Athletes take on the Battlefields Route

At one of the formal prizegiving events held during the afternoon, the Newcastle Advertiser was confirmed to have hosted the best water table, and received the floating trophy.

March 12, 2019

Bruce Douglas 1 minute read

Morning dawned on Saturday, casting early light on a large field of eager runners and walkers.

Shortly after the sunrise, they embarked on their respective journeys of 10 kilometres, 21km and 42km, as the annual Battlefields Marathon set off from Huttenpark Primary School.

The race was hosted by the Newcastle Harriers.

On the way to the turning points at various spots along the D96 – for long distance athletes, just past the Vulintaba turn-off – runners and walkers received energy boosters and refreshment from an array of water tables.

Results for the various races are as follows:

10km
The fastest male athlete for this distance was Sipho Hlatshwayo (Nedbank), who clocked in at a time of 31:50. Nelisiwe Biyela was the quickest female in 40:09.

The walker with the best time among male competitors was Johan Harmse, and his female counterpart was Nettie Cunningham.

21km
Sibusiso Kubheka (Nedbank) posted the top time of male athletes (1:07:39), with Marlene Bean of Vryheid finishing in the best time among female competitors (1:41:24).

Sizwe Ndebele and Jenny Baney were the fastest walkers.

42km
Siboniso Sikhakhane of Phantane finished first in a time of 2:33:39, with Phezile Shabangu (Nedbank) the fastest female in 3:58:12. Full results will be released later in the week.

At one of the formal prizegiving events held during the afternoon, the Newcastle Advertiser was confirmed to have hosted the best water table, and received the floating trophy. Thank you to all Advertiser staff who arrived early and left late on the day.

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