Forest run celebrates 35th year

Some of the runners who took part in this year’s York Sabie Shufflers Forest Run were younger than the 35-year-old race. Saturday was exceptionally cool and misty after a heatwave the previous week.

Since 2012 York Timbers has been the main sponsor of the run, where it donated a total of R11 000 in prize money.
Participants in could choose between three different Athletics South Africa-affiliated runs taking place on jeep tracks and forestry roads.

A total of 103 runners registered for the 32km off-road race, 40 per cent more than previous years. As many as 78 participated in the 21,1km race and 75 the 10km race. In total 27 people lined up for a fun run of 4,9km.

Nthuthuko Maseko finished the 32km first in a time of 1.53:29. Only 11 minutes behind him was Surprise Makufane who was followed by Paul Kekana.

Olivia Brown was the first woman to finish a time of 2.46:14. Elsa de Beer and Phumza Mapalala were second and third respectively.

Category winners among the women were Susan Rossouw (40+), Estelle Kraukamp (50+) and Sue Robertson (60+). Among the men were Wilson Mapalala (40+), Rafael Ndlovu (50+) and Gerhard Nortje (60+).

Bongani Philane won the 21km race in a time of 1.15:42. He was followed across the finish line three minutes later by Sipho Chauke. Fritzi Willoughby (1.52:36) was the fastest woman. She was followed by Christa van Schalkwyk and Nosipho Mpele. The fastest walker, Vic Deetlefs finished in a time of 2.59:57.

Thabo Mashaba won the 10km in a time of 36:08. Thabana Petros and Stanley Mokoena were placed second and third respectively. Retha Janse van Rensburg (53:14) won among the women.

See more pictures here.