A cold Sunday morning brought hundreds of runners to the streets of Randburg as the Rand Athletic Club hosted its annual RAC 21 and 10km race, starting at Ferndale on Republic Mall and drawing competitors from clubs across Johannesburg and beyond.

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Rirhandzu Rhangani of the South African Police Service CG was the standout performer of the day, taking the men’s half-marathon title in a time of 1:11:42 at a pace of 3:24 minutes per kilometre. Bongani Dlamini of Entsika AC followed in second place in 1:14:31, with Simon Mpho of Flexible AC rounding out the podium in 1:15:40.

The women’s half-marathon produced an equally convincing winner. Valentia Modiba of Masai AC CGA crossed the line first in 1:36:56, ahead of Rebecca Nakuwa of Nedbank Running Club in 1:37:40. Maria Vilakazi of Waterfall City AC came third in 1:41:14.

Over the shorter 10km distance, Letsepa Prince Madume of the University of Johannesburg AC ran away with the men’s race, finishing in a sharp 31:19. Omo Hlungwane of Waterfall City AC and Albert Kangor of Nedbank Running Club came in second and third respectively, in 32:13 and 32:31. Among the women, Carnelia Joubert of Boxer AC led the field home in 39:26, with Mari Rabie of Pirates Road Running Club taking second in 41:25 and Lettie Seabela of the South African Police Service CG third in 43:44.

But beyond the podium places and finishing times, it was the story of one determined first-time long-distance runner that captured the spirit of the morning. Xihluke Mabasa, spokesperson for the community organisation SCJV, completed the 10km alongside a group of fellow volunteers, each carrying a pledge that stretched well beyond personal fitness.

“As volunteers, we take over a lot of charities, and one of our charities is Malaika,” Mabasa said. “We have pledged that each one of us who runs is going to donate 10 blankets after we complete the race.”

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Five volunteers from SCJV entered the race together, though one had already finished and departed by the time Mabasa spoke to the Randburg Sun. For the group, setting off from Ferndale on Republic Mall was never simply about crossing a finish line. “The purpose behind this run is not just a simple exercise or a fitness routine,” he explained. “We wanted to still make an impact in the lives of those who are less fortunate through this run as well.”

For Mabasa himself, the day was a personal milestone. Having not run further than 5km in three years, he found the course unforgiving, with relentless hills that tested his resolve at every turn. There were moments, he admitted, when stopping felt like the only option.

“There were many times when I was walking, and I thought, ‘Let me give up’. But I remembered we need to finish the run that we have started.”

That resolve carried him to the finish line, and the experience left him with something he had not expected. “Now that I have seen the finish line, there is something I want to do over and over again. It brings so much joy just to finish.”

SCJV hopes to participate in more community runs going forward, with Mabasa saying the group intends to continue using races as a platform for giving back.

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