Over 1200 run Tuffy 4-in-1 marathon
More than 1200 athletes lined up in a misty Agatha for the SPAR Tzaneen Tuffy 4-in-1 Marathon on Saturday, marking ten years of the toughest race in Limpopo.
The race saw record-breaking entries and sold out two days before this prestigious road running event. The race was hosted at Lombard Avocodo in Agatha just outside Tzaneen. Mothakhi Calvin Malatji set an impressive pace of 3:40/km in the 10km race, securing first place with a winning time of 36:51. Le Club runners, Francois Nothnagel and Tristan Brett took second and third place overall, respectively.
Toinette Botha from Le Club took fourth place in the women’s division. In the 21.1km category, Emmanuel Ramohlale took the win, with Mardona Tshipu and Frans Mothapotaking second and third place. Rosaline Isaiah took first place in the women’s division with Monique Smit in second place and Viraldi Engelbrecht in third place. Ten runners from Tzaneen Marathon Club (TMC) took on the half marathon. Michael Viljoen Busi Nyabana, Selaelo Sekoto, Nyakallo Masedi, Loureen Phalabne and Tsakani Mahayi completed the road race in less than three hours.
Also read: PHOTOS: Runners prove not be faint-hearted at SPAR Tuffy 4-in1 road race
Fellow TMC runners, Lilize Erasmus, Dida Mthembi, Hercules Erasmus and Gabaza Mushwana also completed the 21.1km. From Letaba Road Runners (LRR) Paul Mhlanga, Timothy Ntimbani, Phillip Bambisa, Gilbert Maluleke, Leonard Mhangwana, Lucy Makhubele, Jamela Mushwana, Lehlogonolo Mafomane, Ernest Mhlongo, Sharon Mathebula, Martha Ngomane completed the 21.1km in less than three hours. Lawrence Chabalala, Lorna Mbhalati, Stevious Mushwana, Elsie Mathebula, Case Ngobeni, Mahlatse Popela, Vutani Mthebule and Joylene Nkhwashu completed the half marathon race.
Rufus Photo triumphed in the 42.2km marathon, with Timothy Munzhelele and Ananius Seilago Masila securing second and third places, respectively. Mamala Maponya took first place in the women’s division with a time of 4:17:03. Rusnath Malangane, Ntateko Ndlala, Shin Ben, Samantha Mahayi and Cor van Heyningen completed the 42.2km in TMC colours while George Othello and Tarzan Mushwana completed the marathon for LRR.
Also read: PHOTOS: Locals in action at the Tuffy
Ludwick Mamabolo, a previous Comrades Marathon winner, highlighted the race’s significance in his training regime. “The SPAR Tzaneen Tuffy is excellent preparation for the Comrades Marathon. The challenging course and today’s cool weather made it an ideal test for endurance and resilience. I want to thank the sponsors and organisers for their dedication to creating such an epic race. Good luck to all my fellow runners preparing for this year’s Comrades Marathon, and remember to train as much as your body allows.”
