LIMPOPO – Age is just a number for Gert Rabie (73), who continues to defy expectations on the track.

The Phalaborwa Road Runners athlete secured first place in the over-70 category of the 10km race during the Spar Tuffy 4-in-1 Marathon, held in the mountainous Agatha region of Tzaneen on Saturday, March 8.

Rabie told the Herald he is happy with his win but emphasised that running, for him, is more about health and fitness than competition.

“I started running 39 years ago and have never looked back. I’ve participated in more than 400 races, including the Comrades Marathon and the Two Oceans. I chose the 10km race for the Tuffy because I’m not as young anymore, I only run about 20km a week,” he said.

Meanwhile, Julient Mgiba of PMC Athletics Club, a specialist in the 21.1km half marathon and 10km races, made an impressive debut in the 42.2km marathon, finishing ninth with a time of 03:23:05, qualifying for the Comrades Marathon.

“I was happy with my performance. I ran well, but after reaching the 30km mark, it got tough, and the last 12km was a real challenge. However, I aim to improve my time at next month’s Magoro 4-in-1 Marathon,” he said.

In the main event, seasoned runner Rufus Photo clinched the men’s 42.2km title with a time of 02:43:18. In the women’s 42.2km, Anna Maponya from the University of Limpopo emerged victorious, finishing in 03:50:13.

She was followed by Makoma Lebea from Zwakala Athletics Club, who claimed second place in 03:58:17. In the 21.1km race, Emmanuel Ramohale took top honours in the men’s category with a time of 01:20:56, while Rosaline Isaiah dominated the women’s category, finishing in 01:38:53.

The 10km race also saw impressive performances, with Isaaic Moshia winning the men’s event in 34:27 and Sedzani Maluta triumphing in the women’s race with a time of 45:08.

This year’s event had the highest number of participants since inception, with 1500 people registering to run on the day.