Among the familiar faces stepping up for the setters gun in Saturday’s Mapungubwe Marathon held at Seshego Stadium were 800 m Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya, Comrades Marathon gold medallist Rufus Photo and former Comrades winner Ludwick Mamabolo.
Semenya, recently named South African Sports Woman of the Year joined Mamabolo and Sport, Arts and Culture MEC Onicca Moloi in the 5 km fun run. Photo who finished 19th at the International Association of Ultra Runners’ 100 km World Championships in Los Alcàzares, Spain in November entered the 21,1 km for men.
The event drew entries from across the province and elsewhere and nearly 500 athletes took to the course with Peu Tlou from Bedfordview Athletics Club first to cross the finish line in the 10 km for men in a time of 28.35 and Desmond Mokgobu from Boxer Athletics Club winning the 21 km for men in a time of 01:06.41.
Samukeliso Moyo from Maxed Elite Athletic Club crossed the finish line first in the 21 km women’s race in a time of 01:28.45. KPMG Running Club’s Yandiswa Shange won the 10 km women’s race in a time of 36.54.
Moloi said it was good to see aspiring athletes, casual runners and professional athletes at the same place. “The main aim was to promote a healthy lifestyle and inspire aspirant athletes hence we invited Caster, Rufus and Ludwick.
“They are the face of athletics in the province and in the country and we wanted them to inspire other athletes,” Moloi said.
Story and photos: Herbert Rachuene
>>herbert@mailbox.co.za
Featured photo: Caster Semenya with PopUpGym members Khethiwe Mlangeni and Letshego Zulu during the Mapungubwe Marathon.
Mapungubwe Marathon results for website
21 km – Men
Open
Desmond Mokgobu (Boxer), 01.06:41; 2. Tebogo Pilusa (Dwarsrivier) 3. Vuyisile Tshoba (Adidas)
Seniors
Herbert Mokgala (Cool Running), 01.13:36; 2. Lucky Bhembe (DCSMC) 3. Norman Mohlahlana (Khosa)
Veterans
Lazarus Seroka (RWFL) 01.18:50; 2. Thomas Ngovhveni (Greater Elim) 3. Petrus Japane (Pietersburg RR)
Masters
Bobby Sacco (PAC) 01.48:47
Juniors
Ikageng Gaorekwe (UJ) 01.09:01 (4th overall) 2. Jacob Khomola (KPMG) 3. Kgopotso Ramaoka (Moletjie)
21 km – Ladies
Open
Samukeliso Moyo (Maxed Elite) 28:45; 2.Nandipha Dywili (Nedbank) 3.Thobile Vilakazi (KPMG)
Seniors
Samukeliso Moyo (Maxed Elite), 01.28:45; 2. Priscilla Dlamini (DCMS)
Veterans
Jane Mudau (Pietersburg R.R.), 01.34:45 (4th overall); 2. Elizabeth Mamabolo (Eskom) 02.41:05.
Masters
Selinah Netshisaulu (RAC) 02.08:31; 2. Adel Ramaesela (UL SPORTS)
Juniors
Thobile Vilakazi (KPMG) 01.32:56; 2. Thabiso Mabasa (Tzaneen) 3. Popi Netshifefhe (Pietersburg R.R.)
10 km – Men
Open:
Tlou Peu (Bedfordview) 28:35; 2. Reghen Magwai (Tembisa) 3.Lesiba Peu (Bedfordview)
Seniors
Bethuel Netshifefhe (Pietersburg Road Runners) 31:42; 2. Matime Mashabela (Pietersburg R.R) 3. Frans Ramaila ( UL Sports)
Veterans
Peu Sekote (S.A. Police) 39:37; 2. David Nkuna (Eskom) 2. Johannes Phago (Moletjie) 3.Jannie Sacco (Polokwane)
Juniors
Ryan Mphalele (Tembisa) 30:21; 2.Phenyo Chidi (Tembisa) 3.Solomon Moja (UL Sport)
Walkers
Emmanuel Mukondeleli (RWFL) 54:09; 2.Phuti Mohale (Pietersburg R.R) 3.Lucky Kekana
10 km – Ladies
Open
Yandiswa Shange (KPMG) 36:54; 2. Andronica Mokgotla (Nedbank) 3. Gift Ramabele (Eskom)
Senior
Tsholofelo Tsiane (Polokwane) 41:24
Veterans
Sarah Mahlangu (Ricoh) 43:25; 2. Muthupei Managa (Vhembe).Yoelanda du Plessis (RWFL)
Juniors
Yandiswa Shange (KPMG) 36:54 (1st overall); 2.Ramabu Choene ( Moletjie) 3.Elizabeth Hutamo (TEMP)
Walkers
Makhadzi Madi (Eskom) 01.06:33; 2. Yoelanda du Plessis (RWFL) 3. Ansie Marais (RWFL)
21 km race in a time of 1:06.1.
21 km race in a time of 01.06:41.
