eMalahleni runners turn out in force for Klerkie Brain Gain Race
Nkangala Athletic Academy dominates the 21km podium as runners take to the tar for a school-leavers fundraiser.
Running shoes hit the tar on September 26 as close to 300 athletes lined up for the Klerkie Brain Gain Race at WH de Klerk School.
The event, organised by Eskom Athletic Club and the school, saw 297 entries across three distances – 21km, 10km and a fun run.
“Thank you to everyone who came to the race today,” said Natasha Snyman of the school. “All the funds we are raising are for our school-leavers. Special thanks to all our sponsors for helping us make this a successful day.”
Thanjekwayo and Smit set pace in 10km
It was Nkangala Athletic Academy’s day in the men’s 10km as Gugulethu Thanjekwayo left the field behind to win in a blistering 32:48. Conquerors AC’s Thembinkosi Mavuso chased hard to take second in 33:22, while Coaldust MC’s Junior Shongwe secured third in 37:18. Thanjekwayo also topped the junior category with the same time.
In the 40+ category, Alfred Mahlangu of Emalahleni City Marathon clocked 42:47 to win his age group. The 50+ title went to Lukas Mahlangu of Eskom AC in 42:00, ahead of clubmate Ben Mpuyane in 51:38. In the 60+ division, Willie van Rensburg of Fortis PTA Noord took top honours in 48:27, followed by Matheus Mahlangu of Eskom AC in 59:07. The evergreen Stoney Steenkamp of Taalfees AC proved age is just a number as he won the 70+ category.
In the women’s race, Coaldust MC’s Tianey Smit showed her class, winning both the open and junior categories in 43:44. Nkangala Athletic Academy took the next two spots, with Lindiwe Mahlangu (44:56) second and Khethiwe Mlangeni (47:26) third – the same podium for the open and junior divisions.
In the 40+ category, Ilze Swanepoel of Evander MC won in 52:57, ahead of Analeen Smit of Middelburg Marathon Klub in 1:11:49. Middelburg Marathon Klub dominated the older categories, with Sanie Uys winning the 50+ category in 1:06:48 and Fransie du Toit winning the 60+ category in 53:19. Hanelie van Zyl of Coaldust MC was second in the 60+ division in 1:09:14.
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Nkangala sweeps men’s 21km podium
Nkangala Athletic Academy proved too strong for the field in the 21km race, taking a clean sweep of the overall men’s podium.
Nkosinathi Skhosana led the charge, claiming overall victory in an impressive time of 1:11:19. He was closely followed by his team-mate Sbusiso Mabaso, who clocked 1:11:48 to take second place, while Ntando Sibeko made it an all-Nkangala podium with 1:15:12 in third. Mabaso and Sibeko also took top honours in the junior category.
In the veterans categories, Eskom AC’s Jetro Sithole won the 40+ men’s race in 1:16:52, ahead of clubmate Graham Malinga (1:22:34). Thungela AC’s Refias Molapo won the 50+ category in 2:05:21, while Mkobola AC’s Linda Maphanga took the 60+ title in 1:40:03.
In the women’s race, Eskom AC’s Anne-Marie Matthee was in a class of her own, winning the overall women’s title in 1:53:32. She also won the 40+ category. Emalahleni City Marathon’s Tebogo Gumede finished second overall in 2:07:31, with Midack’s Charne Grobler third in 2:08:44.
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