While most residents were still in bed early on Saturday, a field of 87 runners took off as part of the Pulsesport Carletonville Half Marathon 2021. This year’s marathon, the sixth such event, started and finished at the Carletonville Mall.
Runners could take part in a 21,1 km half marathon and 10 km or five km races. The first part of the race went around Carletonville Extension 9 and, from there, some participants ran out of town via Onyx Drive. Others continued on a route in Carletonville.
Jacob Malefo (Entsika) won the 21,1 km race in a time of 1:09:10. Jabu Nhlapo (Sibanye) was second in a time of 1:14:09) while Fanzo Ndlovu (Sibanye) was third in a time of 1:15:16.
Kele Motshabi (Nedbank) was the first woman in the same distance when she crossed the finish line in a time of 1:34:14.
Maria Shai (Boxer) was second, in a time of 1:42:04, while Seipati Pee was third in a time of 1:43:11.
Folavio Sehohle won the 10 km race in 32:09, with Ryno van Vollenhoven second in 33:05.
A local runner, Lizeth Kolbe of the Carleton Harriers marathon Club, was the first woman over the finish line when she completed the same distance in a time of 52:37.
According to one of the organisers, Bheki Ngwenya, it was difficult to organise the race as they had to comply with Covid-19 regulations.
“Crowd control was the main thing, but we had more than 30 athletes who took part in the virtual run,” he says.
Ngwenya also thanked the sponsors who helped make the event possible.
