Over 500 runners tackle Boulders Marathon
The Boulders Marathon proved more popular than ever, with 538 runners completing the scenic race in and around Kaapmuiden on Saturday.
Runners gathered at the Mara turn-off from the N4 almost at the crack of dawn on Saturday for the annual Boulders Marathon.
A total of 235 people participated in the 25-kilometre race. The route followed the Boulders Road over the Crocodile Gorge Mountains, through the Crocodile Gorge Conservancy and finished at Kaapmuiden Primary. It featured enough up- and downhills to leave the professionals smiling and the beginners near collapse.
The 10-kilometre race had 303 participants and started and ended at the school. Participants included a few youngsters, veterans in their sixties and even a very energetic gogo, who impressed the younger runners immensely.
PHOTOS: Boulders Marathon draws hundreds of athletes
Hosts Onderberg Marathon Club and The United Church of Christ the King ensured that there were plenty of watering points, security and a warm welcome at the finish line.
This year’s 10-kilometre winners fared very well, despite the cool and windy conditions, and improved last year’s winning times of 36:09 (men) and 53:38 (women).
The male winner was Thulani Lukhuleni of Born to Win in 32:30. He was followed by Prince Ndlovu of Run/Walk for Life (33:01) and Freedom Makhubeti of Run/Walk for Life was third (35:17).
Nontokozo Dlamini of Nedbank LVCC was the first woman to cross the finish line in 47:50. Tanya Delport came in second with 50:40 and Joani van Rooyen was in third place in 51:02.
The winner of the 25-kilometre race was last year’s second-place runner, Professor Mthethwa of Nedbank LVCC. He improved his time of last year by almost a minute, with a time of 1:25:51.
In second place was Duduzi Hlatshwayo in 1:28:14, followed closely by Victor Mahloba of Nedbank LVCC in 1:28:21.
The winning woman was Eldoret Boezaart of Run/Walk for Life Nelspruit in 2:07:12. Sandra Mohaole of Skukuza Marathon Club was in second place in 2:09:11 and Tracey Rundle of Run/Walk for Life Nelspruit crossed the finish line two seconds later.
The Boulders Marathon started out as a 32-kilometre race and the orginal format was last hosted by the SAP Running Club in 1994. The shortened race was held in 2001 and 2007 and from 2014 onwards, to avoid the busy N4 toll road.
READ: It’s never too late to take on your first Comrades Marathon
The organisers thank main sponsors RCL Foods Sugar and Milling, Laeveld Trekkers and Malalane Toyota, helpers and supporters for helping to make the 12th Boulders Marathon one of their biggest, most successful races to date.
