Firstly, the record for the number of participants at the race was broken with over 12 500 runners and walkers completing the event on an overcast and hot day.
Secondly, the men’s 21km record on the new course was broken by Lucky Mohale.
The Boxer runner shaved off 0.86 seconds of his winning time from the 2016 21km race to set the new best time by finishing in one hour, five minutes and 59 seconds.
He was followed by a further 3 172 finishers of the 21km distance.
Nedbank’s Xolisa Tyali took second place in the 21km with a time of one hour, six minutes and 22 seconds while KMPG’s Philani Buthelezi finished third in a time of one hour, six minutes and 31 seconds.
Patience Murowe of Nedbank made it a Zimbabwean one, two, three in the women’s 21km race.
She conquered the distance in a time of one hour, 18 minutes and four seconds ahead of compatriots Rudo Mhonderwa of Maxed Elite and fellow Nedbank runner Rutendo Nyahora.
A further 3 249 completed the 42km distance, including the new 2017 Johnson Crane Marathon champion Cool Running veteran Johannes Kekana, who crossed the finish line in a time of two hours, 24 minutes and 32 seconds.
WATCH the runners in the 42km/21km take to the road:
He crossed the finish line ahead of last year’s marathon winner Charles Tjiane of Maxed Elite who came in at two hours, 24 minutes and 54 seconds.
Former Benoni Harriers runner Retsepile Khotle, now of Team Vitality, rounded off the Top Three in the marathon with a time of two hours, 26 minutes and 28 seconds.
City of Ekurhuleni runner Enie Manzini was the first woman home in the marathon.
She finished in a time of three hours, one minute and 24 seconds.
Manzini was followed by KMPG’s Marlize du Plessis and Zimbabwean Samukeliso Moyo, who was also the first veteran woman home.
The 2017 Johnson Crane 10km also allowed for the South African Cross-Country Trials to take place with athletes battling it out for places on the national team that will compete at the World Cross Country Championships in Kampala in March.
Thabang Mosiako won the men’s race and Kesa Molotsane won the women’s race.
Race organiser Ashvin Jivan said the 35th running of the Johnson Crane road running and walking event was “a bumper one in terms of record breaking on all fronts”.
“This race is definitely heading in the right direction and our next priority and intention is to make it inclusive of everyone on the East Rand,” he said.
“The magnitude of the event is lending itself to become one of the sporting highlights on the calendar.”
He expressed gratitude to the residents and motorists for their tolerance adding that only a few minor incidents took place.
“To our sponsors Johnson Crane, Shereno Printers, the Eastern Cricket Union, event companies who provided their services, companies manning the water stations, charity groups, food vendors and last but not least the real heroes who participated, the athletes, thank you.”
He also expressed the club’s desire for full road closures in 2018.
Results:
10KM :
Men:
Open: 1 Thabang Mosiako (Nedbank) 29:29; 2 Joel Mmone (Nedbank) 29:58; 3 Precious Mashele (AGN) 30:02.
Veterans: 1 Shadrack Hoff (Boxer) 32:16; 2 Simon Mpholo (Nedbank) 32:24.
Masters: 1 George Mooi (Gallopers) 34:19.
Grandmasters: 1 Daniel Matshwene (Nedbank) 46:59.
Juniors: 1 Kabelo Seboko (CGA) 30:17; 2 Dan Malebona (AGN) 30:34; 3 Ryan Mphahlele (CGA) 30:49.
Walkers: 1 Tumisang Pule (Tuks) 47:12; 2 Nkosinathi Ncokazi (Harambe) 49:51; 3 Louis Khwela (RAC) 50:36.
Women:
Open: 1 Kesa Molotsane (AFS) 35:12; 2 Louisa Labello (AGN) 35:17; 3 Sherilene Gelerblom (ACNW) 35:24.
Veterans: 1 Marilise Vermaak (Kempton) 43:02; 2 Miriam Mooki (Temp) 46:10.
Masters: 1 Julie Soicher (Rockies) 43:26.
Grandmasters: 1 Deidre Larkin (Randburg) 59:51.
Juniors: 1 Lyndie Roelofse (CGA) 37:29; 2 Casey Bosman (Benoni High) 41:23; 3 Bongeka Magubane (Ubuhle) 43:49.
Walkers: 1 Lesley van Buuren (Wanderers) 59:58; 2 Udelle de Winnaar (UJ) 63:09; 3 Ronel Viljoen (Tuks) 63:11
21.1KM :
MEN:
OPEN: 1. Lucky Mohale – Boxer – 01;05;59 ; 2. Xolisa Tyali – Nedbank – 01;06;22 ; 3. Philani Buthelezi – KPMG – 01;06;31.
VET: 1. Zongamele Dyubeni – Rockies – 01;11;38 ; 3. Justin Chitake – Maxed Elite -01;12;55.
MASTER: 1. Reginald Ngobesi – 01;14;36.
GM: 1. Andre Jansen – Gauteng Striders – 01;31;09.
WALKERS: 1. Sizwe Ndebele – Tuks – 01;39;38 ; 2. Mzwakhe Mavundla – UJ – 01;40;38 ; 3. Thando Lumkhwana – Transnet – 01;56;40.
WOMEN:
OPEN: 1. Patience Murowe {ZIM} – Nedbank – 01;18;04 ; 2. Rudo Mhonderwa {ZIM} – Maxed Elite – 01;18;10 ; 3. Rutendo Nyahora {ZIM} – Nedbank – 01;20;40.
VET: 1. Tabitha Tsatsa {ZIM} – Maxed Elite – 01;23;51 ; 2. Jenni Kruse – Sunninghill – 01;31;22.
MASTER: 1. Ann Thom – Jeppe – 01;54;14.
GM: 1. Debbie Blake – Runavaton – 02;02;19.
WALKERS: 1.Thatisimo Khele – RAC – NTT ; 2. Elsa Meyer – Irene – 02;25;34 ; 3. Diana Boyd – RWFL – 02;51;29.
42.2KM:
MEN:
OPEN: 1. Johannes Kekana (also 1st. VET} – Cool Running – 02;24;32 ; 2. Charles Tjiane {ALSO 2nd VET. } – Maxed Elite – 02;24;54 ; 3. Retsepile Khotle – TEAM Vitality – 02;26;28.
VET: 1. Johannes Kekana – Cool Running – 02;24;32 ; 2. Charles Tjiane – Maxed Elite – 02;24;54.
MASTER: 1. Moses Rangwaga – Scaw – 03;02;1.
GM: 1. Gideon Radebe – Anglo – 03;06;21.
WALKERS: 1. Mthunzi Mnisi – Transnet – 04;05;11 ; 2. Jeffrey Manamela – Alberton – 04;32;02 ; 3. Hans Joythe – Solidariteit – 05;13;35.
WOMEN:
OPEN: 1.Enie Manzini – City of Ekurhuleni – 03;01;24 ; 2. Marlize du Plessis – KMG – 03;04;18 ; 3. Samukeliso Moyo (Zim) {Also 1st VET.} – 03;05;05.
VET. : 1. Samukeliso Moyo {Zim} – 03;05;05 ; 2. Salome Cooper – Born2Run – 03;06;00.
MASTER : 1. Jane Mudau – Faranani A.C. – 03;36;18. WOMEN: 1. Val Watson – Runavation – 03;44;49.
WALKERS : 1. Sandra Steenkamp – Voortrekker – 04;52;46.
CLICK HERE for a GALLERY of images from the Johnson Crane Marathon.
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