Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 a scorcher

The Lowveld is blessed with glorious scenery, and the local running calendar is correspondingly blessed with arguably some of the most-scenic road races in the country. It is in this spirit that thousands of runners gathered in Mbombela on Saturday for the Rudamans Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 marathon, half-marathon and 10-kilometre races.

Appreciating glorious scenery requires clear-blue open skies and the Lowveld certainly delivered in this respect, although with the entire country in the grip of unseasonable heat, many participants fondly recalled the drizzly, misty conditions which characterised much of the 2014 event (at least at higher altitudes).

As dawn broke on Saturday to clear skies, the day promised to be a scorcher, runners eventually being exposed to temperatures deep in the 30s (as high as 37°C, according to some). The water tables along the route came into their own, providing more than merely water, coke and snacks – essential as those were. They also provided cheers and encouragement and gave wings to leaden feet. The more gruelling the race, the more essential those smiling faces and shouts of encouragement along the route… and this year’s race certainly was gruelling.

A total of 4 200 athletes eventually crossed the finish line, an increase of more than 1 000 compared with the previous year: 2 330 runners completed the full marathon, 1 150 the half-marathon and 720 the 10-kilometre race. Each of them were a champion in their own right, having completed a race which is deceptively difficult even under conditions less challenging than in 2014. Whether they were chasing victory, Two Oceans or Comrades qualification, or more personal challenges, each finisher’s medal was hard earned and well deserved.

There were considerable changes, with a new start for the marathon and a new finish for all three events. These introduced some logistical challenges, especially given the large increase in the number of entries which exceeded 5 000 (and broke 1 000 for the first time in 2010), and the high temperatures which surprised even those used to Lowveld summers. The organisers met these challenges with dedication, although the day’s end saw some grey hairs which were not present at the start. The feedback from runners was overwhelmingly positive, and building on lessons learnt during 2015, along with helpful suggestions from participants and spectators, the Nelspruit Marathon Club along with the sponsors and organisers will make the 2016 Rudamans Kaapsehoop 3-in-1 something to look forward to.

In total there were 720 finishers in the 10-kilometre, 1 150 in the 21-kilometre and 2 330 in the 42-kilometre races.

The winners were as follows:
Men 42 kilometres

• Open – Tebogo Lajaha – 2:22:23
• Veteran – Reginal Ngobesi – 2:31:30
• Master – Peter Jahne – 2:55:58
• Grand master – Peter Sebola – 3:37:49

Women 42 kilometres

• Open – Mitsie van der Westhuizen – 2:57:27
• Veteran – Mitsie van der Westhuizen – 2:57:27
• Master – Chris Walter – 3:23:05
• Grand master – Val Watson – 3:36:32

Men 21 kilometres

• Open – Motlalepula Motshosola – 1:04:35
• Veteran – Herbert Mokgala – 1:08:15
• Master – Philip van Rooyen – 1:26:22
• Grand master – Piet Britton – 1:46:16
• Junior – Edu Mdlane – 1:22:26

Women 21 kilometres

• Open – Nonthokoza Dlamini – 1:25:38
• Veteran – Helen Ibbolson 1:25:57
• Master – Helen Holl – 1:45:45
• Grand master – Kitty Maree
• Junior – Bianke Potgieter – 1:46:46

Men 10 kilometres

• Open – Abednico Mashaba – 30:44
• Veteran – Alpheus Motloung – 41:05
• Master – Hennie Naude – 47:27
• Grand master – Hans Sliep – 46:56
• Junior – Thulane Lukhule – 31:58

Women 10 kilometres

• Open – Gist Ramabele – 39:51
• Veteran – Sibongile Mlambo – 48:41
• Master – Shelley van de Spuy – 55:27
• Grand master – Jenny Robertshaw – 69:57
• Junior – Sindile Thabethe – 46:39.