About 1 000 runners took part in the fifth edition of the Tembisa Street Mile on October 30.
Founder of the race Mr Donald Mathipa said participants of the race came from neighbouring townships, which included Diepsloot, Soweto, Alexandra, Daveyton and Mamelodi. Runners from neighbouring suburbs like Midrand and Kempton Park also took part.
“Winners of the race were presented with medals and prize money,” said Mr Mathipa.
He said the race has grown rapidly over the years.
“We want to thank our sponsors, especially the main sponsor TomTom South Africa, for being with us for three years in a row. We hope to build the Tembisa Street Mile as a brand and to make sure it gets international status,” said Mr Mathipa.
Results
Mr Mathipa said Jerry Motsau of NWU-Pukke won the fifth edition of the Tomtom Tembisa Street Mile in a new record time of four minutes and six seconds (4:06).
“It was four seconds faster than the previous record of 4:10, which was set in 2013 by Johan Cronje,” said Mr Mathipa.
Kesa Molotsane of Kovsies (University of the Free State) won the elite women’s race in 4:54.
“Namakoe Nkhasi, of the Nedbank Running Club, successfully defended his 10km title in 29:44.”
He said Nkhasi’s time was 18 seconds slower than his course record time of 29:26, which he set last year.
“Nkhasi is a Lesotho national and competed in the 5 000m event at the Rio Olympics.”
Mr Mathipa said in the absence of the defending champion and course record holder Rutendo Nyahora, Liziwe Mabona of AMPA Athletics Club took the women’s 10km title in 37:24.
The U/15 girls champion was Lyndi Roelofse, the U/15 boys champion was Nthuthuko Ndimande, the junior women U/19 winner was Yandiswa Shange and the junior men’s U/19 winner was Tshepo Tshite.
Lebogang Shange was the first men’s walker home and Anel Oosthuizen was the first women’s walker to cross the finish line.