Runners and walkers turned out in their numbers for the 24th Otter Estates Lonehill Fun Run at Lonehill Park, where athletes pushed themselves for podium finishes while supporting the restoration of the iconic Lonehill Dam.20

The annual event attracted a mix of elite athletes, club runners, recreational participants and families, with competitors taking on the challenging 5km course in pursuit of top honours and prize money.

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Professional athlete Tasha Mbobo once again stamped her authority on the women’s race, claiming first place for the fourth consecutive year.

Mbobo, who trains in Diepsloot, said although she had not specifically prepared for the event, her regular cross-country and track programme kept her in race-ready condition.

“My body has stayed active. Winning this race is always special because this is my fourth year taking part and winning it.”

She added that the Lonehill Fun Run has become one of the races she looks forward to each year and was delighted to extend her winning streak.

The men’s race was fiercely contested, with Nobert Chipika crossing the line in second place after fighting his way through the field.

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“The plan was to win. I started in fifth position and thought the guys in front would slow down, but they kept pushing. Around halfway I managed to move into second, but it was too late to catch the leader.”

Despite narrowly missing out on victory, Chipika said he thoroughly enjoyed his first experience at the event.

“I’ll definitely be back. The course is fun and challenging, and I want another chance to race the guys who finished ahead of me.”

Chipika said his love for running began after a friend introduced him to parkrun.

“I started with parkruns, then moved on to 10km races and half marathons. As I improved, I wanted to challenge myself even more.”

Third-place finisher Collin Kanyimo delivered an impressive performance despite arriving at the race after already completing a demanding 40km training run.

“My legs were heavy because I’d already done my long run, but I heard there was an event here and decided to come anyway.”

Kanyimo believes he could have challenged for top spot under different circumstances.

“If I hadn’t done the 40km beforehand, I think I could have competed for the win.”

Rather than focusing on the result alone, Kanyimo said he appreciated the opportunity to test himself against younger competitors.

“They have a lot of speed, resilience and endurance. Racing with them teaches you something every time.”

Making his debut at the Lonehill Fun Run, Kanyimo said he intends to return next year with the race firmly in his training plans.

“Now that I know about it, I’ll definitely come back and prepare properly.”

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