Tzaneen clubs shine at Spar Tuffy Marathon

TZANEEN – Athletes from Tzaneen and surrounding areas delivered determined performances at the Spar Tzaneen Tuffy 4-in-1 Marathon on March 7.

Known for its steep climbs and demanding terrain, the Tuffy is regarded as the toughest race in Limpopo and once again proved popular among runners.

Organisers received 1 450 online entries, which closed on February 3 after reaching capacity, leaving many runners requesting additional entry slots.

On Saturday, the third consecutive time winner Rufus Photo proved unbeatable in the men’s 42.2km race, finishing in 02:50:55.

Anna Maponya of the University of Limpopo Athletics Club also defended her women’s marathon title in 03:04:05.

In the 21.1km race, Emmanuel Ramohlale and Rosaline Isaiah successfully defended their titles, finishing in 01:21:30 and 01:39:00, respectively.

Local athletes completed the race distances with strong results

Tzaneen residents and members of the Nedbank Running Club Limpopo impressed in the half-marathon by securing podium finishes.

Janique du Toit finished second overall with a time of 01:55:32.

Patrick Mhlongo received a bronze medal after finishing in the 60–69 age category, while Bryony de Beer claimed first place in the junior girls’ category with a time of 02:53:23.

In the 42.2km marathon, runners from Letaba Road Runners (LRR) featured prominently.

Tonnie Ngobeni finished sixth overall in the senior men’s category in 03:11:21.6. Shaun Nkiyasi Mkhawana finished second in the senior women’s category in 03:52:19.

Other LRR athletes who completed the marathon included Elvis Ally Pilusa, who finished in 04:15:37, Paul Mhlanga in 04:18:02, and veteran runner Majozi Eric Baloyi, who completed the race in 04:58:27 in the 60–69 age category.

From Tzaneen Marathon Club (TMC), Anel Swart finished the marathon distance in 05:01:32, running in the 40-49 women’s age category.

In the 21.1km half-marathon, TMC’s Mientjie Els finished in 02:20:20 in the women’s 50–59 category, while Zelda Van Rooyen crossed the line in 02:20:20 in the women’s 40–49 category.

Other club runners included Celia Loubser, who finished in 02:36:51, Chandre Heyns in 02:36:52, Anrinette Van Wyk in 02:37:30, Gavaza Shilaluke in 02:47:35, Nicstar Migiyu Maluleke in 02:55:41, and Tintswalo Mulaudzi, who completed the race in 02:55:41.

Macdonald Maleka of LRR finished the half-marathon in 02:29:48, while Matome Sekgotodi, also from LRR, crossed the line in 02:49:48.

Mohale Daniel Mabulana of Bolobedu Athletics Club finished in 02:37:30, and LRR’s Sostinah Mhlongo completed the race in 02:54:04.

A strong performance also came from junior athlete Elias Mananga of Nkowankowa Athletics Club, who finished the half-marathon in 01:39:57, placing eighth in the junior (15–19) category.

In the 10km race, several athletes from the region also completed the course.

Francois Nöthnagel of Le-Club Running Club finished in 42:30, while his clubmate Yolandie De Kock crossed the line in 49:28, finishing second in the senior women’s category. Jennifer Visagie completed the race in 56:14.

Runners from TMC also featured in the 10km, with Collid Koena Ngoepe finishing in 56:19 and Nathaniel Mafogo completing the race in 56:44.