Qhubeka Athletic Club’s Kabelo Mwahla and Jeppe Quondam’s Lauren Quinn won the Tommy Malone Memorial Road Race men’s and women’s 15km at Boksburg City Stadium on October 13.
Mwahla powered to victory in a flat 49:00 for a new PB in the distance to win the men’s race.
Quinn led the women’s event from the gun to the tape, clocking 59:59 for the win.
Men’s race
Mwahla was part of a group chasing the leading pair of Michael Pienaar and Heinrich Kamffer past Parklands Estate in Jubilee Road, but after 2km it became a three-horse race as the Qhubeka top runner, along with Hollywood AC runner Kopano Muso and Bright Mikolongwe of Nedbank Running Club took the lead.
However, on the 4km mark, Mwahla dropped Muso and Mikolongwe and led from there until the finish to win the race, clocking his second victory in two weeks, after winning the Fred Morrison Race in Germiston on September 29.
Veteran runner Muso clocked 49:39 for the second spot and Mikolongwe crossed the line in 50:51 for third place.
Reflecting on the race and his victory, Mwahla said it was a good challenge which he used as a time trial to prepare for the Tembisa Mile on October 26.
“It makes me happy that this year I have achieved milestones in the 5km, 10km, 21.1km and now the 15km. It was a good preparation for the Tembisa. I am going to give them a challenge there,” he said.
Sharing his goals for next year, Mwahla would like to run the 10km under 30 minutes but his main goal is to improve his time in the 21.1km as he looks to tackle the Totalsports Two Oceans half-marathon in April.
“I am planning to run the Two Oceans half-marathon. I’m fighting to at least participate in the race, running the 21.1km under 68 minutes.”
Women’s race
Quinn looked untroubled at the start. She settled behind the front runners on the stretch in Jubilee Road after taking the lead from the gun and held on throughout.
While the route presented some challenges, she ran comfortably and eventually crossed the line almost six minutes ahead of runner-up Pamela Gwebu (01:05:01) of Xcel AC, to finish 16th overall.
Lauren Dance completed the top three in 01:06:29.
“I was going for time today and not for position. I am happy. It’s always nice to get an extra reward, which builds time. It is fantastic to be the first lady,” said Quinn.
This was Quinn’s last race of the year and she will begin her preparation for next year’s Comrades Marathon.
Laerskool Baanbrekker learners Kai Hattingh and Nkateko Khoza won the women’s and men’s 5km fun run.
The race attracted over 560 runners and was organised by the Boksburg Athletic Club (BAC) in honour of the club’s first president and 1966 Comrades Marathon winner Tommy Malone.
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