Runners sweat it out in monster half-marathon
Last year's winner, Tebogo Pulusa from Dwarsrivier Marathon Club again crossed the finish line first.
The Sudwala Screaming Monster road race is aptly named. The route takes runners through the Sudwala Caves, but this is only towards the end of the half-marathon which took place on Saturday May 2.
It sees joggers battle with the elements from the outset, kicking off at Sudwala Lodge bright and early. Almost from the start they face a steady but long climb into the sunny morning, working up a sweat and probably cursing any photographers choosing this spot on the uphill from which to shoot.
A descent to the turnaround point offered some relief but was followed by more uphills as the runners made their way back to the lodge.
This year the leading men both hailed from Dwarsrivier Marathon Club in Steelpoort. Last year’s winner, Tebogo Pulusa again crossed the finish line first, this time in 1:15:41 a little slower than his winning time of 01:15:04 in 2014. Mputi Tshehla followed only three and a half minutes later.
Simon Sibisi, running for SAPS, was third in the category in a time of 01:21:36 and was also the fastest veteran man.
Tauntingly, runners pass the finish line to make a turn through the caves, the last stage of the trail. But it is worth it because inside the ancient dimness lives “the monster”, an awesome calcium formation bearing a strong resemblance to its namesake.
The top women finished close together. The time of 01:44:36 was enough to secure the win for Olivia Brown of NBC.
Lowveld Canoe Club’s Allison Hay again ended second overall in a time of 01:46:12. She was also the fastest master woman. Hay was followed by veteran Madeleine Whitehair of Nelspruit Marathon Club in 01:46:22.
Dwarsrivier continued their strong showing with member Tshepo Sekgoba being the first junior across the line in 01:26:16. The organising club, Legogote Villagers of White River in turn produced a champion in Lanios Mathebula, the top master male runner who finished with 01:40:44. Nelspruit also produced the first woman walker with Kate Hulett finishing in 02:29:52.
- See more pictures here.
