A race to the end

POLOKWANE – Athletes who are committed to qualify and compete in this year’s Comrades Marathon had their last chance with the popular Nguni Grill road race over 48km last Friday.

Mapoto Lutendo from the Greater Elim Club kicked dust in his rivals’ faces, beating them by six seconds to win in a time of 03:00:03.

Following in second place from the Twickenham Club was Lazarus Seroka in a time of 03:06:45, with Tzaneen runner, Stephen Madiye, coming in third, less than a second behind Seroka in a time of 03:07:22.

Not only Comrades Marathon runners participated on the day, many people participated just for the fun of it.

Athletes not only competed in the 48km race, but there were also shorter distances for less serious runners to compete in, being the 21,1 km, 10 km and a 5 km races.

Less than 40 days remain before the Comrades Marathon commences in Kwazulu-Natal for the 90th time.

Polokwane Athletic Club chairperson, Callie Swart, thanked everyone who contributed towards the success of this year’s Nguni Grill road race. Swart said he estimated in the region of 1 450 athletes participated in this year’s race.

Results:

Men’s 48 km race:

Men 40 years and over:

1. Emmanuel Matumba (03:12:16).

2. Abram Matibidi in a time of 03:34:16.

Men 50 years and over:

1. Lazarus Seroka in a time of 03:06:45.

2. Israel Madibana in a time of 03:29:58.

Men 60 years and over:

1. Johannes Mosehla in a time of 04:21:21.

2. Neels Venter in a time of 05:10:57.

Women’s 48 km race:

Women’s open:

1. Pearl Hughes in a time of 04:05:51.

2. Melanie Mellville in a time of 04:11:43.

3. René Yiangou in a time of 04:41:42.

Women 40 years and over:

1. Melanie Melville in a time of 04:11:43.

2. Colinda Potgieter in a time of 04:57:10.

Women 50 years and over:

1. Jane Mudau in a time of 05:25:43.

Men’s 21 km race:

Men’s open:

1. Mogale Ramainya.

2. Rufus Photo.

Men 40 years and older:

1. Job Davhana.

Men 50 years and older:

1. David Kobjane.

Men 60 years and older:

1. Laurence Mphela.

Women’s 21 km race:

Women’s open:

1. Hilda Molokomme.

2. Khanyisile Simelane.

Women 40 years and older:

1. Estelle Geerkens.

Women 50 years and older:

1. Amanda Kruger.

Women 60 years and older:

1. Felicity Roberts.

Women’s junior category:

1. Hilda Molokomme.

Men’s 10 km race:

Men’s open:

1. Emmanuel Ramohlane.

2. Dingaan Robinson.

Men 40 years and older:

1. Joseph Moloto.

Men 50 years and older:

1. Bobby Sacco.

Men 60 years and older:

1. Johan van Graan.

Men’s junior category:

1. Emmanuel Ramohlale.

Men’s walker category:

1. Martin Bergh.

Women’s 10 km race:

Women’s open:

1. Leandré Jansen van Rensburg.

2. Makwabe Seipati.

Women 40 years and older:

1. Elizna Kotze.

Women 50 years and older:

1. Rosa Viljoen.

Women 60 years and older:

1. Annetjie van Wyk.

Junior women:

1. Anneret Jansen van Rensburg.

Women walker:

1. Linda Were.