LIMPOPO – Athletes from around the country and overseas descended on Magoebaskloof for the Hi-Tec Magoebas Ultra trail running event.

The growing popularity of this event is highlighted by the 480 entries this year which provides not only a platform for seasoned runners, but also encourages newcomers in trail running with 10km, 28km, 45km and 60km distances.

The official race village was hosted at the Krabbefontein Café on the R71 in Magoebaskloof.

In the 28km men category, Théo Viallard from France won first place with a time of 03:39:40, in second place was Jason Van Antwerpen with 03:40:56 on the clock and in third place was Jacques Nel with a time of 03:51:52.

“Théo Viallard, our first international winner, secured first place in one of the most tightly contested finishes of our 2025 edition. Each athlete pushed their limits on our course with the most climb per kilometre,” said Handré Hay, race director.

In the women’s 28km category, Lehanri van der Westhuizen finished in first place in a time of 04:23:54, second was Evelyn Botha in a time of 04:34:25 and in third place was Edele Oneill with 04:42:55 on the clock. In the 45km women’s category Marianne Semmelink claimed victory with a remarkable time of 06:14:33. In an incredibly close finish, Mariska Bosch secured second place just eleven seconds behind at 6:14:44, while Adele Visser rounded out the podium with a time of 07:11:23.

In the 45km men’s category, the champion, Vincent Kruger, dominated the race with an impressive time of 05:55:33. Max Miller followed closely, securing second place in 06:05:14, with Jaco Boshoff completing the podium in a time of 06:19:24. The men’s 60km winner for 2025, Thabang Madiba, conquered the new 60km route in an astounding 07:05:02. Thomas Lechmere-Oertel delivered an incredible performance finishing second place in 07:33:38 and Cornelius Rall came in third at 07:51:46.

“He also earned the title of King of the Mountain for reaching Schnelskop first. It was incredible to see him dominate the new route,” said Hay.

The women’s 60km podium featured an outstanding performance by Nicolette Griffioen, finishing in an incredible 07:42:15, followed by Karine Bezuidenhout in 08:40:42 and Minette Van Den Berg in 09:03:12. In the men’s 10km category, Matej Vesely came in first in a time of 00:51:47, followed by Christopher Atherstone in 00:58:54, and in third place was Jannie van Staden in 01:03:11.

In the women’s 10km category, Stephani Du Plessis came in first in 01:07:09, followed by Marissa Mulook Houwer in 01:13:26 and in third place was Liza-Marie Vorster in 01:15:58.