Veteran runner Ludwick Mamabolo bags the gold in MotN race
The Mall of the North marathon attracted over 2 450 runners from various running clubs making it the biggest turnout so far.
POLOKWANE – Veteran runner and 2012 Comrades Marathon winner, Ludwick Mamabolo proved that he still has a lot of fuel in his running tank when he outran fellow runners to win the 42km of the Mall of the North marathon held at the centre on Saturday.
The 46-year-old crossed the finish line in time of 02:34:12.
“I am happy to have won the marathon. I ran with good athletes and the likes of Rufus Photo. We pushed each other on the road. Yes, I will be going to the Comrades Marathon this year, not to add numbers, but to compete.”
Philani Buthelezi from the Murray and Roberts running club in Pretoria won the 21km race in a time of 01:07:58.
The 10km race was won by Tebogo Pilusa in a time of 0:30:05.
Buthelezi said he was happy to have won the 21km: “I had a good run and all went well. I won’t be competing in the Comrades Marathon, as my focus is on shorter distances”.
The marathon attracted over 2 450 runners from various running clubs.
According to Corrie Calitz, the chairperson of Polokwane Athletic Club and organiser of the event, they were impressed by the turnout this year.
“We had 2 450 runners on the day. The turnout shows that there is a need for running events in the city. Most of the runners are longing for events. This is the biggest turnout we have had by far. Over the past years we have been around 1 600 runners of fewer. We want to thank everyone who participated.”
He added that they have ordered medals for those who have not received their on the day.
Mari Nel, the marketing manager of Mall of the North thanked all the runners who participated.
“Everything went well. The runners came and everyone was happy to be part of the event.”
