Thousands sweat it out during Joburg’s toughest 21km
GREENSIDE – The 41st installment of the Pirates 21km race was as brutal as it's been since 1978.
Johannesburg runners had an early start for the Pirates 21km race, Johannesburg’s toughest half marathon.
Motorists between Greenside and Northcliff also experienced their share of unusual early morning traffic from 6am.
Runners of clubs across Johannesburg arrived in their running gear at the start line near the club on 18 February to run the route with an elevation gain of 370m.
@Pirates21km The hills after 9km were not easy at All🏃🏾♀️still wondering how I even survived😰 pic.twitter.com/EBvVc0scW5
— IG:tinyiko_mohale (@tinyikom1) February 19, 2018
This year the run was in its 41st year and its route has not changed since 1978.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCC9vn9Eyq7/?tagged=pirates21km
The gruelling route has been said to be used as a test for serious runners to measure their fitness for upcoming marathons.
One of the toughest sections of the run was between the 12km and 14km marks going up the Northcliff Hill comically known as the French Alps, walking or crawling section. Many runners have to bring their pace down to a walk to get up the steep gradient.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BCCqFSMifSM/?tagged=pirates21km
The half marathon offers a junior category for teenagers over 16, right up to runners who qualify for grandmasters level of which many were seen by the Northcliff Melville Times on the day.
Of course, no sporting event is complete without a food, drinks and entertainment at the end of putting one’s body to the test.
The race ended with exactly that at the Pirates Sports Club where winners were announced and runners came together to bond over sore feet and a need for food and water.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfXdo5Wjfe1/?tagged=pirates21km
The race’s first woman, Mamorallo Tjoka, came in at a time of 01:22:05 while Joel Mohau was the men’s winner in a time of 01:09:00.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfVF3LdHMgM/?tagged=pirates21km
https://www.instagram.com/p/BfX49QfHdcE/?tagged=pirates21km
ALSO READ: Pirate’s tough 21 – a marathon to remember
