Stunning victory by Tuks and UJ runners
BLAIRGOWRIE – Students put on an outstanding performance during the 10km Road Run.
Tuks Athletics Club runner Michael Pienaar could not believe his eyes after he conquered the Rand Athletics Club’s 10km Road Run in a time of 00:30:21.
More than 100 runners from across Joburg tackled this race on 21 May – some in final preparation for the Comrades Marathon while others did it to improve their running abilities.
The race was also to honour the late runner Deon Ollewagen, who collapsed and died during an Alberts Farm Parkrun on 13 May.
While all eyes were on the JG Zuma Marathon 2017 winner, Raphael Segodi who came in second in a time of 00:30:29, Pienaar stunned many (including himself) with his outstanding victory.
Segodi led most of the race, but Pienaar managed to take advantage of his uphill weakness and pushed hard until the finish line.
After the victory, the 21-year-old shared his thoughts about the race.
“It was a great race, the guys pushed from the beginning. To start on such an uphill it’s always difficult in a 10km, but the guys pushed very hard.”
Pienaar added that along the route they started leaving behind other runners to a lesser competitive group. “With about 6km to go, we dropped to a group of about three runners and then it was about two guys when we raced to the finish line.”
Pienaar highlighted that the win was his greatest achievement. “About three years ago I ran the race and I finished 28th. This is a bit of an improvement and I’m very happy.” He also mentioned that he sees himself competing on the world stage one day.
In the women’s race, University of Johannesburg runner Rachel Leistra (20) lost by a few minutes to the celebrated Nedbank runner and JG Zuma woman’s marathon winner, Mamorallo Tjoka, who clinched victory in a time of 00:35:11.
Leistra, who took second place in 00:38:08, told Randburg Sun that her promising run was in preparation for cross-country selection for the South African Championships in September.
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