Even more runners tackle Boulders race

The Boulders Road Race drew a much bigger field this year. The 124 runners who tackled the 25-kilometre race got to run a unique route over the Crocodile Gorge Mountains, through the Crocodile Gorge Nature Conservancy Area, to the finish at Kaapmuiden Primary School on Saturday morning. A total of 127 runners also lined up for the 10-kilometre event. Originally, the Boulders race comprised 32 kilometres, but in 2001 it was shortened to avoid runners having to run on the busy N4 toll route. It was not presented since 2008, and only returned to the running calendar in 2014. Organised by Onderberg Marathon Club and the United Church Christ the King and supported by RCL Foods Sugar and Milling (TSB), Laeveld Trekkers and Malalane Toyota. This, the ninth Boulders 2-in-1 Road Race saw a 37 per cent increase in participants compared to the 183 participants in 2014. Deon Valks, the race organiser, said it was hugely successful. “The organisers and sponsors are positive that this high-quality and value-for-money event on a very unique route will maintain a substantial growth in future.” The fastest two men finished the 25 – kilometre race neck in neck. Professor Mthetwa of Barberton and Ruben Malatje of Nelspruit both recorded times of 1:34:13. Nedbank running club’s Nontokozo Dlamini’s 1:54:17 was enough to ensure her victory in the women’s race. Results by category: 25 kilometre Open Men 1. Professor Mthetwa – Barberton: 1:34:13 2. Ruben Malatje – Nelspruit: 1:34:13 3. Jaftar Sithole – Nelspruit: 1:37:08 Open Women 1. Nontokozo Dlamini – Nedbank: 1:54:17 2. Madeleine Whitehair – Nelspruit: 2:01:20 3. Alexis Badenhorst – Private: 2:12:20 40+ Men 1. Jaftar Sithole – Nelspruit: 1:37:08 40+ Women 1. Madelein Whitehair – Nelspruit: 2:01:20 50+ Men 1. Carl Phala – Nelspruit: 2:17:33 50+ Women 1. Barbara Hare – Legogote: 2:39:17 60+ Men 1. Bennie Burger- Nelspruit: 2:20:17 60+ Women 1. Frieda Muir – Secunda: 2:54:58 Junior Women 1. Cornelia Jansen van Rensburg – Nedbank: 2:39:58. 10 kilometres Open Men 1. Abednego Mashaba – Born to Win: 32:33 2. Prince Ndlovu – Run Walk for Life: 32:41 3. Bheki Nkosi – Born to Win – 33:30 Open Women 1. Bianke Potgieter – Hoërskool Nelspruit: 47:21 2. Brenda Masango – Born to Win: 49:25 3. Belinda Potgieter – Nedbank LVCC: 50:35 40+ Men 1. John Nyathi – Kruger Park: 42:26 40+ Women 1. Belinda Potgieter – Nedbank LVCC: 50:35 50+ Men 1. André Swanepoel –  Lydenburg: 53:04 50+ Women 1. Annemarie van Brakel – Nelspruit: 57:59 60+ Men 1. Enos Ndimande – Nedbank LVCC: 56:08 60+ Women 1. Jenny Robert Shaw – Rocky’s: 1:06:34 Junior Men 1. Thulani Lukhuleni – Born to Win: 34:29.