719 runners took to the road to take on the always popular 2023 Berts Bricks Great Brick Run on Saturday, 21 January.

The usual suspects in the 10km and 21km races once again put their hands up with some impressive performances. The start and finish took place at the iconic Snowflake Building.

The 21.1km race for women was won by Adele Broodryk (Murray & Roberts) in a time of 1:18:30. The third placed 2022 Comrades finisher showed her class finishing around 15 minutes ahead of Minette Bell (Potch Track Club). Bell completed the race in 1:33:24. Tanya Viljoen (Run Walk for Life) finished third in 1:35:21.

The men were also excellent in the 21.1km race with Mojalefa Ditshwele of 295 Running Club based in Ikageng, taking the win in 1:15:12. Pakesa Ngcanwa (Top Runners SA) came second in 1:20:57 with Willem van Rooyen (Boxer) taking third in 1:21:06.

Werner Oosthuizen (Tuks Athletics Club) was the first man to cross the line with a brick in hand. He did this in a time of 1:21:45. The first women to cross the line with the coveted brick was Jessica Aylward (Runzone Athletics Club). She finished in 1:49:13. Karle Bell (1:49:17) and Shadrack Mokorwane (1:35:26) were the first athletes from Berts Bricks Athletics Club to finish with a brick in hand. The first hundred runners to finish the 21.1km race with a brick in hand took home a six pack of beer as a reward.

Photos: Wouter Pienaar

Lorette Pretorius (Murray & Roberts) was the first woman across the line in the 10km race in 44:27.07. Suzanne Mulder (Berts Bricks Athletics Club) finished second in 46:40.03. Mandie Kruger (Laerskool Baillie Park) took an impressive third in 47:35.

Mogomotsi Segomelo (Boxer) took the win in the 10km race in the men’s section in a time of 37:01.02. Schalk Pienaar (Protea Athletics Club) took second in 40:44.04, with Isak Hitge taking bronze with a time of 40:51.05.

Elzabe Jansen van Vuuren (Berts Bricks Athletics Club) was the top 10km walker finishing in 1:37:23.

Chris de Bruin (Berts Bricks Athletics Club) was the best 10km walker for men crossing the line in 1:32:38.