Runners enjoy their scream to glory at 2024 Sudwala Screaming Monster
The 2024 Sudwala Screaming Monster was held on Saturday April 13 with great success, with more than 400 runners taking part in three different distances of which two took the participants through the iconic Sudwala Caves.
More than 400 runners laced up their running shoes and lined up at the starting line of the Sudwala Screaming Monster on Saturday April 13.
Hosted by the Legogote Villagers Club, the Sudwala Screaming Monster is a truly unique race, offering runners in the 10km and 21.1km distances the chance to experience one of the oldest cave systems in the world.
Visiting the Sudwala Caves on any normal day is an experience like no other, but getting to run through them for a race is something very few people can lay claim to.
Being able to witness the hundreds of millions of years of geological evolution while you trudge along and make your way along a route that offers you many sights and sounds is truly special.
The races started and finished at Mankele Adventures and runners on the 21.1km and 10km routes got to enjoy a mix of road and trail running, with the route taking them along with R539 before the got to enjoy the Sudwala Caves.
There was also a 4.9km fun run, in addition to the more serious 10km and 21.1km races where runners battled it out for Sudwala glory. A total of 265 runners participated in the 10km, and 115 in the 21.1km races.
In the 10km race Sibonginkosi Maseko powered his way to victory, finishing in a blistering time of 35:07. He was followed over the line by second-placed Mancoba Nhlabathi (36:16) and Thamsanqa Hunguana (38:09) in third place.
Reneilwe Dibakwane was the top female runner, completing the 10km in 48:11. Ntokozo Dlamini was the second fastest lady, finishing in 51:35 while Victoria Cotter (53:43) was the third lady.
In the 21.1km race Samuel Mathabatha was the runner who emerged victorious, setting off the timing beams in a time of 01:15:49. He was followed closely over the line by Sifiso Ngcobo, 12 seconds later, who finished with a time of 01:16:01. Ntutuko Maseko was third overall, finishing in 01:23:32.
For the ladies Nomvula Sithole was the quickest, clocking a time of 01:36:16. Nine minutes later Wendy Boach (01:45:18) was the second lady to finish, while Renatha Botha (01:50:10) was the third lady over the line.
