Runners take the scenic route through the Halls Estate’s orchards
More than 500 runners almost forgot they were in the city as they put their fitness to the test on this picturesque route just outside Mbombela.
The 32nd Race Through the Orchards saw more than 500 runners make their way through the lush greenery and over the crossing bridges of the Halls Estate on Saturday August 26.
The event featured a 4.9km fun run, a 10km race and a half-marathon (21.1km) race as well.
Sfiso Ngcobo of the City of Mbombela Marathon Club put his best foot forward right from the start of the 21.1km race and finished in the same pace with which he started. He blazed through the orchards to win the race with a staggering time of 01:17:46.7.
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Samuel Mathabatha of Bella’s Athletics Club was short on his heels, with just a minute separating the two. Mathabatha also put on an equally impressive performance, clocking in at 01:18:57.5.
The top three was rounded of by Welcome Hlatswayo, who also ran in the colours of City of Mbombela Marathon Club.
Lowmed Running Club’s Nomvula Sithole also shone in the 21.1 km. She won the ladies race nine minutes ahead of her closest competitor.
The 10km race was dominated by Thulani Lukhuleni of Rob Ferreira Running Club. Lukhuleni has been on form this year, with numerous titles to his name.
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Lovers Hlatshwayo finished in second position, with Thasanqa Hunguana claiming third spot.
A youngster, Ava Oosthuizen, running for Bella’s Athletics Club, was the first junior competitor to cross the line in the 10km and also the first overall female for this distance.
The energy among the runners were exhilarating, with smiles all around.
“The energy and enthusiasm of everyone just made it an awesome day,” Sue Gower of the Nedbank Running Club (LVCC), who organised and hosted the event, told Lowvelder. “Everyone I talked to enjoyed the race and the route. We only received positive feedback.”
The race even saw some runners from as far as Groblersdal coming to run through some of the Lowveld’s famous orchards.
To view all the results, follow these links:
