Masinge takes 3rd at Spar Shikhumba Marathon
Giyani Gallopers Athletics Club's Aletta Ngoveni took third in the women's 42.2km race at the Spar Shikhumba Marathon and won her age category despite intense heat.
LIMPOPO – Local runners delivered strong performances at the 12th Spar Shikhumba Marathon on Saturday, October 3, securing several podium and age-category positions.
Malamulele Athletics Club’s Steven Masinge finished third overall in the men’s 42.2km race in 02:43:46, at a pace of 3:53min/km. He also earned silver in the 40-49 age category.
Steven Baloye of Giyani Gallopers Athletics Club finished 24th in 03:43:28, while Gallopers’ Aletta Ngoveni claimed third place overall in the women’s marathon. She also won the 40-49 age category in 03:54:21, at a pace of 5:34min/km.
Gallopers fill the top 10
Gallopers dominated the women’s marathon, with Nkhensani Masangu finishing seventh in 04:38:34, followed by Precious Tshabalala in eighth (04:43:28), Tlangelani Shirinda in ninth (04:43:48) and Tinyiko Ngomani in 10th (04:44:49).
A target met and a brutal finish
Masinge said he was pleased with his performance, having targeted a 2:45 finish based on his training.
Ngoveni was also pleased but described the race as difficult, particularly the final 10km, which included steep uphill sections and intense heat. She said she had not run beyond 30km since the Comrades Marathon.
Strong showings over 21.1km
In the men’s 21.1km race, History Maluleke finished seventh in 01:26:27, followed by Ronald Rivombo in 01:35:17 and Kenneth Baloyi in 25th place in 01:51:54.
Beryl Monakisi was the top local woman in the half-marathon, finishing 10th overall in 02:07:41 and third in the 50-59 age category. Mary Maswanganye finished 14th in 02:22:08, while Shikhumba Athletics Club’s Ifa Tshifhango was 17th in 02:27:02.
Chabalala sets the pace over 10km
Gallopers’ Essential Chabalala won the men’s 10km race in 36:12, followed by Shikhumba’s Nyiko Manganyi in 36:49 and Shadrac Mhlongo in 38:30. Gift Mashavani finished fourth in 38:46, while Vonani Chabalala was fifth in 39:00 and second in the 40-49 age category.
In the women’s 10km, Abigail Maringa finished third overall in 50:11. Ntsako Mathebula was eighth in 58:20, while Ximatsatsa Ndlovu finished ninth and won the 40-49 age category.
Growth and giving back
Race founder Amos Sambo said he was pleased with the turnout, with nearly 1 000 participants taking part.
He said the event had grown significantly since its launch in 2014 as a 5km race. Organisers will soon donate prize money to two disability centres in the Giyani area as part of the race’s community outreach initiative.
