Braving the chill: Runners hit the streets of W’aria for golden race
Although they didn’t take first place, two local athletes still secured podium finishes at the cold and competitive second annual Ismo Athletics Club Golden Race in Westonaria.
Despite icy weather conditions, hundreds of runners put up a brave face to still take part in the second annual Ismo Athletics Club Golden Race in Westonaria on July 5.
Runner Gladwin Mzazi from Boxer Athletics Club beat the strong field of athletes in the 10km, crossing the finish line in a time of 29 minutes and 31 seconds. Tiisetso Mokhoma, the winner of the recent West Rand Half Marathon, had to be content with second spot and a time of 29 minutes and 50 seconds. Home ground advantage was not good enough for local top-flight athlete Kabelo Melamu, from Nedbank Running Club, who had to settle for third place in a time of 30 minutes and 18 seconds.
Another local athlete, Cornelia Joubert, had to settle for second spot in the women’s section with a time of 36 minutes and 41 seconds. This allowed Kebogile Motshabi from Pan-African Resource to win the women’s encounter in a time of 36 minutes and 29 seconds. Third place was taken by Tshenolo Sebueng, also from Boxer AC, who clocked a time of 40 minutes and 35 seconds.
“I’m happy to have won the race, considering that I recently returned from the Comrades. I haven’t had any training since, so it is satisfying,” said Kebogile.
“It was a flat course, but fell short of winning the race. I still gave it my all on the day. I am now looking forward to the SA Half Marathon Championships and the last two Central Gauteng Athletics Cross Country League events here in Westonaria, as well as the final event in Tsakane,” concluded Cornelia.
