GALLERY: Heading to the finish line at the annual Battlefields Marathon

Members from the Dundee Diehards fired the ceremonial cannon which signalled the start of the race.

March 11, 2018

F.C. Pelser 2 minutes read

The annual Harriers Battlefields race was held on March 3, with runners competing in either 10 km, 21 km or 42 km distance road race.

ALSO READ: Runners invited to Battlefields Marathon

According to the organisers this is the 41st edition of the race, and the popularity of the race grows yearly with more entries each year.

Before the race the organisers welcomed the runners and spectators, they then offered up a prayer and led the eager runners starting line.

Members from the Dundee Diehards fired the ceremonial cannon which signalled the start of the race.

On the road, cars were hooting and pedestrians and passersby were cheering the runners on while they were making their way up Vulintaba road. At each waterpoint the runners were greeted by the friendly faces of people from the many Newcastle companies who had volunteered to help with the race.

Tramonto, Thirsti’s, The Newcastle Advertiser, Planet Fitness, Index Electrical, Magenta, Harcourts Vulintaba, Newcastle Wheelers and Stucky Motors each contributed to the days success, and after a long day of running and cross-country fun the results of the race were as follows:

The female winner of the 42 km race was Jo Claassen with a time of 4: 11: 43. Second was Phedizile Shabangu with a time of 4:19:25, and third was Angel Mdluli with a time of 4:26:58

The male winner of the 42 km race was Basil Mazibuko with a time of 2: 43: 32. In second place was Bongani Sabela with a time of 2: 47: 03, and close on his heels was Sandile from the Klip River Striders with a time of 2: 47: 35.

In the 21 km race the female winner was Sister Gamede with a time of 1: 36: 56. Following her was Elmien Scott with a time of 1: 43: 28 and in the third place was Taryn Strydom with a time of 1: 47: 09. The first walker to finish the 21 km category was P. Corlet with a time of 2: 34: 36

The male winner in the 21 km race was S Khubheka in the first place with a time of 1: 08: 12. S Masondo was in second place with a time of 1: 08: 38, and following him was D Masango with a time of 1: 12: 40. The first walker in was F de Jager with a time of 2: 49: 53, and in the second place was 75-year-old Flip Viviers with a time of 2: 59: 07.

The 10 km race male winner was Sipho Hlatshway in a time of 32:16. Behind him K Moloi with a time of 32:24 and in third place was T Selepe with a time of 35:47. Johan Harmse was the first walker to cross the finishing line with a time of 1: 14: 57.

In the 10 km race the female runner to come in first was Rika Rossouw in a time of 40: 51. In second place was A Khumalo with a time of 54: 19. In the third place was A Mdlalose 54: 27. W Cunningham was the first walker to cross the finishing line 1: 11: 13