Hundreds of runners take on The Magoebaskloof Plunge
Close to 700 runners took on the 17km and 42km Magobaskloof Plunge road races in extremely hot weather on Saturday.
The marathon runners started their race at 05:30, right before sunrise, in Haenertsburg and ran down the Magoebaskloof mountain pass, through Tzaneen to the finish line at the Tzaneen Showgrounds.
Rufus Photo from Murray and Roberts running club was the first marathon runner to cross the finish line. Photo took first place with a time of 2:28:08, followed by fellow Comrades legend, Ludwig Mamabolo from Nedbank running club who completed the race in 2:29:32.
Pearl Hughes from Polokwane Athletics Club was the first woman to cross the finish line with a time of 3:34:21.
Local runner, Liezl Labuschagne took 14th place overall in the women’s division completing the 42km route in 4:17:56.
From Tzaneen Marathon Club Mark Alcock, Shin Ben, Ntateko Ndala, Busi Nyabana, Tertius Erasmus and Manica Erasmus all completed the 42km Plunge.
Also read: Gallery: 800 athletes plunge down Magoebaskloof
Thembha Masingi, Daniel Baloyi Sibongile Makamu and Masangu Nkensani all completed the marathon distance running in the blue Giyani Gallopers colours.
Greta Bekker from Le Club took third place in the women’s over 60 category and completed the marathon in 4:53:54. Fellow Le Club runner, Frederika Human completed the route in 5:05:49.
From Letaba Road Runners Nyiko Mbhalati, Ernest Mhlongo, Gilbert Maluleke and Jabulani Ngobeni completed the 42km route.
The 17km route proved to be very popular with 360 runners that started the race at Magoebaskloof Dam.
Tebogo Pulusa took first place in the men’s open category, completing the race in 53:03. Johannes Kekana took second place overall and wone the men’s over 50 division with a time of 55:11.
Rosaline Isaiah was the first woman to cross the finish line. Isaiah take overall first place and wins the women’s open category with a time of 1:08:45.
A total of 205 women competed in the 17km road race and Joyce Netshitenze from Murray and Roberts takes second place and Mariska Bosch takes third place overall. Monique Foutie takes third place in the women’s open category with a time of 1:19:45.
The Rotary Club of Haenertsburg organised this fundraiser event and thanked the runners, sponsors, volunteers, Tzaneen Traffic Department and fellow Rotarians for their support.
