The popular race, organised by Benoni Northerns Athletics Club (BNAC), consisted of a 5km fun run and 10km and 15km routes, and attracted numerous road warriors, both serious and social.
This year’s run was dedicated to the late Nathan Miles, who thoroughly enjoyed running the 5km to create awareness of the disabled and their challenges.
Many family members and friends of the young man took part in the fun run, wearing T-shirts emblazoned with his image, in his memory, and to continue his disability awareness plight.
Brenda Reeves, director at Rowlin National Brokers, who have been the title sponsor of the race for the last six years, said the company is thrilled to have dedicated the race to Miles and to help to give exposure to the Apricot Tree, a special needs education and family support facility in Northmead.
According race organiser Jan Jordaan, the Rowlin National Glow Run was again a terrific success, indicated by the massive field of close to 2 000 people who participated in the 5km run.
“This shows us that the community is getting involved with and supporting the race and really enjoying it,” he said.
He added that approximately 800 runners took on the 10km route and about 450 braved the 15km distance.
“Everything went smoothly with regard to traffic issues and the Metro Police, who were on-board with us, did a great job to ensure this.”
Besides the festivities, there was also the competitive bunch who battled it out for the best times in the open men’s 15km event.
Benoni Harriers Athletic Club’s Resepile Khotle was the first man home, in a blitz quick time of 48 minutes and 31 seconds.
He was followed by last year’s winner and Nedbank Running Club’s Tumelo Mahlangu, who came in at 49 minutes and 17 seconds.
In the open women’s category of the 15km race, it was local talent and Benoni High School matric pupil Robyn Kaltenbrunn, running for KPMG, who took top spot.
She crossed the finish line in a time of 62 minutes and 32 seconds, followed in second place by Enie Molatseli, running for the City of Ekurhuleni, in a time 63 minutes and 41 seconds.
In the shorter 10km men’s category, it was Airports Company South Africa’s Paulos Radebe who got home first, in a time of 33 minutes and 17 seconds, followed by Maxed Elite’s Oscar Sixoka, who placed second in a time of 34 minutes and 54 seconds.
Benoni High’s Kiera Gosling ensured more local pride by winning the women’s 10km in a time of 42 minutes and 13 seconds, ahead of Kempton’s Marilise Vermaak (43 minutes and 50 seconds).
