Vryheid Athletic Club proudly took part in the Assegaai 3-in-1 Marathon held in Piet Retief on February 22, where club members delivered remarkable performances across various distances. The event saw athletes pushing their limits on a challenging course, and Vryheid’s runners proved their dedication by achieving commendable times.

Marathon (42.2km) finishers:

• Ntokozo Mbatha – 4:02:23
• Mandla Mnisi – 3:47:21
• Simphiwe Buthelezi – 4:22:57
• Buyisiwe Kunene – 4:50:32
• Jabulani Ndwandwe – 5:39:39
• Martin Schoeman – 4:10:32

Half-marathon (21.1km) finishers:

• Sibongiseni Michael Bhengu – 2:20:55
• Tholiwe Hlophe – 2:24:13
• Fanyana Ndzukula – 3:49:14
• Elizma Nortje – 2:14:12
• Amanda Vergottini – 1:56:25
• Bongiwe Zulu – 2:28:18

10km finishers:

• Hlobisile Madida – 49:26
• Lindelwe Shongwe – 1:23:12
• Silindile Zungu – 1:24:11

March has been a busy and thrilling month for local athletes, with outstanding performances across various races, including the 3-in-1 Kosmos race, time trials and prestigious marathons. Here’s a round-up of the latest results from the running scene.

Runners brave 42km challenge on March 1:

Several determined athletes took on the marathon distance on March 1, delivering impressive times. Hlobisile Madida led the way in the 40-49 category, crossing the finish line in a remarkable 3:37:58, while Tholiwe Hlophe completed the race in 4:46:48. In the senior category, Elizma Nortje displayed great endurance to finish in 5:03:53, with Paula Small dominating the 50-59 age group in 4:17:45.

Vryheid AC runners showcase strength:

Members of Vryheid Athletics Club proved their mettle in multiple distances. Amanda Vergottini and Bongiwe Zulu tackled the 21.1km half-marathon, finishing in 1:53:54 and 2:33:41 respectively. Over the 42.2km distance, Jaco Booysen demonstrated resilience to complete the race in 4:51:42.

Time trial results:

The club’s time trial on March 4 saw spirited performances, with runners pushing their limits in preparation for upcoming races.

Martin Schoeman – 21:28

Ruzelle Grobbelaar – 28:03

Slungile Ndlela triumphs in Edenvale Marathon:

The Edenvale Marathon on March 9 witnessed a strong showing from local runner Slungile Ndlela. She crossed the finish line in 2:12:50.

3-in-1 Kosmos race pushes limits:

The highly-anticipated 3-in-1 Kosmos race tested endurance runners across multiple distances in a single event. Tholiwe Christina Hlophe completed the race in a fantastic time of 9:33:33.

10km – 1:28:59

21km – 2:57:55

42km – 5:06:41

March continues to be an exciting month for the running community, with more races on the horizon. Congratulations to all participants for their dedication and perseverance. Stay tuned for more updates from the track and road.
Whether competing for personal bests or simply enjoying the spirit of the race, each athlete represented Vryheid Athletics Club with pride.

Vryheid Athletics Club continues to encourage local runners to participate in road races and welcomes new members to join training sessions in preparation for future events.

Well done to all the athletes! “We look forward to seeing you at the next race.”

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The news provided to you in this link comes to you from the editorial staff of the Vryheid Herald, a sold newspaper distributed in the Vryheid area.