Race held to raise awareness
He concluded by congratulating and thanking all the participants. He also said they wish to grow the race to 4 000 participants.
Ekurhuleni Municipality held a road marathon in Katlehong on Sunday, December 4 to raise awareness of HIV and Aids.
The race was held in line with World Aids Day on December 1.
According to the divisional head of Ekurhuleni Sports and Management, Atwell Sijadu, they want to promote healthy living through running.
“We want people who are living with HIV and Aids to know that they can live longer and that they can do so by participating in sports.
“We decided on running because it is cheap and easy and keeps one fit like any other sport.
“We also bring mobile clinics for people to get tested. We believe it will be easy for people to take care of themselves once they know the condition of their health,” said Sijadu.
Sijadu spoke highly of circumcision and encouraged men to have it done because it reduces the chances of being infected with HIV. But he added that men must still use condoms.
He concluded by congratulating and thanking all the participants. He also said they wish to grow the race to 4 000 participants.
One of the female runners, Nombuso Xaba, said there is still a stigma against HIV-positive people.
“A girl from next door once confessed her HIV status to her friends. Today she has lost most of her friends just because she talked openly to the people she trusted. I wish the awareness campaign can teach such people that neglecting someone does not help,” said Xaba.
Xaba also said young people must abstain from sex but if they feel they are ready they must use condoms.
“Once you have HIV there is no turning back because there is no cure for it. Don’t be deceived by people out there who are spreading lies that they can cure the virus,” she said.
The results of the races were as follows:
The 10km men’s race was won by Raphael Segodi of Club Rockies, who finished the race in 31:53 minutes.
In second place was Victor Peeha of Monaco Club, who finished in 32:42 minutes.
Third place went to Kabelo Seboko of Ydiard Club, who finished in 32:47 minutes.
Next came Samuel Mathabatha of Club Rockies (32:53 minutes) and Moeletsi Moletsane (33:02 minutes).
The ladies’ 10km race was won by Farida Zwane of Cool Running Club. In 2nd place was Andronica Mokgotla of Nedbank, who was followed by Nomsa Cossa of Club Rockies. In fourth place was Veliswa Dunjwa from Club Ulinda. Janelle Venter from Unisa Athletic Club finished in fifth place.
The 21.1km men’s race was won by South African 10 000m and 42km champion, Coolboy Ngamole, who finished the race in 1hrs11:10 sec. In second place was Retsepile Khatle (1hrs11:45 sec). Prince Jali (1hrs13 minutes) came in third place. Lucas Raseruthe finished in fourth place in 1hrs13:55 sec, while Kemang Khunonyane finished fifth in 1hrs13:59 sec.
The ladies’ 21.1km race was won by Onniele Dialwe from Botswana, who finished in 1hrs25 minutes. Mpho Mabuza (1hrs28 minutes) was in second place. Maphuthi Phaka in third place finished in 1hrs35 sec. In the fourth place was Keshoketshwe Lechaba who finished in 1hrs36 minutes. Seipati Peo finished in fifth place in 1hrs44 minutes.
The winner of the men’s 21.1km, Coolboy Ngamole of Nedbank Running Club, said he was very happy with his achievement.
“I didn’t expect to do so wel,l considering the fact that I have not been competing in marathons in a while. I have only been training for 56km Two Oceans Marathon that is going to take place next year in Cape Town,” said Ngamole.
Simon Letsoalo (56) of Scaw Running Club said he came to defend his title but couldn’t successfully do so because he started the race six minutes after the race started.
“I’ve been winning the 21.1km race in my category (50-60 years) ever since it started. This year I was planning to beat my previous record. But I couldn’t because I started later than the others. But I am happy because I managed to finish the race in 1hrs33 minutes,” said Letsoalo.
