Rufus Photo finishes his race and year in high spirits
The Polokwane resident is happy about the accolades he collected this year, and already has his goals set for the next 12 months.
POLOKWANE – Rufus Photo from Polokwane was announced as the overall winner of the 42km race of the Magoebaskloof Plunge in Tzaneen on November 19.
Photo outpaced 300 runners from various clubs in Polokwane and other areas in the province to win the race in a time of 2:28:08.
“This was my last major race of the year and I am happy to have won it. I look forward to other races next year. I will train over the December holiday for the local marathons like the Mall of the North Race and the Mayoral Race. I want to be ready for those races because I am not employed now and I rely on these marathons for an income,” Photo said
He says he hopes to replicate his 2014 and 2016 Comrades Marathon success where he finished in fifth position.
“This year I did not do well in the Comrades due to the heat and the way it was structured. I am happy that next year the Comrades Marathon will take place in June, which is a good time for the marathon because the weather conditions will be conducive for most of the athletes. I want to do well and hopefully finish the race in the top 10.”
Pearl Hughes from Polokwane Athletics Club won the women’s 42km race in a time of 3:34:21 while Elsabe Cronje from Pietersburg Road Runners settled for the third position for women u/50 years in a time of 3:40.02.
Other local athletes who did well at the event were Lize-Marie Opperman from Pietersburg Road Runners who took ninth position in a time of 4:10:06 in the 17km race while Caryn Rathman from Polokwane Athletics Club settled for 10th position in a time of 4:11:28.
