Northgate Road Race sees record numbers in 21st edition

NORTHGATE – About 3 000 runners take part in the 21st annual Northgate Road Race.

July 11, 2017

Nicholas Zaal 2 minutes read

Runners head off at the start of the Northgate Road Race.

The Northgate Road Race smashed its record for the number of entries this year, as young and old braved the hills of Randburg for a 10km race and 5km fun run.

A whopping 3 000 runners completed the 21st annual event, up from 2 000 last year.

The runs were on the hilly streets around Northgate Shopping Centre , which hosted the event in conjunction with Roodepoort Athletics Club on a sunny 9 July.

“It was special to see so many families come through, we had loads of children,” said the shopping centre’s marketing manager, Natalie Kinsley. “Everybody had a good time and we were blessed with good weather.”

Runners take it easy down the first slope.

The athletics club’s chairperson, Charlie Herselman said many of the runners had finished the Comrades Marathon a month before and this was their first competitive run after a break. Furthermore, the run is traditionally used to kick-start training for longer runs later in the year.

The atmosphere was jubilant, and after the event, many stayed around until prizegiving to talk about their run and compare medals.

Phillimon Mathiba of Nedbank wins the 10km race.

“The race was easy and I came prepared for it,” said Phillimon Mathiba of Nedbank, who won the 10km run in 00:31:00. “It is my season for good times.”

Maria Vilakazi (41) of Run/Walk For Life was the second woman to finish the 10km and joked that it was “nice to chase the youngsters”. “It was a good run, tough but nice. It was well organised,” she said.

Maria Vilakazi celebrates being the second woman to finish, and beating so many runners younger than her.

Deirdre Larkin (85) completed yet another 10km race, and normally runs 60 races per year despite her age. “The Northgate Road Race is always fun and well organised. The first half was difficult with wriggling hills, but the second half was easy,” she said.

Anna Monate, Elizabeth Chobane and Bernice Chobane enjoy the event.

Mother of Peace orphanage and the Lighthouse Baby Shelter benefited from the run as the charities received R5 from each runner’s entrance fee, which came to around R15 000.

The 10km winners