative being for the people by the people.”

The top awards of the evening went to Siphelele Myeni, who was surprised to have been voted as the Best Female Runner, while the title of Male Runner of the Year went to Sinenkosi Zondi.

Sibiya said plans are already in place to host next year’s event where the “social running community can converge under one roof to celebrate greatness”.

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