Over 400 participants at the Boulders marathon
The route was serviced by eight water points.
A total of 432 runners completed the marathon that runs through the scenic Croc River Mountain Conservancy, hosted annually by the Onderberg Marathon Club. There were somewhat fewer participants than previous years, due to various factors.
Runners that entered for the 25-kilometre race started just after 06:00 at the Mara/Boulders turnoff on to N4 from Nelspruit to Komatipoort, ending at Kaapmuiden Primary. The first runner home was Ntuthuko Maseko, at 1:25:18.
The 25-kilometre route starts with a level straight, then winds steeply into the mountains towards the summit at Bonsberg. From here, the route heads downhill with spectacular views of the Onderberg area, entering another straight just south of the gorge, then goes downhill again, winding into the next straight following closely the flow of the Crocodile before reaching the end.
The route was serviced by eight water points.
The 10-kilometre race started at Kaapmuiden Primary School, then onto the Mara/Boulders road from Nkomazi’s side, turning around at 5 kilometres at the top of the first incline.
Joey Gotkin and Jenny Robertshaw, both veterans older than 70, members of the Johannesburg Rockies Club and enthusiastic regular weekend marathon runners, told Corridor Gazette how much they prefer this event here in the Lowveld due to the excellent scenery en route.
All proceeds of this marathon will go to the United Church of Christ the King.
