Pirate’s tough 21 – a marathon to remember
GREENSIDE – Runners enjoy scenic views and good camaraderie on the tough 21km route.
Sweat and smiles abounded as runners completed the annual Pirates 21km half marathon on 21 February. This year marked the 38th marathon hosted by Pirates Road Running and was sponsored by Credo Wealth.
The race, which starts and finishes at the Pirates Sports Club, is a popular race among individuals training for marathons, such as the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon and the Comrades. Yet, there were many runners who participated for the fun of the run and enjoyed the scenery along the way. Fun runner, Titi Marupings, said, “The run was amazing and full of surprises. It is a beautiful and fun route.”
Here are what other runners tweeted about the marathon:
Performance of the day: 90yr-old Cecily Rootenberg & son Rory finish @Pirates21km… #RESPECT! cc @BruceFordycerun: pic.twitter.com/0d2Vg5qn2I
— Deon Gouws (@DeonGouws_Credo) February 21, 2016
Running is truly the rainbow sport, old young, black white, ladies and gents. Thanks @Pirates21km for a great race
— dave mccullough (@davemculla) February 21, 2016
https://twitter.com/0665e90bbeaf464/status/701319055991513088
First @Pirates21km in the bag, actually really enjoyed those hills! One of the benefits of starting really slowly.
— Michael Sherman (@Golfhackno1) February 21, 2016
After the race, runners could relax at the Pirates Sports Club and support the food stalls. A short prize-giving ceremony was followed by lucky draws. Equal amounts of prize money was given to men and women in their respective categories.
Hennie Booysen, chairperson of Pirates Road Running, said the race attracted the highest number of entrants in the race’s 38 year history with almost a third more than the previous record. “There were in excess of 3 600 entries which is an indication of the growth in road running in general and the growing number of runners who are taking up the challenge of doing one of the country’s toughest half marathons,” Booysen explained.
Race winners for each category:
- Junior men: Kabelo Melamu
- Veteran men (40-49 yrs): SB Hoff
- Master men (50-59 yrs): Andre Bekker
- Grand-master men (60 and above): Andre Jansen
Open men’s category:
- First: Libonto Tootse
- Second: Lucky Mohale
- Third: Pule Maeko
- Veteran women (40-49 yrs): Heather Walden
- Master woman (50-59 yrs): Mari Bruwer
- Grand master woman (60 and above): Virginia Augusting
Open women’s category:
- First: Lebogang Phalula
- Second: Cornelia Joubert
- Third: Kim Laxton-Norton
Lebogang Phalula and Libonto Tootse were the queen and king of the mountain, the first runners to summit the race’s toughest hill, which reaches 1 760m above sea level.
Details: Pirates Sports Club, info@piratesclub.co.za or 011 646 5025.
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