Boulders no problem for the fit

The ninth Boulders 2-in-1 Road Race drew a big increase in participants this year. It saw a 37 per cent increase in participants over the 183 in 2014.

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 finish at Kaapmuiden Primary School last week Saturday.

A total of 127 also lined up for the 10-kilometre event.

Originally, the Boulders race was organised by the then SAP Running Club and comprised 32 kilometres, but in 2001 it was shortened to avoid participants having to run on the busy N4 toll route.

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Now it starts at the Mara turn-off from the highway. The race was also not presented from 2008, but returned to the running calender in 2014.

Organised by Onderberg Marathon Club and the United Church Christ the King, it is supported by RCL Foods Sugar and Milling, Laeveld Trekkers and Malalane Toyota. 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 the future.”

The fastest two men finished the 25-kilometre race neck on neck. Professor Mthetwa of Barberton Gijimas and Ruben Malatje of Nelspruit Marathon Club both recorded times of 1:34:13. Nedbank Running Club’s Ntonthokoza Dlamini’s 1:54:17 was enough to ensure her win among the women.

In the 10-kilometre race, Abednego Mashaba of Born to Win needed only 32:33 to win, with Prince Ndlovu of Run/Walk for Life hot on his heels to claim second place in a time of 32:41.

• See more pictures of the Boulders 2-in-1 Road Race here.

Race winners by category:
25 kilometres
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. Ntonthokoza Dlamini – Nedbank: 1:54:17
2. Madelein Whitehair – Nelspruit: 2:01:20
3. Alexis Badenhorst – Private: 2:12:20

40+ Men: Jaftar Sithole – Nelspruit: 1:37:08
40+ Women: Madelein Whitehair – Nelspruit: 2:01:20

50+ Men: Carl Phala – Nelspruit: 2:17:33

50+ Women: Barbara Hare – Legogote: 2:39:17

60+ Men: Bennie Burger- Nelspruit: 2:20:17
60+ Women: Frieda Muir – Secunda: 2:54:58

Junior Women: 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: John Nyathi – Kruger Park: 42:26

40+ Women: Belinda Potgieter – Nedbank LVCC: 50:35

50+ Men: André Swanepoel – Lydenburg: 53:04
50+ Women: Annemarie van Brakel – Nelspruit: 57:59

60+ Men: Enos Ndimande – Nedbank LVCC: 56:08
60+ Women: Jenny Robert Shaw – Rocky’s: 1:06:34.