Kebelo, Cornelia conquer Ubank on home soil
Two Randfonteiners won the men and women divisions at the U Bank Challenge held just two days before the new year.
Kabelo Melamu and Cornelia Joubert, two of the town’s top runners were both in a champion mood when they were first to cross the finish line in their respective divisions at the 10km Ubank Challenge on Sunday, 30 December.
In the open men’s section and unlike last year, Kabelo made sure to take the lead from the word go, leaving other competitors behind as the runners approached the Randfontein CBD. Kabelo, a former African 5 000m champ and CGA Junior Athlete of the Year from Mohlakeng put up a good showing to finish in first place in a time of 30 minutes and 19 seconds.
His KMPG teammate and training partner Itumeleng Sesiko was second with a time of 31 minutes and 21 seconds, followed by Thato Pule of Thembisa in third with a time of 31 minutes and 36 seconds.
“It was my intention from the start to finish in around 30 minute and I am very happy to have won here on home soil this time around,” Kabelo said.
Motlatsi Sesing, coach of both Kabelo and Itumeleng heaped praise on the athletes and was thrilled by the first and second finishes for the two KPMG athletes who both hail from Mohlakeng.
In the open women’s section Cornelia Joubert of Boxer Club, another local, claimed another win for Randfontein with a time of 37 minutes and 7 seconds to leave Yandiswa Shange of IND in second place in a time of 39 minutes and eight seconds. Hot on her heels in third place was Hanli Esthebeth of Pukke in a time of 39 minutes and 27 seconds.
“We are happy to have been a part of the race. We could have had a better field of participants but we are satisfied with the organisation of the event. As Ubank, we chose to be involved in the mining areas where there clientele is based,” added Max Modise, U Bank Head of Marketing.
Other results are as follow:
Junior boys (15 to 19)
• First – Itumeleng Sesiko of KPMG in 31 minutes and 21 seconds
Veteran men (40 to 49)
• First – Sello Moiloa of Kagiso Striders in 35 minutes and 55 seconds
Masters men (50 to 59)
• First – Amos Ngkeri of Nedbank in 39 minutes and 7 seconds
Grandmaster men (60 to 69)
• First – Israel Morake of ISMO in 35 minutes and 44 seconds
Junior girls (15 to 19)
• First – Yandiswa Shange of IND in 39 minutes and 8 seconds
Veteran women (40 to 49)
• First – Nomasonto Skhosana of Awesome in 47 minutes and 51 seconds
Masters women (50 to 59)
• First – Sarah Mahlangu of Sunninghill in 49 minutes and 2 seconds
Grandmaster women
• First – Selinah Netsisaule of RAC in 1 hour, 3 minutes and 17 seconds
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