LIMPOPO – Limpopo runners rose to the challenge at the Magoebaskloof Plunge on Saturday, November 22, one of Limpopo’s most challenging road races, which takes runners down the Magoebaskloof pass from Haenertsburg to Tzaneen.

TZANEEN

This year’s event had the highest number of participants since the Plunge’s inception, with 1 395 people registering to run on the day.

Nadia Claasen of the Tzaneen Marathon Club made a remarkable showing in the women’s 42.2km race, securing 7th place with a time of 03:34:37. Meanwhile, Mphumelelo Lucent from Nkowankowa Athletics Club also impressed, securing 8th place in the women’s 21.1km race with a time of 01:49:05.

Lene Jourbert from Le Club finished fifth in the women’s 10km with a time of 00:51:35, with Nyiko Baloyi from Nkowankowa Athletics Club securing 9th place with a time of 00:55:52 in the same category.

Tzaneen’s men also made their mark across various race categories.

Francois Nothnagel from Le Club secured eight place in the 21.1km distance with a time of 01:25:57. Nkowankowa Athletics Club’s Dikonketso Mohale also put in a solid effort, completing his race in 01:26:28 in the same category.

Karabo Maluleke and Khutso Mohale of the Nkowankowa Club also delivered strong performances, finishing in 00:40:23 and 00:41:06, respectively, in the half-marathon

The overall winner of the Plunge 42.2km men’s race was seasoned runner Ananius Seilango in a time of 02:31:18. In the women’s 42.2km, Helene Van Rooyen from the Nedbank Running Club emerged victorious, finishing in 02:59:52.

In the 21.1km race, Mphetsi Ramohale took top honours in the men’s category with a time of 01:09:36, while Makoma Lebea from Zwakala Athletics Club dominated the women’s category, finishing in 01:32:43.

The 10km race also saw impressive performances, with Stephen Madiye from Nedbank winning the men’s event in 00:34:57 and Sibongile Mtheto triumphing in the women’s race with a time of 00:44:44.

Haenertsburg Rotary Club race organiser Deneys Barry said he is pleased with how the event concluded.

“We thank our sponsors, Food Lovers Market, Discovery, Oasis Water, our Coca-Cola donor, Lannie Motors, and of course the runners and 13 water point holders for supporting our community projects in Haenertsburg and surrounds. We also much appreciate the assistance of GTM, Limpopo provincial traffic officers, and the police in keeping the runners safe,” he concluded.

PHALABORWA

In the 42.2km men’s race, youngster Present Mongwe of Phalaborwa Road Runners placed 17th overall, finishing in 03:10:47. Foskor Athletics Club’s Potego Malepe followed with a 45th place finish in 03:53:49, while PMC Athletics Club’s avid runner Neill Kelder completed the race in 05:23:20.

In the men’s half-marathon (21.1km), Tlangelani Shingange from PMC produced a strong run, finishing in 01:30:06.

His teammates, Ethan Tshepo and Tribe Mashaba, crossed the line in 01:47:11 and 01:52:28, respectively. Foskor Athletics’ Gareitsane Mthimkhulu also impressed, finishing in 02:02:33.

In the 10km men’s event, Never Ngobeni of Ba-Phalaborwa Youth and Disability finished in 52:11, while Foskor’s Reginald Monareng completed his race in 01:00:08.

Kelder described the Plunge as a “great race” and praised the organisers for hosting a well-run event. Mongwe, despite finishing strongly, admitted he had aimed to complete the marathon in under 2 hours and 47 minutes.

“My challenge was the uphills; in Phalaborwa, we don’t have such climbs. Although it was tough, I’m glad I did not quit,” he said.

In the elite category of the 42.2km race, Ananius Seilango took the men’s title in 2:31:18, while Helene van Rooyen won the women’s race in 2:59:52.

Mphetsi Ramohlale won the men’s half-marathon in 1:09:36, with Makoma Lebea of Zwakala Athletics Club securing the women’s half-marathon title in 1:32:43. In the 10km event, veteran runner Stephen Madiye claimed victory in 35:57, while Sibongile Mtheto of Nkowankowa Athletics won the women’s division in 44:44.

HOEDSPRUIT

The event, which stretches from the town of Haenertsburg down the Magoebaskloof pass to Tzaneen, featured distances of 42.2km, 21.1km, 10km, and 5km, drawing runners from across the province and beyond.

Maruleng runners showcased their running skills and fitness against the seasoned athletes. Their participation highlighted the growing talent emerging from the area, which has long promoted athletics through its local clubs and the Maruleng Mayor’s Marathon.

In the 42km distance, Lesebatse Mametja of Maruleng Athletics Club (MAC) finished with a time of 03:09:19, Eddie Maste, also of MAC, finished in 03:30:21, Jason Kipling of Lowveld Trail Running finished in a time of 03:55:59, Belinda Barkas of Hoedspruit Athletics Club came in with a time of 04:32:32, Caiphus Molamodi of MAC ran a time of 04:59:39, and Mampho Kamela of MAC finished in 05:18:13.

In the 21km distance, Kamogelo Marobane of MAC finished in 01:30:01, Maruleng Mayor Tsheko Musolwa in a time of 01:55:18, and Adam Mpuru with a time of 02:02:49.

In the 10km distance, Phelane Mametja of MAC came in third with a time of 01:37:26, Brutus Maebabe with a time of 01:46:01, Daphney Mpyafe with a time of 01:05:15, Mallinea Mokoena with a time of 01:13:41, Lehlokwane Mokoena with a time of 01:31:18, and Jinion Machimane with a time of 01:36:05. After the event, Musolwa commented on Facebook that sports play a critical role in promoting social cohesion and building resilient communities.