Qhubeka chair grateful to community for successful race
This was the club's first race and hosted only the 5km and 10km race. Around 600 runners were in attendance.
The chairperson of Sunward Park-based Qhubeka Athletic Club, Benzi Tenza, thanked the clubs and individuals for their overwhelming support at the club’s inaugural Human Rights Day race held at the School of Achievement in Germiston, on March 21.
According to Tenza, they were anticipating less than 400 runners as per the Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) regulations for first-time hosts. But the turnout, which he said surprised them, was around 600.
“I always say I can have the best vision but I need people to achieve it. That’s what people from Gauteng did on Tuesday by supporting our race. We are thankful to them for making it a successful and memorable day,” he said.
Tenza said they owed their success to the Ekurhuleni running clubs like the Boksburg Athletic Club, Daveyton Hearts and Benoni Northerns Athletic Club, among others, for helping them pass their test.
“This was our first race and a test from the CGA. That’s why it was only 5km and 10km races. We passed and next year, we are hosting a 21.1km race.”
Although Bright Mikolongwe from the BNAC won the men’s 10km after clocking 32:59 for the gold medal, Qhubeka’s Ziyavuya Mwahla received the loudest cheers from the home crowd for his second-place finish. Ntakuseni Mudau completed the podium in third place.
Ziningi Ndlovu from Xcel Athletics Club was the first woman to finish. She was followed by the BAC duo Anacelia Goncalves in second and Caronn Harris in third.
Neo Khanye from Gallopers won the 5km fun run, while Suzette Jansen van Rensburg won the women’s race.
Tenza explained the club managed to achieve many of its objectives, which included uniting running clubs from Ekurhuleni and promoting fitness and health.
“We chose March 21 to host this race to celebrate Human Rights Day and to bring unity to clubs across the region.
The chairperson stated their key objective is to increase youth participation in their events to help in the fight against substance abuse.
Tenza thanked the community for supporting the event, adding that despite not offering big prizes for the winners, the club was proud of the unity shown by all those in attendance.
“I want to thank my executive and the community for their spirit of ubuntu,” he said.
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