The 2024 Thembisa Mile becomes a glorious success

The 10th edition of the annual Thembisa Mile took place on October 27 at the Olifantsfontein Sports Grounds, bringing together runners, walkers, and elite athletes for a day filled with competition, camaraderie, and fun under the sunny skies.

Thousands of participants gathered to collect their race tags and lined up at the starting line, ready for the event’s 7:10 start.

Participants had a maximum of two hours to complete the 10km race.

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The day’s highlight was when Elroy Galant emerged as the hero, crossing the finish line at 29:35.

He was closely followed by Thebang Mosiako at 29:56, with Chris Mhlanga taking third place at 30:11.

In the women’s 10km race, Karabo Mailula claimed first place with 34:29.

Karabo More followed in second place at 35:02 seconds, and Karabo Motsoeneng secured a third place at 35:55.

Reflecting on his victory, Galant noted the challenges of navigating a new location.

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“Winning today is a blessing and a strong foundation for me. It gives me purpose and joy to compete at this level.

“While familiarising myself with the new course was challenging, I pushed through, focusing on the finish line,” he said.

Mailula expressed her excitement about her win after falling short last year.

“I feel great about taking first place this year. Achieving my goals is rewarding, and I am motivated to continue running into 2025,” she shared.

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Participants engaged in a range of activities, from running to walking and jogging, ensuring everyone could enjoy their 10km experience in their own way.

For those not involved in the main race, there were aerobics sessions, offering a suitable activity for all attendees.

The event concluded with a shared commitment to return for more on October 26, next year.