CDM 4-in-1 Marathon shows growth

A record 2 068 athletes registered for the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) 4-in-1 Marathon hosted at the Polokwane Rugby Fields in the city on Saturday. Athletes assembled at the starting point before 06:00 and were shortly thereafter seen embarking on the challenge over 5, 10, 21,1 and 42,2 km. Competing for attractive prizes sponsored by …

February 22, 2018

2 minutes read

Athletes ready for the challenge at the CDM 4-in-1 Marathon.

A record 2 068 athletes registered for the Capricorn District Municipality (CDM) 4-in-1 Marathon hosted at the Polokwane Rugby Fields in the city on Saturday.
Athletes assembled at the starting point before 06:00 and were shortly thereafter seen embarking on the challenge over 5, 10, 21,1 and 42,2 km. Competing for attractive prizes sponsored by CDM and Lepelle Northern Water, 317 athletes completed the 42,2 km race before the cut-off time, while 362, 415 and 27 athletes respectively finished in time in the 21,1, 10 and 5 km races.
Kenyan runner Moses Kurgat won the 42,2 km in a time of 02:20.51. He was followed by Lutendo Maphoto and William Mokwalakwala with times of 02:22.49 and 03:24.49 respectively. The first lady to finish the 42,2 km run was Joyce Mokebi who also attained 9th position overall in a time of 02:26.37. Second was Siza Rochana, in a time of 03:16.50 followed by Samukeliso Moyo, 03:19.23.
The winner of the 21,1 km race was Tebogo Pulusa in 01:09.11, followed by Jabulane Khoza, 01:11.16 and Thapen Mogale, 01:13.45. Liaiwe Mabona won the women’s category and claimed 11th position overall with a time of 01:24.58. Cat Skosana was 14th overall over 21,1 km in 01:26.40 followed by Gift Ramabele, 01:37.11.
Desmond Mokgobu won the men’s 10 km race in a time of 00:34.02 followed by Collen Mulaudzi and Phuti Sethoma with times of 00:34.30 and 00:34.36 respectively. Lesego Mpshe finished first among the women and in 14th position overall. Her time was 00:38.31, Thabiso Mabau attained 00:41.55 and Hellen Mpanyane was third in 00:44.12.
First to finish the 5 km was Rozanne Koen, 00:29.12, with Mulisa Maligana and Malose Monama in second and third position with finishing times of 00:33.28 and 00:35.50 respectively. Moyaanpzo Chokoe was the second lady to arrive at the winning post in a time of 00:44.11, followed by Mankeke Klako with a time of 00:48.18.
CDM Executive Mayor, John Mpe had an emergency to attend to and was represented by Chief Whip Calvin Masoga and members of the Mayoral Committee. After the event, Mpe congratulated all the winners in the different categories. “Above all, we thank all runners for coming out in numbers to participate in the marathon and for giving it their all to make it to the finish line. It was bigger than the previous year. All the best to those that will have qualified for bigger marathons. Let’s meet again in the 2019 edition,” Mpe said.
Chairperson of Polokwane Athletic Club, Corrie Calitz told Polokwane Observer that he was very happy with the outcome of the event. “We had athletes from over the province, Gauteng and Mpumalanga and the winner hails from Kenya. No serious injuries were reported. The weather was excellent and I am very pleased with the growth in registrations,” Calitz said.

Story and photos: BARRY VILJOEN
>>barryv.observer@gmail.com