Athletes take Battlefields at pace

A few hundred competitors made up this year’s Battlefields Marathon contingent.

Boasting increased participation from last year, Newcastle Harriers’ At Swanepoel praised the phenomenal support from the community, runners and walkers.

Asked how the race had gone, he replied with humour.

“I have a good answer: from the organisers’ side, it was chaos. From the athletes’ side, it was great!”

Although local entries had dwindled, Mr Swanepoel explained out-of-towners still flocked to the Battlefields, bringing more friends each year.

This was due to the Battlefields being listed as a Comrades Marathon qualifier.

“If you qualify for the Comrades with a flat marathon, it is not the same as qualifying on a course with uphills. The hills prepare you for what’s coming, and this is my experience too.”

Noting over 100 entries in the three main categories, Mr Swanepoel thanked residents and businesses who set up water tables along the route.

“The response from our town was fantastic. It was very hot and I know the athletes suffered.”

All in all, only three competitors in the main 42-kilometre event bailed out, and another handful on the 21km race.