Mailola is the king of the Johnson Crane Marathon
The 32nd running of the annual Johnson Crane Marathon took place in the early hours of the morning on Sunday, January 26.
Close on 10 000 road warriors took to the streets of Benoni, to run the race organised by Benoni Harriers Athletic Club.
The overcast and breezy weather on the morning provided perfect conditions for road running and the race also attracted some legends of the running scene, like Frith van der Merwe, Anne Bellamusto and Bruce Fordyce.
Nedbank runner Africa Mailola was the overall winner of the 42.2km marathon, in a speedy time of two hours, 22 minutes and 47 seconds (the second fastest finish ever on the course).
He was followed by fellow Nedbank runner Odwa Tunyiswa (two hours, 23 minutes and 53 seconds) and Cool Runnings runner Thapelo Mofokeng, who crossed the finish line in two hours, 24 minutes and 12 seconds.
“The race went well for me and I am very happy with how I ran,” said the victorious Mailola after the race.
“I used this race as preparation for the Two Oceans Marathon in April, so I will look to continue my good form.”
Ethiopian runner Alemtsehay Haily (Nedbank) stormed home to break the women’s 42km course record in a blitz quick time of two hours, 50 minutes and 13 seconds
She was followed by Tshifhiwa Malobola (Toyota), who finished in two hours, 58 minutes and 55 seconds, and Julanie Basson (also of Toyota), who had a time of three hours, one minute and 43 seconds.
Another Nedbank runner, Xolisa Tyali, was the first male runner to complete the 21.1km event, in a time of 64 minutes and 46 seconds.
He was followed by Desmond Mokgabu, of Maxed Elite, who came in, in a time of 65 minutes and 13 seconds.
In the women’s 21.1km open race, it was Christine Kalmer, of Nedbank, who finished first.
She achieved a time of 78 minutes and 51 seconds and was followed by Sunninghill’s Kim Laxton, who finished in 79 minutes and 55 seconds.
Race organiser Ashwin Jivan said that this year’s Johnson Crane Marathon was one of the biggest that has ever been organised.
“I was happy with the turnout and the weather was brilliant for road running,” he added.
“Thank you to the runners who came out in their numbers during these difficult economic times and the people of the Greater Benoni who supported the event.”
He thanked Johnson Crane for their continued support, the other sponsors who helped make the event successful and the local clubs for their great cooperation and for making the Johnson Crane Marathon a truly East Rand affair.
The results of the 42.2km and 21.1km events are:
- 42km: Men, open: 1 Africa Mailola (Nedbank) 2:22:47, 2 Odwa Tunyiswa (Nedbank) 2:23:53, 3 Thapelo Mofokeng (Cool Runnings) 2:24:12, 4 Elijah Mogoboya (Nedbank) 2:28:59, 5 Vusi Malobola (Maxed Elite) 2:29:39.
Veterans: 1 Hector Mahlangu (Cool Runnings) 2:31:23, 2 Never Matiya (Florida) 2:34:08.
Masters: 1 Steve Motau (Nedbank) 2:53:44.
Grandmasters: 1 Willem Janse van Rensburg (GCH) 3:51:56.
Women, open: 1 Alemtsehay Haily (Nedbank) 2:50:13, 2 Tshifhiwa Malobola (Toyota) 2:58:55, 3 Julanie Basson (Toyota) 3:01:43, 4 Carly Kent (Sunninghill) 3:15:42, 5 Vanessa Bowman (Kempton) 3:17:43.
Veterans: 1 Vanessa Bowman (Kempton) 3:17:43, 2 Ronel van Graan (Krugersdorp) 3:25:51.
Masters: 1 Leonie Jurgens (BNAC) 3:31:40.
Grandmasters: 1 Lynette Sinclair (Fourways) 5:20:24
- 21km: Men, open: 1 Xolisa Tyali (Nedbank) 64:46, 2 Desmond Mokgabu (Maxed Elite) 65:13, 3 Retsepile Khotle (SCAW) 67:06.
Veterans: 1 Sipho Ncube (Maxed Elite) 69:24, 2 Johannes Kekana (Toyota) 71:01.
Masters: 1 Tony Silva (BCC) 79:56.
Grandmasters: 1 Mike Hirst (Striders) 89:14.
Women, open: 1 Christine Kalmer (Nedbank) 78:51, 2 Kim Laxton (Sunninghill) 79:55, 3 Gillian Sieling (Nedbank) 86:57.
Veterans: 1 Gillian Sieling (Nedbank) 86:57, 2 Paula Quinsee (Compress Sport) 92:52.
Masters: 1 Jane Mudau (Nedbank) 92:15.
Grandmasters: 1 Liz Ruickbie (Nedbank) 1:41:14.
