Record numbers at Clearwater Mall Race
Panorama Running Club's annual Clearwater Mall Race attracted a record number of participants – and spectators.
The Panorama Running Club once again put on a sterling Clearwater Mall Race on Saturday, August 23, this year adding a 21km race to commemorate Clearwater Mall’s 21st year in existence.
According to club chairperson Gangatha Mkele, the race was a resounding success.
“The day was well organised with no serious mishaps at all,” he says.
“We managed to attract more people than ever before, among whom was the cream of the running world crop.”
Mkele adds that nearly 2 900 runners took part in the three events.
“The new 21km course alone attracted nearly 600 runners. We will definitely keep the 21km race as part of the line-up for upcoming events, though we may have to tweak the route a little to limit traffic congestion.”
The first event of the day, the 5km race, saw hundreds of runners line up at the starting line.
The top three, all juniors, finished the race in under 17 minutes.
Joshua Madden (U14) took the win in a time of 16:42, followed closely by Keion Venter in 16:49. Both runners finished the race looking fresh and almost ready to go again.
Third place was taken by the first woman finisher, also U14 Izilda Minegen, in 16:58.
The 10km race saw the top two finish in sub-33-minute times.
Boxer Athletics Club runner Andries Sesedi took the win in 32:27, with UJ runner Boikanyo Mothlamme hot on his heels in 32:36.
Fernando Macavele, another Boxer runner, finished in third place in a time of 33:18.
The first woman runner, Boxer Athletics Club runner Cornelia Joubert, took ninth place overall in a time of 39:31.
The 21km race featured the cream of local runners. Nebank runner Kabelo Malamu finished the race in an astonishing 01:08:50, nearly four minutes ahead of second-place winner Kopano Muso (01:14:19) and Honest Mathe (01:14:24) in third.
The first woman over the finish line was Masai Athletics Club runner Valencia Lesego Modiba, who took 33rd overall in a time of 01:35:55.
The route was lined with spectators and supporters loudly cheering runners on while the Honeydew CPF did a sterling job at the various water points and on the road as they kept a watchful eye to ensure the event concluded safely.
