IN PHOTOS | Inaugural Border to Border Marathon sees a great turnout
Runners took on the Nkomazi Border to Border Marathon on February 1.
The Nkomazi Border to Border Marathon saw runners from all walks of life coming to conquer this much-anticipated race on February 1
It started at the Lebombo Border Post and finished at the Mananga Border Post.
There were four categories to participate in – 63km, 21km, 10km and 4.9km.
Proud Chauke of Pan African Resources Athletic Club won the 63km race in 03:54:25, followed by Professa Mthethwa of Bella’s Athletics Club, who scooped second place in 04:03:59. In third place was Thulane Magagula, who completed the race in 04:12:26.
Chauke won the 2024 Johnson Crane Hire Marathon in Benoni, and is also a two-time silver medalist in the Comrades Marathon.
Kelebogile Mtshabi of Pan African Resources Athletic Club won the female category in 05:23:17. She was followed by Nomvula Sithole of Uniwisp, who completed the race in 05:30:12. In third place was Carien de Bruyn of Legogote Villagers in 06:24:46.
Abednico Mashaba of Uniwisp added another win into his list of half marathons as he won the 21km in 01:08:41, followed by Musawenkosi Buthelezi of Bella’s Athletics Club, who finished the race in 01:08:55. For some distance, Buthelezi was in front, however, Mashaba picked up his pace and passed him.
In the third place was Sicelo Mashaba, who clocked 01:13:21. The winner of the female category was Musawenkosi Nsibande of Nedbank in 01:26:13. Second was Rosaline Isaiah of Uniwisp in 01:31:30, and Zanele Sehole was third in 01:33:10.
In the 10km men’s race, Bella’s Athletics Club showed dominance. Prince ‘The Jaguar’ Ndlovu took first place in a time of 00:33:35, followed by Samkelo ‘Zulu Boy’ Ngobese in 00:33:48, and Sbonginkosi Maseko in 00:34:44. These three runners from Bella’s made sure their club was visible in this category.
In the women’s race, Sinothile Mthiyane of Ulundi Striders took first place in 00:47:13. In second was Chantal Middel-Bovée of Definition Athletics Club in a time of 00:54:12, and Buhle Sibande of Gijima Nkomazi was third in 00:59:12.
Gijima Nkomazi’s chairperson, Lordrick Mathonsi, said the race went well and the runners were happy to see something like this taking place for the first time.
