Old Eds race pulls in thousands

Once again, the event proved to be one of the most popular on the road running calendar, with thousands of runners signing up for the newly-introduced 5km fun run organised by the King Edward Prepratory School.

Making a showing at the race were well-known road runners, Sonja Laxton, after recovering from her hit and run accident last year; and Frith van der Merwe and Shadrack Hoff.

Zongamele Dyubeni, the first veteran to finish, won the men’s 10km race in a time of 00:31:41.

However, he had a tough time holding off the challenge from Lebogang Edwin Khonkobe, who crossed the line 13 seconds adrift to make it a one-two finish for Nedbank runners.

UJ’s Clinton Swanepoel was just over a minute further back.

In the ladies’ race, again it was Nedbank runners who had two of the first three finishers – Alemtsehay Hailu Kakissa was well clear of second placed Nicole van der Merwe running for Marais Viljoen High School, who was also the first junior across the line, with Adanech Beyene Jemilu third in 00:38:48.

In the 21km men’s race Nedbank, again, dominated the victory podium with the winner, Derocious Makhobalo adding this title to his two victories in 10km races over the past three years.

Makhobalo finished in a time of 01:09:21 which turned out to be a comfortable win ahead of Cool Running’s Don Ndiovu (01:10:34), whilst Thando Ngobo was exactly a minute behind.

In the ladies 21km race, well-known athlete, Rene Kalmer was a comfortable winner, finishing in a time of 01:19:12, with Sunninghill Striders’ Kim Laxton second in at 01:22:53.

Third place went to Andronica Mokgotla in 01:27:10.

Mike Dunk, communications officer for the Old Eds society said, “This must go down as one of the most successful road races held by the society.

“It takes massive organisation to hold an event of this size, and we are extremely grateful to the many volunteers whose assistance went a long way to ensuring the success of this years’ race.”