Basotho wins R’fontein race
It was an athlete from Lesotho who stood out above the rest in the main men's race and Lizzy Babili who stood out for the women at the much-talked-about JM Busha Peace Pledge Marathon held in Greenhills recently.
It was an athlete from Lesotho who stood out above the rest in the main men’s category of the much-talked-about JM Busha Peace Pledge Marathon held at the Greenhills Stadium on 1 May.
Distance options were 42,2km, 10km and a 5,4km fun run.
History was made when the Mohlakeng-based Colossus Athletics and Aerobics Club hosted the second annual JM Busha Peace Pledge Marathon, said to be Africa’s biggest race that day. The Peace Pledge Marathon is being rolled out in all 54 countries in Africa, with the vision of bringing people together to celebrate diverse cultures and to promote peace and unity on the continent, but to put the cherry on top, it will also be a Comrades’ Marathon qualifying race.
Talimo Monesa (My Way) from Lesotho won the men’s 42,2km event in a time of 2 hours, 26 minutes and 58 seconds followed by compatriot Bereng Maqeti in second and time of 2 hours, 27 minutes and 11 seconds. Gaboratanelwe Gaonamong finished third.
Lizzy Babili was the first woman to cross the finish line in the women’s 42,2km event in a time of 3 hours, 6 minutes and 21 seconds, while Lesly Austin placed second about 11 minutes later in a time of 3 hours, 17 minutes and 34 seconds. Angeline Mdatu finished third in a time of 3 hours, 23 minutes and 58 seconds.
The men’s 10km event was a tough outing for local boy Kabelo Melamu from KMPG who had to settle for second spot in a time of 32 minutes and 27 seconds. Joel Mone from the North West won in the colours of Nedbank, while Itumeleng Phala placed third.
Local girls Lelani Roodt, and Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games hopeful Cornelia Joubert – both from Boxer – took first and second place in the women’s 10km event while veteran runner Sarah Mahlangu, a former Two Oceans Marathon winner and four-time Soweto Marathon winner placed third.
But all was not sunshine and roses as the race was marred by controversial organisational issues. It’s said some runners blamed technical challenges and the lack of marshalling for losing. For example, two unhappy runners, Keneilwe Sesing and Kabelo Melamu, felt the distance was more than 10km.
After the race, sponsors as well as the Local Organising Committee (LOC), Colossus Athletics Club, sent out apologies to many of the runners who took part. One such sponsor, Joseph Busha, promised that the event will happen next year and that all mishaps will be rectified.
“This was just a learning curve. This was not deliberate and we will get it right in 2019,” Joseph Busha himself said.
Another thing to look forward to is the announcement that two mayors, Boyce Maneli and Mzi Khumalo have promised to get involved in the race next year. The event will also form part of the Africa Day and Africa Month celebrations.
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