SPORT: Athletes take to the open road at Amajuba Marathon

The second annual Amajuba 10km and 21km Road Race hit the streets on September 23.

This event was hosted as a joint venture by the Newcastle City Athletics Club and the Newcastle Sport Academy, and attracted over 130 athletes from across KwaZulu-Natal, Mpumalanga and the Eastern Cape.

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Its objectives are threefold. The first goal of the race is to commemorate the Battle of Amajuba Hill, the second to offer a nationally accredited, user-friendly and an accommodating platform for talented athletes to compete for gold and glory, and finally to provide an opportunity for multi-national corporates to invest in community development.

Race results were as follows:

Men’s 21km Race:

First – Siyabonga Nkonde (Ethekwini).

Second – Sphesihle Masondo (Utrecht).

Third – Sphamandla Nyembe (Ethekwini).

Special category winners:

Over-40s – Bongani Ngobese (Osizweni).

Over-50s – Reginald Ngobese (32G).

Over-60s – Philimon Zondi (Biggarsberg).

Women’s 21km Race:

First – Cacisile Sosibo (KZN Academy).

Second – Xolile Madida (Natal Carbineers).

Third – Jo Claassen (Newcastle Harriers).

Special category winners:

Over-40s – Phindile Thwala.

Over-50s – Sharda Norothum (Eskom Gijimas).

Men’s 10km Race:

First – Nkosinathi Sibiya (Term 3).

Second – Katlego Moloi (Nkangala).

Third – Derrick Masongo.

Women’s 10km Race:

First – Thobile Mkhize (Amaqhawe).

Second – Ntombomzi Tywalana and Manyoni Bongekile (both from KZN Academy).

Third – Gugu Dlamini (KZN Academy).

Junior 10km Race:

First – Lebohang Mohloane (KZN Academy).

Second – Siyabonga Ndlovu (KZN Academy).

Third – Njabulo Buthelezi (Lindokuhle AC).

The organisers thanked its partners at Amajuba District Municipality, Newcastle Municipality and all other sponsors, officials and supporters who contributed to the success of the event. Next year’s race will feature a 42km event.

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