Correctional staff shine in Comrades
“Everything went well for us. Our main aim was to return home with medals, and we achieved that based on our results.”
Athletes from the Boksburg Correctional Services Athletics Club (BCSAC) racked up eight medals in the recent Comrades Marathon.
Two BCSAC athletes, Mahloko Maesela and Maputo Moimane, scooped bronze medals.
Maesela finished the race in 10:58, and Moimane followed at 10:04:35. Segatane Makuwa bagged a Billy Rowan medal by crossing the finish line in 08:07:25.
Maribe Mamabolo attained a Robert Mtshali medal after a great start to the race, with a completion time of 09:17:28.
Fulufhelo Gadivhana, who didn’t let an injury stop him from competing in the ultimate race, also bagged a Robert Matshali medal, with a time of 09:28:57.
Novice runner Thereso Mashabela didn’t do badly as a first-time runner. She clinched a Vic Clapham medal with a time of 11:26:53.
Motsumi Leso also scooped a Vic Clapham medal with a time of 11:28:46. Kgabo Sepuru completed the race in 11:14:41 and bagged a Vic Clapham medal.
The chairperson of the BCSAC, Mamabolo, said they were happy with their overall results as a team.
“We had only one member who couldn’t finish the race. Other than that, everything went well for us. Our main aim was to return home with medals, and we achieved that based on our results.
“To prepare for the ultimate race, we trained together, but athletes were also required to train individually because of our various working schedules,” Mamabolo explained.
He thanked the Boksburg Correctional Services management for supporting them.
“The management allowed us to train from noon until late on Tuesdays. It helped us a lot. We look forward to competing in other competitions as a team and ensuring we all qualify for the Comrades Marathon next year,” said Mamabolo.
A novice runner of the ultimate race, Thereso Mashabela, said she was thrilled she completed her first Comrades Marathon.
“Now I feel like I can conquer everything. I feel humbled that I’m the one who will open the doors for other women to join the club.
“Currently, I’m the only woman in the club, but I want to inspire other women. I want to show them that nothing is impossible.”
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