Paton Banda of Bestmed Madibaz Athletics Club took the honours during the Shalom Half Marathon on February 5.
He managed a time of 1:11.21 followed closely by Derrick Masango of Harambe 2040 Athletic Club (1:12.55) and Ntuthuko Maseko of the Nedbank Running Club (1:15.26) in second and third place.
The marathon has been held every year since 2011, except in 2021 due to Covid-19.
The Shalom Half Marathon featured runners from a variety of clubs and saw a total of 200 entries.
The three distances from which marathoners could choose were 21.1km, 10km and 4.9km.
The outgoing chairman of Shalom Marathon Club, Mzungezi Nhlabathi, said they are also looking at the inclusion of a 42km distance next year.
Athletes set off in rainy conditions at the AJ Swanepoel Stadium at 07:00.
Among the local clubs, Ermelo Marathon Club, Conquerors Athletic Club, and Shalom Marathon Club competed.
Andries Koekemoer, chairman of the Ermelo Marathon Club, finished first in the men’s 21km 50+ age division with a time of 1:55.08.
“It’s only through God’s grace that I’m able to compete,” Koekemoer told Highvelder post-race.
The Ermelo Marathon Club will host the Safire Streetmile on February 26 and urges residents to participate.
Entry fees are R50 for adults and R30 for children aged 12 and younger.
For more information, contact Andries Koekemoer on 066 205 3685 or Yvonne on 078 451 5713.
Get your copy of the Highvelder this week for all the results.
