The exciting Athletics South Africa Speed Series recently entertained locals with athletics action out of the top drawer at the Puk McArthur athletics stadium in Potchefstroom on Wednesday 15 March.
The race of the evening was undoubtedly between Pukke’s Pieter Conradie and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala. Makwala has competed in the Olympic Games and is a seasoned athlete. It was to the surprise of many that Conradie and Makwala battled tooth and nail across the final 60 metres.
Makwala looked to have the win covered but Conradie fought hard in the final 30 metres. The athletes could not be separated, clocking in with exactly the same time of 45.75. Conradie was over the moon as he almost beat one of the sprinters he regards as one of his heroes.

One of the other highlights under the moonlit sky was the sprint sensation, Akani Simbine’s fine run in the men’s 200 metre race with a time of 20.32, beating Botswana’s Isaac Makwala and Tuks teammate, Clarence Munyai. Simbine qualified for the World Championships with his time. Pukke’s Sunette Viljoen did the same with a throw of 62.83 to book her spot at London 2017.

Photos: Roger Sedres/Image SA

Pukke’s Henco Uys was once again in top form and completed a double this month with another win in the 800 metre race, adding to his victory in Varsity Athletics earlier this month.
Jerry Motsau of the Puk was once again untouchable in the 3 000 metres and picked up a victory in a time of 08:04.57.
Caster Semenya impressed all and sundry with her performance in the Women’s 3 000 metre race, picking up a victory in a trademark race where she stayed at the back of the pack, biding her time, before launching an assault in the final 200 metres.
‘This is part of my training because we took a longer rest (in the off- season) and we’re a month behind, so I just need to keep working,’ she said.
Denise Hartman was another star athlete for Pukke in the 100 metre hurdles as she clocked a time of 14.51, ahead of Joné Kruger and Bea-Marie Schutte to complete an all-Puk podium.