Athletes clock fast times in Savages challenge
The Savages Supa Mama 10km and 21.5 km Challenge was a huge success with athletes clearing seasonal and personal bests in the run.
JOSEPH Munywoki continues to impress in local road running after winning the Savages Supa Mama half marathon challenge on Durban’s beachfront in 1:05:17. The Phantane athlete left Zimbabwean Elmore Sibanda in his wake by 16 seconds just a stride clear of Philane Buthelezi of the KlipRiver Striders who completed the podium in 1:05:34.
The top five prizewinners all finished under 66 minutes making this one of the fastest races in the country, despite only attracting the local athletes.
Phatane’s Sithulisiwe Zhou made it a double opening 200m on Jenna Challenor to cross the line in 1:16:01. Challenor, who is making her comeback from injury was pleased with the outing and is now preparing for her run as an ambassador in the Mandela day Marathon on 31 August.
Durban’s Olympic marathoner, Tanith Maxwell, was third across the line in 1:18:39 and had the consolation of winning the 35-39 age category.
The race also saw a number of the leading names act as pacing buses for the mass of club runners. Comrades marathon winner Bongmusa Mthembu offered his services to those trying to beat 50 minutes, while Prodigal Khumalo, who won the 9th gold in Comrades this year, lead a 1 hour 40 minute bus in the half marathon, and presented a solid target for the 60 plus men’s race which was won by Les Smith in 1:40:31, just nine seconds clear of his Westville club mate Robin Goddard and 37 seconds ahead of Robin Archer of Queensburgh.
