Over 3 000 runners brave the chill at Mall of the North marathon
Local athletes secured top spots at the Mall of the North Marathon in Polokwane, with over 3 000 runners competing across multiple distances.
POLOKWANE – Local athletes made their mark at this year’s annual Mall of the North Marathon, hosted by the Polokwane Athletics Club (PAC) on Saturday.
Despite the chilly weather, 3 250 runners – from seasoned athletes to amateurs – took part in the event.
While the men’s 21.1 km race top 10 was dominated by runners from elsewhere, Modibe Mamabolo from the University of Limpopo (UL) brought pride by securing 10th place in the men’s 42.2 km marathon preceded by Rufus Photo from Moletjie at second place and Joseph Bor at fourth.
The local women had a strong presence. According to results from Peak Timing, three PAC runners – Jenewa Raphala, Mancha Mothomogolo, and Mmamokgoshi Mogano – secured spots within the top 5, 6 and 7 in the women’s 42.2 km race
Notably, Raphala overtook Makoma Lebea from Zwakala Athletics Club to claim fourth place, pushing Lebea into fifth in the 21.5km. Alex Aphane, an unaffiliated runner according to Peak Timing, won the 10 km with a time of 34:14, while Tebogo Pilusa from Dwarsrivier Mine Athletics Club bagged the 21.1 km in 1:07:33.
Local women continued to impress across all brackets. Martinique Cronje from Pietersburg Road Runners won the 21.1 km in 1:26:25.
Annah Maponya from UL finished fifth, and Jean-Mari Williams, also from Pietersburg Road Runners, took eighth spot.
In the 10 km women’s race, two local athletes broke into the top 10. Joyce Ntzhitenzhe from Pietersburg Road Runners earned an impressive third place, while Evidence Mudzamiri from PAC came in fifth.
PAC’s Thabana Mokgohloa said they appreciated the support from all runners and promised to deliver a spectacular event in terms of logistics even in the future.
Top three results across all categories:
Men 21.5 km
1. Joseph Bor.
2. Timothy Munzhelele.
3. Ananius Masila .
Female 42.2 km and 21.5 km
1. Mamosebetsi Khajoane.
2. Rosaline Isaiah.
3. Puleng Khumalo.
Men 42.2.km
1. Timothy Munzhelele.
2. Rufus Photo.
3. Charles Matome Moloto.
Men 21.1 km
Tebogo Pilusa.
2. Polokwane Mphunye.
3. Isaiah Moshia.
Women 21.1 km
1. Martinique Cronje.
2. Welma Nkuna.
3. Johanna Sethowa.
Men 10 km
1. Alex Aphane.
2. Maphuti Majetja.
3. Makwena Kobo.
Women 10km
1. Kamogelo Mogano.
2. Sedzani Maluta.
3. Joyce Netzhithenzhe.
