Nkofu flies Boksburg’s flag high at half marathon
Lebogang Nkofu, of the Ramaphosa Athletic Club, brought back the Birchwood Half Marathon title when he crossed the 21.1km finish line to be crowned the 2017 champion on Sunday, March 26.
Nkofu clocked 1:13:19.
Limpopo runner Tlou Peu won last year’s race in a time of 1:07:54, matching that of 2014 winner and long-distance veteran Gert Thys, who rounded off the top three this year.
Participating for his second time in the race, Nkofu (27) leaped from a normal 10km runner in 2016 to half-marathon competitor this year.
Cobie Smith, from Team Vitality, won the women’s race in 1:30:30.
This year marked the seventh edition of the marathon. Race organisers announced there are big surprises in store for the 10th edition and encouraged runners to continue participating.
This year’s race was sold out on 4 000 runners. The first 1 500 entrants received long-sleeved moisture management shirts and every runner received a medal and a goodie bag.
The day also saw R9 960 raised by runners and the Birchwood Hotel for the Ukajede Foundation, which supports crèches in informal settlements.
Quizzed on the seventh edition of the event, race director Kate Wood commented: “The response was incredible! It was outstanding! It was an enormous success. The general feedback, and feedback on social networks, was outstanding.
“The plan is to make the race better each year.”
She also paid tribute to the race’s sponsors, namely the City of Ekurhuleni, No Finance Cars, Garbie and Mangwanani African Spa.
Entries for next year’s race will open in early January.
Other winners:
Men’s 10km: Donald Mashamaite (Bedfordview Country Club), 00:31:08.
Women’s 10km: Cheryl-lynn Ceronie (Kempton Road Runners), 00:41:05.
