Discovery Vitality Run Series kicks off with Old Eds Road Race
HOUGHTON – More than 5 000 runners participated in the Old Eds Road Race on 6 August.
The Discovery Vitality Run Series kicked off on 6 August with the Old Eds Road Race in Houghton.
About 5 500 runners participated on the day in three different races including a 5km fun run, and 10km and 21km routes. The race has become increasingly popular with both top athletes and novices.
The Vitality Run Series was started by Discovery to encourage people to improve their health by participating in physical activities. The Old Eds race is the first of four races which will be held throughout August and September. The other three races will be the Wanderers Road Race, the Randburg Harriers Challenge and the Rockies Road Race.
The series also provides Vitality points to runners who participate. Runners who participate in the 5km run will receive 800 points, 1 000 points will be awarded to runners participating in the 10km race and 2 000 points will go to runners who take part in the 21km race.
Mark Mohring, chairman of the Old Edwardian Athletics Club, said the day was very vibrant with many runners choosing to hang around after their races to listen to the live band and watch the Land Rover activation.
The 10km and 21km race kicked off at 8am with runners from both categories running the same route, however, those doing the 21km race did two laps.
Kabelo Mulamo of KPMG running club was the first winner of the day completing the 10km race in 00:31:38. In second and third place were Jeremiah Moshwetsi and Kemane Khunonyaeni who completed the race in 00:31:45 and 00:33:28 respectively.
Reneilwe Sesing, also of KPMG was the first female winner of the day with a finishing time of 00:39:46. In second and third place were Refilwe Molefu and Kate Reed respectively.
The 21km men’s race was a close call with Tsdtang Maine of Nedbank only just beating Rocky Road Runners’ Puleng Mayego with a time of 1:08:34. In third was Derocious Makobanen (1:11:08).
Mamorolo Choko of Nedbank finished the women’s 21km race in 1:19:41, a full eight minutes ahead of Kim Norton of Rocky Road Runners with Maria Vilakazi (1:30:38) in third place.
Mohring added that he was disappointed that many runners who had signed up for the runs had not shown up leaving some who wished to participate unable to.
To find out more information about the Discovery Vitality Run Series you can visit https://www.discovery.co.za/vitality/runseries
Let us know if you took part in the Old Eds Road Race on WhatsApp 079 439 5345
