Jeppe Marathon back with a bang

Runners from all walks of life took to the streets on February 11 for the Balwin Sports Jeppe Marathon at Saheti School.

The marathon’s 42km garnered 900 entries, alongside 1450 entries for the 21km and 1400 runners for the 10km.

The marathon also served as a qualifying event for both the Comrades and Two Oceans races.

Additionally, the 5km George Bizos fun run had about 650 entries which benefitted the George Bizos Saheti Scholarship and Bursary Fund (GBSSBF).

ALSO READ: Local athlete excels at annual Dis-Chem Half Marathon

Joining in on the fun were Professor Damon and Anna Bizos.

Winning the 42km race were Samuel Moloi (men) with a time of 2:20:46 and Melissa Jansen van Vuuren (women) with 3:09:46.

The 21km winners were Lucky Mohale (men) in a time of 1:09:33 and Lebo Phalula (women) in a time of 1:20:11.

Gladden Mzazi won the 10km run in a time of 0:33:29 (men) and Cian Oldknow (women) by 0:36:27.

The George Bizos 5km was won by Sipho Rilityane (men) at 0:22:11 and Samantha du Preez in a time of 0:27:46.

The race last took place in 2020. Race director Bruce King said with Covid-19 a lot of road races lost sponsorships and came off the calendar.

They have since secured a new sponsorship from Balwin Properties.

“The race had been staged at Saheti for about 16 years before Covid struck. It is great to be back and be back at the school. The facilities are marvellous,” he said.

He said they would have loved to receive more entries.

“Being our first year back on the calendar it is always difficult. With our first year with a new sponsor, runners tend to be a bit hesitant. I think in the future this event is going to grow and get bigger.”

ALSO READ: Germiston runners prepare for half-marathon on January 14

King expressed his gratitude to the sponsors and the school.

Fourteen-year-old 10km runner John Neophitou said the race was fun though a bit hard.

GBSSBF assists learners from disadvantaged backgrounds with bursaries or scholarships. Damon explained that the fund was set up a while ago for learners who cannot afford the school fees at Saheti.

“Over the years there have been at least five bursaries at the high school. We run various fundraising events to raise funds for deserving learners.

“For instance, on my father’s 80th birthday, we had a gala which was attended by the late former President Nelson Mandela,” said Damon.

The George Bizos marathon started as an internally driven Saheti School initiative.

“During Covid-19 it had stopped but we are pleased that we have Jeppe and Balwin helping us with this mini marathon and we hope that it is going to grow to greater heights. We encouraged people to join us next year.

“The event was well organised, with lovely cool weather and it was nice to see people from all walks of life and people who are super fit and those who aren’t enjoying the day.”

.